Turn Fort
Tung Fort, also known as Kathingad Fort, is an ancient hill fort which is located in Pune, Maharashtra in ranges of Sahyadris, close to Lonavala. The fortress is built at 1075 m. Presently among hikers, this cone-shaped steep climbs which has narrow way on the edge of mountains. Fortification can be reached after a 400 m steep climb from Pawana dam.
Tungwadi is located around 300 m from Kathingad or Turn Fort. Rulers of the Adil Shahi Dynasty (Bijapur Sultanate), before 1600 CE. ruled here. It was later occupied under Maratha Empire by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It was a fortification and around 200 soldiers were stationed here. The size and arrangement hints that it was used as an observation tower for observing enemy forces & prisoners.
- The site offers a panoramic view of Maval region of Pawana and Mulshi valley, it was a watchtower of the region.
The Dhamale clan was entrusted with the security of Tung Fort. The Dhamale family was one of the Deshmukh from Maval region. The fortress provided temporary diversion for raiders and rival forces during invasions and enemy attacks. This provided the more important Lohagad Fort and Visapur Fort to prepare for the attacks.
The fortress is oval shaped and consists of strongly fortified walls and ramparts. It also has several bastions. There is a temple in slopes. The fort also has a rocky staircase that has a water cistern. At the top of the hill, ruins of ancient temple site have been discovered. The forts of Korigad, Tikona, Visapur and Lohagad can be clearly viewed from the top of Tung Fort.