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 in 1646, at the age of 16, forming the nucleus of the Maratha empire.
| Location | Velhe, Dist. Pune, Maharashtra |
|---|---|
| Type of fort | Giridurg (Hill/ Mountain Fort) |
| Height of the fort | 1400 meters above sea level |
| Other names of the fort are | Prachandgad, Nabishahgad, FutuhAlGhaib (Meaning : Divine Victory), The Eagle’s Nest |
| Important Historical Records of Torna | Shivaji Maharaj won the Torna in 1646. Later, on 10 March 1704, the Mughals conquered the fort under the leadership of Amanatullah Khan and renamed it to 'FutuhAlGhaib' which means the divine victory. |
| Map | Click here |
History
In the seventeenth century, normally, the one who possessed the fort would also rule the province around. Owing to this fact, Shivaji Maharaj restored many a forts in his territory and built a few new ones too. Torna too was restored by Shivaji and was renamed “Prachandgad”.
History records Fort Torna as nothing less than a shining ‘knight’ in Shivaji Maharaj's ‘Swarajya’. All the fortresses of Maharashtra have such a special history to themselves. Torna has its own too. At the tender age of sixteen, when Shivaji Maharaj pledged to establish Swarajya, Torna - which was then in the possession of the “AdilShah of Vijapur” was the first fort that he sieged. It was here that he took the oath of “Swarajya” or in other words the “Swarajya” was festooned(Toran in Marathi) here and hence the name Torna as per some historians. A few others believe that a kind of flower known as the toran bloomed here in abundance and hence the name Torna. After capturing the fort, as Shivaji Mahraj was inspecting it, the vast stretch of it made him name it as “Prachandgad” (the huge fort)
As one moves along the Pune-Bangalore national highway towards Bangalore, one can exit at Nasrapur to reach the Velhe village. Velhe is a Taluka place in Pune district. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation offers bus service to Velhe from Swargate in Pune. There is another route on the way to Khanapur village from the Khadakwasla dam via Pabeghat. It is an excellent route to experience the nature’s beauty in the Shayadris if one is travelling in a private car.
History holds no proof as to when was Torna built and by whom? But the dilapidated remains of the temples located on the fort have certain tales to tell. During the Bahamani rule from 1470 to 1486, Malik Ahmed had won the fort for it. Later, the fort was under control of Nizamshahi and Adilshahi. Shivaji Maharaj conquered the Torna fort at the age of sixteen and festooned his Swarajya. A treasure was discovered near the “kothi darwaza” of Torna while it was being repaired and restored. A part of it was used to build “Rajgad” on the Murumbdev hill and a part of it was also used in the restoration of Torna itself. This very Rajgad served as the capital of Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya for years to come.
Similar to the three maachis on Rajgad– the Padmavati, Sanjivani and Suvala, Torna has two maachis called as Zunzar and Budhala too. The Zunzar maachi though smaller in expanse is very difficult to climb. Budhala is stretched in between Rajgad and Torna.
Torna (Prachandgad ) is the tallest fort in Pune district. The fortification of the fort still stands strong. Torna is characterised by the river basins of “kanad” river on the north side and the “veldandi” in the south with the kanad ravine on the west and “baman and khareev” on the east. The first door on our way up to the fort is called as the “binni darwaza” which further leads us to the “kothi darwaaza”.
Toranjai Devi Temple (Kothi Darwaaza) and Mengai Devi Temple : There is a small temple in the ashlar stoned wall near the Kothi darwaaza. It hosts the statue of goddess Toranjai. Historical records speak of an episode of Shivaji’s Mavalas finding pots full of “Moharas”(currency of that time) in the excavation here. Further on the fort one comes across the “Toran” and “Khokad” water tanks. Close to it is a temple of goddess Mengai devi. Visitors and fort lovers camp here in case of overnight stays. The villagers of “Velhe” village celebrate the festival on the fort during “Navaratri”.
Jhunjar Machi : As we proceed from the Mengai Devi temple towards the “Hanuman Buruj”, we can climb down the bastion wall and use the “dindi darwaaza” to go to “Jhunjar Maachi”. The route to the same is not an easy one and proves much dangerous during the monsoons. Tourists coming towards the “Maachi” thus need to be alert and careful. While the monsoons fog the “Maachi, summers offer a beautiful sight of the vast expanse of the area.
The Mahadev Temple Of Torneshwar : The area surrounding the Mengai Devi Temple shows the remains and the ruins of the architecture that once adorned the fort. The route towards “Budhala Maachi” from the “Mengai Devi” Temple has another temple – the “Torneshwar Mahadev Temple”. This area too is fogged in monsoons but the summers allow a clear exhibit of “Rajgad”, “Kenjalgad”, “Rohida”, “Sinhagad”, “Purandar”, “Vajragad” and other areas in the vicinity of Torna.
Budhala Maachi : This maachi is on the west side of the fort. There is a “Cheetah darwaaza” at the end of it. As we move back to the fort from the “Budhala Maachi”, we come across the “Konkan Darwaaza”, the “Takmak Buruj”, and the “Shivganga” and “Patalganga” water tanks. One way from here leads to the “Bhagat Darwaaza” and the other to the “Ghodjin Tok”. “Bhagat Darwaaza” opens a pathway to “Rajgad” which is dangerous in monsoons as the route gets difficult and steep as we move forward.
BaleKilla (The Citadel) : This is the highest point of the Torna fort. As we return back towards the “Mengai Devi” temple after watching the breathtaking beauty of sahyadris from the “Budhla Maachi” , the remains of the citadel appear evident. The citadel offers a clear view of the vast expanse of the Torna fort. It is because of this vast expanse that Shivaji Maharaj thought of naming the fort as “Prachandgad”
The Fort Torna witnesses a surge of visitors during the holidays from Pune and the vicinity. These tourists, whilst appreciating the beauty of nature from this eagle’s nide situated in the Sahyadri Mountain Range, should also be focussing on one’s own security and not being overly enthusiastic and adventurous. This fort is a much difficult climb in comparison to the other forts in Pune district.
