Yerwada Central Jail

Yerwada Central Jail is a noted high-security jail in Yerwada, Pune, in Maharashtra. This is the largest jail in the state of Maharashtra, and also one of the largest prisons in South Asia, housing over 3,600 prisoners (2005) spread over various barracks and security zones, besides an open jail just outside its premises. Many well known freedom fighters individuals including Mahatma Gandhi have been jailed here.OverviewThe campus is spread over 512 acres, holds over 3,600 prisoners and is one of the largest prisons in South Asia. Within the campus, the main high security jail is protected by four high walls and is divided into various security zones and barracks it even has egg-shaped cells meant for high-security prisoners. It has been known for overcrowding and poor living conditions after news reports in 2003 lead to Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MHRC) issuing a notice.HistoryYerwada Central Jail was built in 1871 by the British, when it was outside the city limits of Pune.Under British rule, the jail housed many freedom fighters especially between 1930–42, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhas Bose and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1924, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was also kept in the jail. Mahatma Gandhi spent several years in Yerwada Jail during India's freedom struggle, notably in 1932 and later in 1942 during the Quit India movement, along with many other freedom fighters. During his 1932 imprisonment, which started after his arrest in January 1932, Gandhi went on an indefinite fast to protest against the Communal Award on 20 September 1932, as a result of which the Poona Pact was passed, which he signed in the jail on 24September 1932 and was released in May 1933.