Tung Fort Information (Tung Fort / Kathinagad)
 |
| Tung Fort / Kathinagad |
📍 Location :
Tung Fort is located in the Maval taluka of Pune district in the state of Maharashtra, in the catchment area of Pavana Dam, near Khandala and Lonavala, in the Western Ghats, i.e., the Sahyadri mountain range.
This fort is also known by the name Kathinagad.
📏 Height :
The fort is situated at a height of 3526 feet above sea level, i.e., 1075 meters.
🚍 Transportation Routes to Reach Tung Fort :
Mumbai and Pune are international locations.
From Mumbai, one can reach Lonavala and then travel via Ambi Valley Road to Ghusalkhamb, from there via Javan–Tungi route to the Hanumant Temple located at the foothill of Tung Fort by private vehicle, and from there one has to climb the fort on foot.
From Pune, Tung Fort can be reached via Pimpri–Chinchwad, Khandala and Lonavala.
Tung Fort is 26 kilometers away from Lonavala.
Tung Fort is 67 kilometers away from Pune.
👀 Places to See on Tung Fort :
🚗 Hanumant Temple परिसर :
By private vehicle through Javan–Tung Road, one reaches the Hanumant Temple area located at the foothill of the fort. Vehicles can be parked there, and after taking darshan of Hanumant, one can begin the fort exploration.
🛕 Hanumant Temple :
At the foothill of the fort, one can see a newly constructed Hanumant Temple. The beautifully crafted idol painted in vermilion color fills the mind with devotion at first sight.
Since Hanumant is considered a remover of obstacles and a symbol of strength, his idol is commonly installed on every fort and in the surrounding areas.
⚔️ Veergal (Hero Stones) :
Further along the path, several Veergal placed together at one location can be seen. These Veergal are erected in memory of warriors who attained martyrdom while fighting bravely to protect freedom.
The Veergal on Tung Fort were erected in memory of Hindu warriors who repelled invasions during the Swarajya period.
These warriors sacrificed their lives to protect Maharashtra, the nation, religion, women, cow mothers, and the surrounding region, and these Veergal symbolize their sacrifice.
Earlier, these Veergal were scattered. To preserve them, the Ghati Mavalas of Sahyadri Durg Pratishthan gathered and installed them here, thereby opening a path to convey history to the new generation.
After paying respect to these Veergal, one feels inspired to begin the steep climb towards the fort.
🧗♂️ Steep Stairway Route :
After viewing the Veergal and climbing further, a stairway route begins. This route had been destroyed due to British attacks and heavy erosion caused by rainfall. Recently, it has been repaired and reconstructed.
C.Shivaji-era steps can also be seen here, known as the Swarajya Steps.
The ascent is extremely difficult and challenging. Iron rods and ropes have been installed at various places, which help climbers reach the top safely.
🛕 Chapatdan Maruti Cave Temple :
While climbing the fort, a Maruti temple carved into the rock can be seen along the route. Inside, a beautifully sculpted idol painted in vermilion color is visible.
💧 Water Tank :
Near the Maruti temple, a water tank carved into the rock can be seen.
🛖 Cave Guard Post (Layan Devdi) :
A little further up, a guard post carved into the rock for watchmen can be seen. Even today, trekkers and fort lovers use it as a resting place.
⚔️ Ranmandal Path :
While approaching the fort gate, there is a path with a steep cliff on one side and a deep valley on the other, with a narrow walkway in between that allows a maximum of two people at a time. This is known as the Ranmandal Path.
If enemies advance toward the fort gate, it becomes easy to confuse and trap them. Stones can be hurled from the cliffs, and small advancing enemy units can be destroyed. The enemy cannot launch a powerful attack here.
🚪 Main Entrance Gate :
After crossing the Ranmandal Path, the main entrance gate of the fort appears. The massive doorway made of igneous black stone, constructed using stones extracted while carving water tanks and other carved rocks, attracts attention.
Due to restoration of the adjoining steps and other structures, the ancient glory of the fort has been revived.
🛡️ Chilhkat Bastion :
From the side of the fort gate, by walking along a narrow path, one can reach the double-armored Chilhkat Bastion on the opposite side. Due to neglect over time, a significant portion has collapsed, yet the bastion still remains in fairly good condition.
This bastion, with double fortification, was ideal for surveillance and monitoring enemy movements.
🚪 Tongue-shaped Gate inside the Bastion :
After entering through the main gate, a steep stairway is encountered, leading to a bastion. Upon climbing up, a crescent-shaped turning area is seen. On the inner side, a door is visible, known as the Tongue-shaped (Jibhi) Gate.
On the bastion opposite this gate, a carved idol of Hanumant can be seen.
🛖 Guard Rooms :
On the inner side, rooms built for guards to rest can be seen. Soldiers of the garrison used these rooms for resting.
🛕 Ganesh Temple :
After passing through the Jibhi Gate and climbing upwards, a Ganesh temple can be seen at a higher elevation. This simply constructed temple recalls memories of ancient times. It has recently been renovated.
💦 Rock-cut Water Reservoirs :
During the Shivaji era, rock-cut reservoirs were carved in low-lying areas along natural water flow paths to collect mountain water.
These reservoirs were designed to fulfill the drinking and daily water requirements of the fort.
Stones extracted during excavation were used to construct fort walls and other structures.
Several wild banana plants can be seen growing near these reservoirs.
🏯 Balekilla (Citadel) :
While ascending the upper part of the fort via a narrow and steep pathway, several rock-cut water tanks can be seen at various locations.
🚩 Balekilla Flag Post :
At the highest peak of the fort, a flag post can be seen.
On the tall and majestic Balekilla, a small renovated temple dedicated to Tungai Devi can be seen.
The fort derives its name Tung from this goddess.
🏚️ Other Remains :
At various places on the fort, remains of collapsed residential structures and other constructions can be seen.
📜 Historical Information of Tung Fort (Kathinagad) :
The caves carved on this fort date back to the Satavahana period.
Earlier, this region was under the rule of the Satavahana and Yadava Hindu dynasties.
During that time, long caves and water cisterns were excavated here.
The fort was constructed to keep watch over the trade routes of Pavana Maval leading to Konkan.
In the years 1482–83 CE, the Persian text Burhan-e-Masari written by Syed Ali Tabataba mentions this region as Tung Aranya.
In 1482–83 CE, Ahmad, son of Malik Naib, conquered Junnar and the Konkan region, bringing the Tung area under Bahmani rule.
During the Yadava and Bahmani periods, this hill was used as a watch post.
After the division of the Bahmani Sultanate, the fort came under the Nizamshahi rule.
A surveillance camp was established here to monitor the Konkan trade route.
After the fall of Nizamshahi in 1636 CE, the fort came under Adilshahi rule.
In 1656 CE, after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured the Maval region, the fort was incorporated into Swarajya.
On 4 September 1656, the names of several forts were changed.
Considering its difficult location, the fort was named Kathinagad.
In 1665 CE, during Mirza Raja Jai Singh’s Purandar campaign, Diler Khan plundered villages around Tung but failed to capture the fort.
Under the Treaty of Purandar in 1665 CE, Tung Fort was handed over to the Mughals.
After escaping from Agra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort.
After the death of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the Mughals besieged and captured the fort in 1704 CE.
Amanullah Khan, also known as Alivardi Khan, was appointed here and renamed the fort Bankigad.
Later, Kuvarmal, son of Kartaldas (the Killedar of Tikona / Vitandgad), and subsequently Abhayram, served as fort commanders.
After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 CE, Daryasarang Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre brought the fort back under Swarajya.
On the advice of Peshwa Shrimant Balaji Vishwanath, the fort was handed over to Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
In 1818 CE, British officer Colonel Prether attacked the fort with artillery, destroyed the steps, captured the fort, and vandalized the structures to prevent Maratha uprisings.
Later, the fort was handed over to the Bhor princely state.
After India’s independence and the merger of Bhor state into India, the fort came under the Government of India.
With the help of the Archaeological Department of India, Shivaji devotees, fort lovers, Sahyadri Pratishthan, and local people, several conservation works are being carried out to preserve Shivaji-era history.
✨ Such is the complete historical information of Tung Fort (Kathinagad).
