Torna Fort information in English
The first toran of Swarajya was built and its gate was opened
If the title of the first Shiledar of Swarajya is to be given, it can only be given to 'Kille Toranya'
Location:
This hill fort is located in the Sahyadri mountain range near Velhe village in Velhe taluka of Pune district in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
Height:
Its average height is 1403 meters/ 4603 feet.
Geographical location:
This fort is located 51 kilometers southwest of Pune city in Maharashtra near Velhe village, and the Kanad river valley is located to its north. Kanad Khind is on the west side, Khariv Khind is on the east, Velkhand River is on the south side and Torna Fort is located in between them.
• Travel route to Torna Fort:
1) From Nasrapur village on Pune-Satara Road, 68 km inside. You can reach Velhe and walk from there to Torna Fort.
2) From Pune, go to Velhe via Panshet and from there to Torna.
3) From Pune, go to Velhe via Khanapur and from there to Torna.
Once you reach Velhe village, you can reach the fort in two ways.
1) From Velhe village, a forest path through Vegre Ali leads to Torna Fort. There is a difficult climb path to reach here. There is a deep valley on one side while going along this path. For protection, the Archaeological Department has prepared an iron wire support path. You can reach Torna Fort through that path via Bini Darwaza.
2) There is a village called Bhatti at a distance of four to five km from Velhe village. From there, you can reach the fort through Konkan Darwaza (Western Gate) via a forest path. It takes about three hours to climb the fort.
How did Torna Fort get the name Torna?
• Shivaji first conquered this fort and built the Mangal Toran of Swarajya. That is why it must have got the name Torna.
The name Torna may have been derived from the presence of many Toran fruit trees in the vicinity of this fort.
• There is a temple of Toranjai Devi on this fort. And the name Torna may have been derived from the name of that goddess.
There are three such schools of thought.
Places to visit in Torna fort:
• Bini Darwaza:
After climbing up the forest path from Velha, we come across a small door. Its name is Bini Darwaza. From there, this path of stairs leads to the big door on the fort.
• Mahadarwaja Fort Torna:
Like other forts, the main door of this fort is very large. And this door is built in black stone without using any lime or cement, just by inserting a notch in the stone. Protective pointed bolts are hammered on this door. So that the enemy can be injured while attacking the door.
This door is built in the cow mouth style.
After entering through this door, deodyas are built inside for the guards to rest. There are stone steps in the wall on the right side at a short distance. Using which we can go up and down to the top of the door. We can also watch.
• Toranjai Temple:
After entering through the Mahadarwaja, there is a temple of Goddess Toranjai at a short distance to the left. This idol made of black stone is very beautiful. Also, idols of other gods can be seen here.
It was here that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj found treasure chests containing gold coins and jewels, which were used to build the first capital of Swarajya on the Murumbadeva hill.
Khokad Tank:
After walking further from Toranjai Temple, we come across a small built water tank. It is called Khokad Tank. It was used to meet the water requirement of the fort.
• Mengai Devi Temple:
After walking further from Khokad Tank, we come across Mengai Devi Temple. This is a habitable place. Fort lovers settle here after coming to see the fort. They take rest.
• Toraneshwar Mahadev:
There is a Shiva temple in front of Mengai Devi Temple. Outside Nandi and inside the idol of Mahadev can be seen. Outside this temple, sculptures carved in stone can be seen in front. They are called Smriti Shila.
• Konkan Darwaza:
After visiting Toraneshwar and climbing a little, we come to a door at the top of the fort. It is the Konkan Darwaza. It is still in good condition. It has a triple groove frame, and the side wall was slightly damaged. It has been repaired by the Archaeological Department. The difference between the Shiva-era construction and the current construction is felt here. From this door, we can go to Budhla Machi. We can see that these doors of this fort have been built using creativity and are strong. Today, this door is in good condition. The form of the built structure can be seen on its inside. And this door is an excellent example of Shiva-era construction.
• Budhla Machi:
If Sinhagad is a lion's den, then Torna is an eagle's nest.'
After exiting the Konkan Darwaza, a footpath takes us to Budhla Machi. The Archaeological Department has made a safe access road with iron rods on both sides. After going further from there, we come to a cone shaped like an oil drum. This is Budhla Machi. This Budhla Machi has a strong wall, and water tanks can be seen here. In the vicinity of this Machi, the remains of some idols are often seen below. Many expert historians say that research should be done here. This will bring more information to light. Connecting this Machi, a mountain trunk goes directly to the Sanjeevani Machi of Rajgad. It serves to connect these two forts.
Below this Machi is a forest of caraway, cactus and bamboo. There are a large number of caraway bushes here. It has medicinal properties.
• Jhunjar Buruj and Jhunjar Machi:
Konkan Darwaza is the gate leading to both Jhunjar Machi and Budhla Machi. From this gate, when you go to Jhunjar Buruj, you can see a beautiful view of Sahyagiri mountain. From here, you have to descend using an iron ladder. You have to descend carefully on a very steep climb. From there, there is an underground gate on foot. After passing through that gate, you will come across Jhunjar Machi, which is a strong fortified structure and surrounded by a deep valley. A small water tank is dug here.
Also, small underground passages and small gates are found in the construction of the tower here. These are the thieves' gates. Katak Mawale used to come and go through this gate, which is adjacent to a deep valley, in times of trouble.
As the name suggests, Jhunjar Machi is also a part of Jhunjar.
The tower used to carry messages. When giving a message to another fort, the tower of the tower was set on fire. And the message was sent. That message was recognized from the other fort.
The bastion of the Torna fort:
The bastion of the fort is located in the upper part. Some constructions are seen here. Rooms must have been built for living at some point.
The saffron flag of Swarajya was hoisted here. And the safe place of the end of the crisis is the bastion.
Also, towers like Hanuman Buruj, Safeli Buruj, Bhel Buruj can be seen on this fort. Also, the strong fortifications and a small path adjacent to it help you to see the fort.
• Seeing the immense expansion of this fort, Chhatrapati Shivaji named it Prachandagad.
• James Douglas, a Western observer, expressed his opinion about the height of the fort as follows,
‘If Sinhagad is a lion’s den. So the torna is the eagle's nest.'
This is the tallest fort in Pune district.
Brief information about the history of Torna Fort:
• In which dynasty was the fort first built? There is no historical evidence available about this. However, Shiva worshippers lived here first. During that period, i.e. in the 12th to 13th centuries AD, some Shaiva caves were built here.
• During the period 1470 to 86 AD, the Bahamani Vizier Malik Ambar took control of this fort.
• After the dissolution of the Bahmani power, it came under the control of the Nirman Shahi Nizamshahi.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji first conquered it at the age of 19, i.e. in the year 1647 AD. And built the Toran of Swarajya. He found gold seals and jewelery pots in this fort. It was used to build the first capital of Swarajya.
• Later, Chhatrapati Shivaji spent 5000 hons on the repair and construction of this fort.
• After the death of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the Mughals captured this fort.
• Later, the Secretary of Swarajya, Shri Shankar Narayan, captured it again and incorporated it into Swarajya.
In the year 1704, Emperor Aurangzeb fought and conquered this fort again. This is the only fort that the Mughals conquered after fighting the Marathas. After this victory, Emperor Aurangzeb named it Futuulgaib, which means Goddess Victory.
• The Maratha chieftain Nagoji Kokate conquered this fort again and included it in Swarajya. From then on, it remained in Swarajya permanently.
This is the history of the Torna fort in brief.
On which the first Torna of Swarajya was built. And a salute to this Gadkota, which gave success to the Maratha Mavalas in their efforts to create Swarajya and instilled confidence.
Torna Fort information in English
