Swatantrapur is a free custodian colony built in 1939 by Raja Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi "Bala Sahib" of Aundh princely state. It is located in between Atpadi lake and Bhingewadi, in Atpadi taluka of Sangli district, of Maharashtra, an Indian state.[1][2][3][4]

History edit

It is believed that during the ancient days, those prisoners who came to behave well in other prisons during their period of punishment were ultimately brought to this jail as a reward. Over here, prisoners were allowed to meet their families and were also given a personal land for farming activities. Growing crops and selling them in the market was permitted so they could earn a living.[5]

In popular culture edit

The Hindi film Do Aankhen Barah Haath is inspired by Swatantrapur and penned by Madgulkar.[6][7]

References edit

  1. ^ "Swatantrapur Vasahat: Life inside a prison without walls". Hindustan Times. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Maha open jail to get fresh lease of life with facelift". DNA India. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Soon, open prison colony for women at Yerawada". punemirror.com. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  4. ^ "The jail that inmates don't want to run from | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  5. ^ "About Open Jail Of Swatantrapur".
  6. ^ 50 years of a Shantaram classic The Times of India, 28 Sep 2006.
  7. ^ "Do Aankhen Barah Haath | दो आँखें बारह हाथ | Sumitra Madgulkar | सुमित्र माडगूळकर". www.gadima.com. Retrieved 5 June 2022.

25°18′N 81°39′E / 25.300°N 81.650°E / 25.300; 81.650