Balaji Janardan Bhanu, popularly known as Nana Phadnavis, was the chief administrator of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa Era in the 18th century. The title of Phadnavis translates to “Office Incharge.” In 1768, the village of Menavali (near the town of Wai) was bestowed upon Nana Phadnavis by Bhavan Rao Trymbak Pant-Pratinidhi of Aundh and Raghunath Ghanshyam Mantri of Satara. During the 1770s, Nana Phadnavis constructed his mansion (Wada) in this village along the banks of the Krishna river. Next to the mansion, he also constructed Menavali Ghat…
