Tung Fort

Maharashtra, India

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Tung Fort, also known as Kathingad, is a historic hill fort located in Pune district, Maharashtra, near Pawna Dam. Built before 1600 CE by the Adil Shahi dynasty, it was later captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is relatively small and could hold only about 200 soldiers, serving primarily as a watchtower to oversee the Maval region, including the Pawana and Mulshi valleys, guarding the road to Pune city.

Its strategic purpose was to act as a temporary distraction during invasions, giving larger forts like Visapur and Lohagad time to prepare defenses. The fort features thick walls, numerous bastions, and an oval shape with a sharp, conical peak that makes it a prominent landmark.

Visitors must climb steep grassy slopes to reach the summit, where ruins of a temple stand alongside water reservoirs carved into the rock. From Tung Fort's peak, several other forts such as Lohagad, Visapur, Tikona, and Korigad are visible. The trek to the fort takes about an hour and offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

The fort's base village, Tungi, is accessible by road or boat via the Pawna Dam, making it a popular spot for trekking and historical exploration. This fort is significant not only for its military history but also for its scenic location in the Western Ghats region.