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 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).

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.

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] After capturing the fort, whilst repairing the fort and digging ruins, he discovered large quantities of gold buried in some unknown time. He used it to build Rajgarh fort among others.^[3]

In the 18th century, the Mughal Empire briefly gained control of this fort after the assassination of Shivaji's son Sambhaji. Aurangzeb, the 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.

⚔️ Symbol of the early Maratha Empire established by Shivaji Maharaj

• 🌄 Famous for its long ridge walk and thrilling routes

• 🌿 Surrounded by lush greenery of the Western Ghats

• 📸 Offers stunning panoramic views and scenic landscapes