Torna Fort

Torna Fort, also known as Prachandagad, is a large fort located in Pune district, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is historically significant because it was the first fort captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1646, at the age of 16, forming the nucleus of the Maratha empire. The hill has an elevation of 1,403 metres (4,603 ft) above sea level, making it the highest hill-fort in the district. The name derives from Prachanda (Marathi for huge or massive) and gad (Marathi for fort).[1]

Torna
Torna Fort
Highest point
Elevation1,403 m (4,603 ft)
Coordinates18°16′33.86″N 73°37′21.78″E 
Naming
English translationतोरणा किल्ला
Language of nameMarathi
Geography
Torna
Location of Torna Fort, Maharashtra
Torna
Torna (India)
LocationPune district, Maharashtra, India
Parent rangeSahyadri Range

History
Torna fort zunjar machi fortification

This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shiva Panth, followers of the Hindu god Shiva, in the 13th century. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort.

In 1643, Chatrapati Shivaji captured this fort at the age of fifteen, thus making it one of the first forts that would become one of the forts of the Maratha empire. Chatrapati Shivaji renamed the fort ' 'Prachandagad' ' as Torna, and constructed several monuments and towers within it.

In the 18th century, the Mughal empire briefly gained control of this fort after assassination of Chatrapati Shivaji's son king Sambhaji. Aurangzeb, the then Mughal emperor, renamed this fort Futulgaib in recognition of the difficult defense the Mughals had to overcome to capture this fort. It was restored to the Maratha confederacy by the Treaty of Purandar.

Location

The fort is about 50 km via Pabe ghat southwest of Pune in the Western Ghats of the Sahyadri mountain ranges at the base village Velhe. One can go from Pune via Satara road and take right at Nasarapur village. This distance is near about 65km. It is the highest fort in Pune district.

Tourism

The Torna Fort is a popular destination for trekkers specially after the south-west monsoon, from September to December. Trekkers can stay in the Menghai Devi temple. The Raigad, Lingana, Rajgad, Purandar fort, Sinhagad are seen from Torna.

  • Torna fort with the zunjar machi fortification on right
  • Fort Walls
  • Statue of Shivaji Maharaj near fort
  • Zunzar Machi at Torna
  • Budhla Machi at Torna
  • Torna From Zunzar Machi
  • Way to Torna
  • Torna from Budhla Machi
  • Way to Rajgad from Torna

References
  1. "chatrapati-shivaji". Retrieved August 19, 2013.
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