Torna Fort holds a special place in Maratha history as one of the earliest forts captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his teenage years, often seen as the starting point of his expanding Swarajya. Historian James Douglas famously described it as the “cradle of the Marathi Empire,” comparing Torna to an eagle’s nest—just as Sinhagad is called the lion’s den—because of its commanding presence and battle-filled past. Named after the “toran” trees found on the fort, Torna lies in Pune district near the base village of Velhe, bordered by the Velvandi river to the south and the Kanad river valley to the north.