Tung Fort

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Tung Fort
तुंग, Kathingad
Peek a boo.jpg
Main entrance to Tung Fort
Elevation 1,075 m (3,527 ft)
Translation तुंग किल्ला (Difficult Fort) (Marathi)
Location
Tung Fort is located in Maharashtra
Tung Fort
Location of Tung Fort in Maharashtra
Location Maharashtra, India
Range Western Ghats
Coordinates 18°39′37″N 73°27′47″E / 18.660273°N 73.463142°E / 18.660273; 73.463142Coordinates: 18°39′37″N 73°27′47″E / 18.660273°N 73.463142°E / 18.660273; 73.463142
Climbing
Easiest route Hike

Tung Fort (or Kathingad; difficult fort in Marathi) is a hill fort in Pune District, India.[1]

Contents

Location

It is about 12 km from Malawli railway station and can also be approached from Lonavala. Tung Fort has an elevation of 1075 m above sea level.[2] After the building of Pawna dam, it is now surrounded by water on three sides. One can ferry across in a boat from Pawna dam to its base village, Tungi.

Tung fort is also named as Kathingad fort. The word 'Kathin' in Marathi means difficult. While climbing, one can experience the difficulty of this fort. The fort is conical and has steep climbs with very narrow route on the edge of the mountain throughout. From Pawana dam, this fort offers a 400-metre climb.

From Lonavala, one can reach the base village Tungwadi around 20 km via Bushy Dam-INS Shivaji-Peth Shahapur-Tungwadi. From Tungwadi village, this fort offers around 300 metres climb.

History

Tung Fort was built before 1600 CE. It was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty but was captured by Shivaji.[3] It is small, not being able to hold more than 200 troops at a time. As such, it would not have been able to defend itself on its own for a long time. Its shape and structure suggests that its main function was as a watchtower guarding the road to Pune city. Dhamale family one of the Deshmukh from maval region was charged with ensuring the security of fort tung. During invasion, it served to provide a temporary distraction for invaders. Thus, the major forts of Visapur and Lohagad would have time to ready themselves (to meet the invading army).[4] This fort served as a watch tower in the past because it from top of the fort,lot of area Maval region of Pawana and Mulshi valley can be seen and thus from the top of the fort,watch on these areas can be kept

Major features

Its sharp conical peak makes Tung Fort a prominent landmark even from a distance. It has an oval shape, thick walls and numerous bastions. A steep climb on grassy slopes leads to a temple. A rocky staircase leads a few feet down to a water reservoir. There are ruins of a temple at the summit. From the top of the fort Lohagad, Visapur, Tikona and Korigad forts are clearly visible.[1][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Gunaji, Milind (2005). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-7154-669-5. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  2. ^ "Friends of Forts". Retrieved 2009-02-09. 
  3. ^ Anant, Krishnáji; Mánkar, Jagannáth Lakshuman (1886). The Life and Exploits of Shivāji. Oxford University. Retrieved 2009-02-09. 
  4. ^ "Life away from life website". Retrieved 2009-02-09. 
  5. ^ "Outlook magazine article". Retrieved 2009-02-09.