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Torna
Torna Fort
Highest point
Elevation1,403 m (4,603 ft)
Coordinates18°16′33.86″N 73°37′21.78″E / 18.2760722°N 73.6227167°E / 18.2760722; 73.6227167
Naming
English translationतोरणा किल्ला
Language of nameMarathi
Geography
Torna is located in Maharashtra
Torna
Torna
Location of Torna Fort, Maharashtra
Torna is located in India
Torna
Torna
Torna (India)
LocationPune district, Maharashtra, India
Parent rangeSahyadri Range

Torna Fort, also known as Prachanda gad, 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 Shivaji I in 1646, at the age of 16. 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]

History

Torna fort zunjar machi fortification

This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shiva Panth in the 13th century. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort. Malik Ahmed, a Bahamani ruler, captured this fort during the reign of Alauddin Khilji during the late 1470s.

In 1646, Shivaji captured this fort at the age of sixteen[citation needed], thus making it one of the first forts that would become one of the forts of the Maratha empire. Shivaji renamed the fort ' 'Prachandagad' ' as Torna, and constructed several monuments and towers within it.[2]

In the 18th century, the Mughal empire briefly gained control of this fort after the assassination of Shivaji's son Sambhaji raje. 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 65 km. 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. Staying at fort isn't allowed as per orders of District Collector, everyone is asked to leave the fort after 5:00pm. The Raigad, Lingana, Rajgad, Purandar fort, Sinhagad are seen from Torna.[3]

Gallery

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Torna Fort.
  1. ^ "chatrapati-shivaji". Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  2. ^ A fort named after the eagle's nest :https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/a-fort-named-the-eagle-s-nest/story-7b3HpQLxp9N2V6YkmQF4lO.html
  3. ^ Agarwal, Rahul. "A REMARKABLE TORNA FORT |Travel guide-2020". Fort Trek. Fundaking Media Labs. Though the origin of this fort is not evident, many believe that it was constructed in the 13th century by Siva Panth, follower of the Hindu God Shiva. This was the first Fort captured by Shivaji in 1649. At his young age, he conquered the fort from Adilshah of Vijapur, forming heart of the Maratha Kingdom. Torna Fort was one among the only two Maratha forts where Shivaji personally hoisted the saffron flag.
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