Which fort, captured by Shivaji at the age of sixteen in 1646, is regarded as the first fort of the Maratha kingdom?

The fort of Torna, also called Prachandagad ("the huge fort"), captured by Shivaji in 1646 at the age of about sixteen, is regarded as the first fort of the Maratha kingdom (the first "pillar" of Swarajya).

About Torna fort:

• It is located in the Pune district of Maharashtra, in the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) mountains.
• It stands at a height of about 1,400 metres, and is one of the highest forts in the region.
• It belonged to the Bijapur Sultanate when Shivaji captured it.
• According to tradition, Shivaji found a treasure while repairing the fort, which he used to build the nearby fort of Rajgad.

Shivaji's early forts:

• After Torna, Shivaji captured or built other forts in the area, such as Rajgad, Kondana (later Sinhagad), and Purandar.
• Rajgad served as his first capital for many years.

Shivaji and forts:

• Forts were the backbone of Shivaji's power.
• He controlled about 300 forts, according to tradition, and built or repaired many of them.
• Each fort was placed under three officers of different castes (havaldar, sabnis and sarnaubat) to prevent treachery.

Other famous Maratha forts:

• Raigad: Shivaji's capital, where he was crowned in 1674 and where he died in 1680.
• Pratapgad: near which Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, the Bijapur general, in 1659.
• Sinhagad (Kondana): captured by Tanaji Malusare in 1670; Shivaji is said to have said, "The fort is won, but the lion is lost" ("Gad aala pan sinha gela").
• Shivneri: Shivaji's birthplace (1630).
• Sindhudurg: a sea fort built by Shivaji.

UNESCO recognition:

In 2025, twelve forts associated with the Maratha military landscape (including Raigad, Rajgad, Shivneri, Pratapgad, Sindhudurg and Gingee) were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Maratha Military Landscapes of India".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Raigad was Shivaji's later capital.
• ✗Pratapgad is linked with Afzal Khan.
• ✗Sinhagad is linked with Tanaji Malusare.