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Being a trekker, I have been able to visit several historical mountain forts in a past few years. But this last trek somehow turned out to be a special one. The trek was to begin from one hill fort and end at another fort. The route was through the local forests and over 13 smaller hills. Both these forts bore tremendous histortical importance as they were the chief fortresses of the Indian warrior king Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire. The trek began climbing the the first fort, Rajgad (1376 m), literally meaning the ruling fort, once had been the captial of the Maratha empire. As we reached the fortress, there ruins of what once would have been a lively amd majestic governance. Now it is just broken walls a temple and a shrine dedicates to the King's first wife. The second fort where the trek ended was Torna (1403 m). This 13th century fort was the first to be captured by the young Maratha king. Here, the air was different. The early morning as we woke to a magnificent sunrise and clear air (from the city), there was a very different feeling. One could help but think and appreciate how the ancients managed climbing such a rocky terrain with their heavy armour and weapons, not to mention the rations for all and their horses and other livestock. At the rampart of the fort one could help but visualize soldiers in their battle armour and well equipped, patrolling for any signs of intrders or distress. It was a mirage. I could not help but image a scence similar to the Battle of Helm's Deep in the second installation of the Lord of the Rings movie franchise. There was a deep prevously unfelt connection with the past. It could be beacuse the historical signifance of the place from where the warrior king Shivaji ruled and expanded his Maratha empire. Such a feeling could also be because of the local residents who were immensely proud of of their heritage and worshipped the king like a living God. No matter the reason, I truelt felt humbled by these hill fortress simply by just being present there and walking the footsteps of one of the bravests kings to be born in India.