Prapanchgad Tower Fort of Swarajya

Torna Fort, also known as Prachandagad, is a large fort in the Pune district of Maharashtra state. It is historically important as it was the first fort captured by Shivaji in 1646 AD. The height of the hill is 1403 meters (4603 ft) above sea level and is the highest hill fort in the district. The name is derived from Prachand (Marathi for vast or colossal) and Gad (Marathi for fort).

Torna Fort or Prachandagad, located in the southwest of Pune district in the western part of the state of Maharashtra, is a major attraction of Maharashtra tourism.Village of Velhe is 50 kms. is at a distance. The first fort in Pune city was captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1643, when he was only 16 years old, and became the center of the Maratha Empire. This fort is at a height of 1403 meters above sea level.

The name of the fort is derived from the words Prachanda, which means vast and Gad, which means fort in Marathi. This hill fort is known as the highest fort situated on top of a hill in the district of Puna Satara Highway in Turna Nasarpur. Travelers have to take the help of Nasarpur road to reach Torna fort. It takes around 2 hours to see this fort properly. Many places can be seen around the fort, like Budhla Machi, Zunjar Machi, Kothi Darwaza, Konkan Darwaza, Menghai Devi Temple, Bini Darwaza, Sadar, Toranjai Devi Temple etc. The fort is now a heritage site.

Evidence is not available today as to when and by whom Torna Fort was built. From the remains of caves and temples here, there must have been an ashram of the Shaivite sect. A.D. Between 1470 and 1486, the fort was conquered by Malik Ahmad for the Bahmani rule.

Later this fort went to Nizamshahi and then Maharaja took it and named it Prachandagad. Some buildings were built on the fort. When the kings came from Agra, they restored many forts, out of which they spent 5 thousand hon on the pylons. After Sambhaji Maharaj sacrificed himself for Swaraj, this fort went to the Mughals. Shankaraji Narayan secretary brought it back to the Marathas.

Later in AD In 1704, Aurangzeb besieged it and captured it after a battle and named it Futuulgaib meaning Divine Victory. After four years, Sarnobat Nagoji Kokate brought the fort back under the control of the Marathas and after that Torana remained in Swarajya forever. Among the forts which were given to the Mughals in the Treaty of Purandar, Torna remained with the Maharajas. Interestingly, this is the only fort of the Marathas which was won by Aurangzeb.

Share of reach:

Velhe is a village at the base of Torna Fort in Pune district. To reach Velhe, reach the Nasrapur junction next to Pune on the Mumbai-Bangalore Highway (NH-4). Nasrapur is 36 km from Pune. Jeeps are available from Nasrapur to Velhe village. Distance from Nasrapur to Velhe is 29 km.

ACCOMMODATION: The newly built Sadar can accommodate around 20 to 30 people. Also, the temple of Mengai Devi on the fort has accommodation for 10 to 15 people. Meals: Meals should be arranged by yourself. Water facility: There is Baramhi water tank right in front of Mengai Devi temple.

Travel time:

1) It takes two and a half hours via Velhe. 2) It takes 6 to 8 hours via Rajgad - Torna.