Welcome to Torna Fort, the highest hill-fort in the Pune district and a must-visit for all history buffs and adventure enthusiasts! This massive fort, also known as Prachandagad, has a rich history that is both fascinating and hilarious.
Legend has it that Torna Fort was first constructed in the 13th century by the Shiva Panth. But it wasn’t until 1646 that a sixteen-year-old Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort and made it the first of many forts that would become part of the Maratha empire. Shivaji was clearly a boss from a young age, and he wasted no time in renaming the fort ‘Prachandagad’ and constructing a bunch of monuments and towers within it.
Unfortunately for Shivaji, the Mughal empire briefly gained control of the fort in the 18th century after the assassination of his son. Aurangzeb, the then Mughal emperor, was so impressed with the fort’s defenses that he renamed it ‘Futulgaib’. We don’t know about you, but we think ‘Prachandagad’ has a much better ring to it.
These days, Torna Fort is a popular tourist attraction, and it’s easy to see why. The fort’s ruins are fascinating to explore, and the natural surroundings are simply breathtaking. There are seven gates on the path/staircase that leads to the entrance, with the first gate called Binni Darwaza and the main entrance called Kothi Darwaza. The narrow lane with high walls on both sides is an adventure in itself, and it leads to some of the other parts of the citadel, which features figures and flat plains, granaries, guard rooms, rest areas, water tanks, and temples.
If you’re planning to visit Torna Fort, we recommend going during the monsoon season, when the lush greenery and waterfalls make the fort even more magical.
