Bhatkanti - Pune, Forts, Trekking

TORNA FORT: Whenever Maratha history is recalled it is always the fort of Torna that is commemorated for being one of those forts captured by Shivaji Maharaj in his teenage. It has been rightly said by James Douglas "It was Shivaji's first conquest, the nucleus around which all the others clustered, making it virtually the cradle of the Marathi Empire, which shocked the throne of the great Moguls. It has been the scene of many bloody battles. If Sinhagad is Lion's does then Torna is Eagle's nest."

On the fort are found many trees of the type “Toran”, which may be the reason for the name of the fort. The fort is located in Pune district, 18.36 degrees Latitude & 73.37 degrees Longitude. The village at the base of the fort is called “Velhe”. To the south of Torna is the river of Velvandi & to the north is the Valley of Kanad River.

RAJGAD FORT – CAPITAL FORT OF “HINDAVI SWARAJYA”. Rajgad fort was recognized as first political base of “Hindavi Swarajya”. It still can be witnessed as an unchallangable, undisputable and unconquerable fort in ‘Hindavi Swarajya’.

A ‘Murumbadev’ mountain stands adjacent to the vally formed due to Nire, Velvandi, Kanandi and Gunjavani rivers. The same is 48 Kms. From Pune towards South-West direction and 24 Kms. Nort-West of Bhor.

To expand boundaries of Hindavi Swarajya within Maval region, two forts viz. Rajgadand Torna were considered to be at a prime position then. Although, both the forts were equally unchallangable, Rajgad fort scored an edge over Torna fort primarily because of its huge size. Also the approach to Rajgad made it more unique as one has to either cross a mountain or a river to reach Rajgad fort. In view of the above factors, Shivaji Maharaj selected Rajgad as a capital fort and political base of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’. Rajgad has three Machis` and one Citadel. This Citadel is highest of all as it stands 1394 meters above Mean Sea Level (M.S.L.).

Text Contents from Trekshitiz