Information on Torna Fort (Pune, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

Torna Fort is the highest hill fortress in Pune District. This is lesser known ancient fort India for its origin and built. This fort was very important place in the medieval era. It is located at the base of Vilhe Village, Prachandagad, Pune District of Maharashtra State in India.

Torna Fort Architecture

Torna Fort has an altitude of 1403 meters from its foot hills. This fort is totally built with granite stone blocks. Its citadel has few plain lands and has a narrow stretch of fortification built on this top hill. From the base hill to its main fort, there are 7 Gates built here. It has a separate escape door too. The main entrance is a huge stone gate named the as the Kothi Dharvasa. The foot hill entrance gate is named as Bini Dharvasa. This fort is found in the traditional fort form found in the ancient times. Once it was an important fort for the great warriors, but ruined with time or in battles. What is found now is a temple and few ruined structure on its top citadel. But its walls and gates are perfectly fit. There are no damages seen here. It's all major gates are built very high and strong, it also consist the guard rooms. These guard room shows the importance of a great ruler has built this fort as a defensive fort. Its walls are thick and strong and are laid in varied shapes. A Hindu temple is built here which has a single stone carved ditty of a Hindu goddess. There are few granaries and living areas also found here.

Torna Fort History

Torna Fort is also called as the Prachandagad, which literally means a massive fort in Marathi language. It is believed to be built in the 13th century AD by Shivik believers. The Menghai temple is renovated recently and now it is looking good and accessed by peoples for worshiping here. Indian history has rescored of this fort from the 13th century. This fort was occupied by the Bhamani rulers in those days. From the year this fort was taken over by the Nizam Shahi rulers of the central Deccan province. Later for two centuries it was a Maratha province. This was the first ever fort to conquered by the young Shivaji in his teenage. In 1643 AD he built here few extra complexes for his needs and changed its name from Prachandagad Killa to Torna Killa. There are records of finding valuable treasure when they dig for constructing new structures. These treasures were maintained to build a new fort at Raigad in the later years and a new fort was built with the treasure gifted by virtue from this fort. It was once again renamed by the Mughal Kingdom as the Futulgaib Killa. But the Torne name is in fame since named by the great Maratha Emperor Shivaji. Only in the 18th century the Mughal's under the command of Aurangzeb conquered this fort by defeating Maratha king Sambaji, who was the son of Chatrapathi Shivaji. He was killed here in the great battle. Currently this is a heritage site and a protected monument. Thus once can get so many other important historical information here as well as get to know much more about this historical fort, which has kept the time alive of the era gone by amid the mass.

Torna Fort Tourism Significance

Torna Fort is magnificent fort, worth to see in the Shyadri ranges. This fort is found with natural scenic sites of mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Its half pathway has beautiful meadows and the other half way leads with uniquely rock carved steps. It is a medium grade fort. One can get a great trekking experience to reach its top citadel of this fort. Now many tourists come here for trekking and visit this fort. It is also a local picnic spot. Thus once can have wonderful time here, as its not just that you come here to know the excellent of the fort, located amid the greenery of bosom of the Mother Nature, but also to enjoy time with fun and enjoyment with dear ones.