Forts of Rajasthan
» Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Perched
on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent fort
in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 but subsequent rulers of Jodhpur
have also added to it over the centuries. A meandering road leads to the from
the city 5 kms below. Battle scars of canon ball hit by attacking armies of
Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate. To the left is chhatri of Kirat
Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot while defending the fort against
the armies of Amber.
There are seven gates, which include Jayapol meaning victory built by Maharaja
Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol
also meaning victory gate was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat
of Mughals. And Lohapol meaning iron gate has a moving memorabilia on palm print
of the queens of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves on his funeral pyre
in an act of sati [self-immolation]. The palm imprints still attract devotional
attention and are covered by vermilion paste and paper-thin silver foil. This
is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan and certainly the best layed out.
In the palanquin section of the fort museum, you can see an interesting collection
of old royal palanquins including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol palanquin,
which was won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The museum exhibits
the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings and decorated period
rooms.
PHOOL MAHAL
The grandest of Mehrangarh's period rooms, the Phool Mahal was in all likely
hood a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure dancing girls once swooned
in exhaustion here under a ceiling rich in gold filigree. The Phool Mahal was
created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724-1749) and the gold came from Ahmedabad
in Gujarat as war booty after his famous victory over the rebellious Mughal
governor, Sarbuland Khan. The paintings, royal portraits and the ever-popular
raga mala, came much later, in the reign of Jaswant Singh II.
JHANKI MAHAL
The Jhanki Mahal, from where the royal ladies watched the official proceedings,
in the courtyard, today houses a rich collection of the royal cradles. The cradles
are decorated with gilt mirrors and figures of fairies, elephant and birds
» Rohet Fort, Near Jodhpur
Built in the 16th century, the Rohet Garh Fort has arched gateways that lead
to a central compound. All the rooms open into this compound. The resort has
a beautiful décor with carved furniture, mementos and paintings. The
dining hall is decorated with a large collection of antique hunting rifles,
shields, spearheads, daggers, tiger skins and trophies.
Star Rating : Heritage hotel
Location : Centrally Located.
Accomodation : Total No. Of Rooms:25, Double: Information not available,
Suite: Information not available
Amenities : Laundry, Swimming Pool, Bar Pub, Doctor on Call
Services : Information not available
Payment accepted at frontdesk: All major cards accepted.
» Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur
Located
64 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important
citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. Cradled in the Aravali Ranges
the fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. Because of its inaccessibility
and hostile topography the fort had remained un-conquered.
It also served the rulers of Mewar as a refuge in times of strife. The fort
also served as refuge to the baby king Udai of Mewar. It is also of sentimental
significance as it is the birthplace of Mewar's legendary King Maharana Partap.
The fort is self-contained and has within its amalgam almost everything to withstand
a long siege. The fort fell only once that too to the combined armies of Mughal
and of Amber for scarcity of drinking water. Many magnificent palaces an array
of temples built by the Mauryas of which the most picturesque place is the Badal
Mahal or the palace of the clouds.
The fort also offers a superb birds view of the surroundings. The fort's thick
wall stretches some 36 kms and is wide enough to take eight horses abreast.
Maharana Fateh Singh renovated the fort in the 19th century. The fort's large
compound has very interesting ruins and the walk around it can be very rewarding.
The Kumbhalgarh Fort also has a great significance by being the birthplace of
Maharana Pratap and as the finest examples of defensive fortification in Rajasthan.
The most interesting part is that this fort has a fort within itself. Named
Kartargarh, the inner fort has a palace built by Maharana Fateh Singh after
he had pulled down the old palace built by Rana Kumbha.
Some remains of the old palace are still there below the new one which includes
the portion that had been occupied by Prithvi Raj. Kartargarh has 365 temples
and shrines including one with a huge Shivlinga dedicated to Lord Shiva. The
sanctuary is famous for it's wildlife which includes- wolf, leopard, jackal
and a variety of birds. The sanctuary is one of the few parks that allows people
on horseback.
» Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
One
of the most imposing forts of Northern India-- Junagarh Fort has remained unconquered
till date. This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted
generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh.
A high wall and deep moats surround the fort. The 37 bastions guard the fort
and only two gates provide the access inside the fort. The Suraj Pol or the
Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort. The Junagarh Fort has defied all
the attacks except for the brief stint by Kamaran who captured the fort but
was unable to retain his victory more than 24 hours.
Inside the fort is a profusion of 37 palaces, temples and pavilions that are
marvels in red sandstone construction. The palaces have exquisitely carved windows,
balconies, towers and kiosks.The mirrors, paintings and carved marble panels
in the Moon Palace are a treat for eyes. The Phool Mahal or Flower Palace was
adorned with glasses and mirrors. The victory over Aurangzeb was celebrated
by building the Karan Mahal.
The multi-storeyed Anup Mahal was the governance chambers for the rulers. The
beautifully maintained rooms now display the treasures of the Royal family.
Also worth visiting are the Ganga Niwas, Dungar Niwas, Vijai Mahal, and Rang
Mahal. The fort museum has an extensive collection of illuminated manuscripts,
jewellery, jars and carpets, arms and weapons, treaties, decorations and the
'Farmans'.
This fort and it's palaces were built between 1588-1593 by raja Raj Singh, a
general in the army of the Mughal emperor Akbar. It has a 96 mt long wall, with
37 bastions and 2 entrances. The main entrance of the fort is Suraj pol or sun
gate.
The fort enes many palaces amongst which the most spectacular ones are the Chandra
Mahal or Moon palace, the Phool Mahal or Flower palace, both ornated with carved
panels and mirrors and the Karan Mahal.
Karan Mahal was built in remembrance of the celebration of the grand victory
over Aurangzeb. Durga Niwas, a fabulously painted courtyard and Ganga Niwas
which housed a finely carved red sandstone front, are the other places of attraction
in this fort.
» Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
Known
as SONAR QUILA, rising from the sand , the mega structure merges with the golden
hues of the desert ambience and the setting suns in its most colourful shades
gives it a fairy tale look. Its simply a magic, the bastions envelops a whole
townships that consist of palace complex various security sources and the havelis
of rich merchants carved with an incredibly light touch, several temples and
the residential complexes of the armies and traders placed strategically on
the trade route, from where the ancient caravans passed en-route passing all
the riches for the prosperity to an otherwise non source full kingdom.
These merchants served and acquire a great deal of power and noble status in
the royal courts of Bhatti Rajputs who founded the state in the 12th century
and proceeded further. But the rich merchant inspired by the classic style of
the royals , constructed huge mansions (havelis) adjacent to each other in the
nature of medieval culture and profusely decorated walls and ceilings and intricately
carved outdoors and interiors. The colourful art forms and some how side kind
the royal heritage and made it appear more pale in comparison . The craftsmen
were usually muslims who were induced on their journey to exhibit their skills.
The results was architectural purity that cannot be seen elsewhere. Deep in
the heart of the Thar Desert is Jaisalmer, one of the last princely bastions
in the region. Founded on what was the cross - road of lucrative trade routes,
this remote settlement came to be celebrated for the valour of its rulers, and
for the aesthetic sense represented by their palaces and havelis.
The rich merchants engaged stone - craftsmen who worked delicately on the sandstone
mansions they built, filling up facades with sculptural filigree, screen windows,
delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. Today, these veritable art - museums
are still inhabited, and their colourful celebrations and festivals have placed
Jaisalmer Fort firmly on the world tourism map.
The golden - yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer Fort, over 800 years old, crowns
the Trikuta Hill. Within its walls, defended by 99 turrets, lies the old city,
nearly a quarter of modern Jaisalmer. Seen from outside, the sight must be almost
identical to what was seen by merchants on their overland camel caravans to
central Asia. Once this desert outpost was an important gate for the trade route,
and Jaisalmer grew wealthy on the proceeds. But the advent of commercial shipping
relegated the town to relative obscurity.
» Taragarh or The Star Fort, Bundi
It
was built in 1345 and is great ramble around at leisure. This is rather a ramshackle
fort, with its overgrown vegetation.
The view over the town and surrounding countryside from the top are magical,
especially at sun set. Inside the ramparts are huge reservoirs carved out of
solid rock, and the Bhim Burj, the largest of the battle- fields, on which there
is mounted a famous cannon. Taragarh is reached by steep road leading up the
hillside to its enormous gateway. Take a path up behind the chitra Shala, go
east along the inside of the ramparts then left up the steep stone ramp just
before the Dudha Mahal, a small disused building 200m from the palace.
» Fort, Chittaurgarh
A standing sentinel to the courage and valor of Chittaurgarh, it stands tall
over a 180 meter high hillock covering a massive area of 700 acres. The fort
is belileved to have been built by the Maurya rulers in 7th century AD.
The fort is a treasure house of history and historical monuments the approach
to the fort is very difficult, the one mile steep serpentine thoroughfare is
exhaustive and the fort is reached through huge seven pols of gates, which are
in fact the strong points having a watch tower and massive iron spiked doors.
It
was ravaged thrice, and each time phoenix-like it rose again Allaudin Khilji
was the first to sack Chittaur in 1303, legend and history corroborate that
this was because of his passionate desire to abduct Rani Padmini. Yet she preferred
death to dishonor, and committed Jauhar (self immolation) along with the other
ladies of the court. Chitturgarh was plundered again in 1535 by Sultan Bahadur
Shah of Gujarat and finally by the Moghul Emperor Akbar, in 1567, in an attempt
to subdue Maharana Udai Singh.
The fort is approached through massive pols of gates. Near Bhairon Pol, is a
cenotaph or 'chhatra' in honor of the chivalrous Jaimal and his cousin Kala,
who laid down their lives whilst defending Chittaur against the Mughals. Jaimal
who was seriously wounded, but was not ready to die in his bed , thus he was
carried into battle on the shoulders of his cousin Kala , both of them died
while showing exemplary courage.
At Ram Pol is a memorial to Phatta, who was only 16 years old and had just been
married, his father had already died defending Chittaurgarh, and was sent into
the battle by his mother, to free her son from any affection towards home she
herself pickled up sword along with his bride and jumped into the battle field
both of them died in front of Phatta. Next day the women folk of the palace
ended their lives by committing Johar. Phatta leading the saffron robed men
from the front thundered down like lightening from the mighty fortress to die
fighting.
The other major gates are Padal pola and Hanuman Pol, with a distinct Rajput
style of architecture.
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