|
 |
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. |
| Copyright © 2008 to Rajasthan Tour | Home | About Us | Query / Reservation | Contact Us | Sitemap | Resource |  |