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

Tung Fort is a grueling hilltop fort in the Western Ghats of Pune. It is a medieval era fort in India, which is a complete stone architect splendid to see. It has a long standing history as watchtower than a fort in the medieval times of Pune region. It is located in the Tungwadi Village, Pune district of Maharashtra State in India.

Tung Fort Architecture

Tung Fort is found in the medieval fort models. These are built in a defensive manner than found in the ancient times. This fort is completely built with the granite stones, which are locally mined from the same hills. This fort is built at an altitude of 1057 meters above the sea level. Its hill top has a natural cone shape peak, making this hill to locate from any place in Lonvala. On the top there is an oval shape plateau, were its fortification is built. From the midway of this hill, there are rock carved steps in a rough rocky terrain, these are very steep and rounds this cone hill tops. The main ramparts occupy the entire ridges of this hilltop. Its ramparts are supported with curved bastions. The main gate is very beautiful to see in freemason's stone works. It has got a natural trench by the virtue of its hill dimensions. These are very steep and very difficult to climb from its mid way to the fort. The inner fort is little bit small and can accommodate nearly 300 peoples. This fort by its structures found here indicates it to be a mega watch tower for this region. There are only few living rooms found here. A unique Hindu temple is built here. It contains a monolith stone carving of the Shiva Ling. It is very beautifully carved in a medium size and placed in the centre of this temple. There is also a goddess temple known as Tungi Devi Mandhir, which is dedicated to these hills. This temple is seen in the typical Hindu art form and looks very much holy in nature. A large water tanks is here, this may be the main water source of this fort.

Tung Fort History

Tung Fort is also locally known as the Kathingad Killa in Marathi, which means a difficult fort. The builder and the main architect of this fort are till unknown in the history. There is record form the medieval era and this fort is said to be built before the medieval period in India. This fort was a very good watch tower for the Maval region and the Mulshi valley. It guarded the main way to the Pune City, many invaders were afraid to pass this area in day light towards the Mumbai and Pune route and vice versa. The Pawana Lake and its back waters flows aside this fort. This makes it to access by the traditional boats to this fort. In 1665 AD this region was invaded by Raja Jai Singh of the Rajput kingdom. From the 17th century the Adil Sha is known to control over this area. But they dint even hold this area for a century. It was soon conquered by the Marathas and stood as the major watch tower for this province. This fort is also one of the forts to be untouched by the European Colonialist in the 18th and 19th centuries. The historical importance of the fort is immense and even today, knowing its importance the tourism department has protected it with care and listing it amid as a heritage monument.

Tung Fort Tourism Significance

Tung Fort is an amazing fort worth seeing in the Lonvala and Khandala hill stations. It is a though fort to from its midway. Trekking is the only way to reach its top, which has many rocky terrains. This fort is a heritage site in the Maharashtra tourism list and a protected monument. Even after being so old, the fort carries immense historical importance and is praised by the visitors, who come here with the motive to explore the fort or to have some wonderful time in an around the location of this heritage fort. The fort also provides a reason for the trekking enthusiasts to plan their trip.