Welcome |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rajasthan's history lies enshrined in its forts and palaces.
Some of the forts were abandoned, and captured, leaving behind
a rich history. While, the palaces which were built outside the
forts are a more recent phenomenon, belonging to the 19th and 20th
centuries, the forts are very old. These forts and palaces provide a
rich legacy of Indo-Saracenic architecture, influenced by the
Rajputs, Mughals and British. The magnificent forts and palaces were
built by various rulers and architects, outside the walled city and used
to protect the city from the foreign invaders and were also built on
high hills overlooking the city. Some of the famous forts and palaces
in Rajasthan are as follows:
|
Chittorgarh
Fort, Chittorgarh |
Chittorgarh is the greatest medieval fort of India and one
of the greatest fort of Rajasthan. It was from here that the
Sisodias went to war against the Mughals at the famous
battle of Haldighati. Chittorgarh fort was established in
the 7th century, and became the seat of the Sisodia rulers.
This fort stands on a 152 m rocky high hills of the Aravallis range and gave
Chittorgarh a great strategic importance. This fort is
defended by seven impressive gates. The Chittorgarh fort was
sacked in 1303 through an act of treachery done by Allauddin
Khilji to win the Rani Padmini and was sacked more in
the 16th century,first to the forces of the
|
|
Sultan of
Gujarat, and later to the Akbar.This fort was later
abandoned by its rulers and several palaces, apartments and
durbar halls were ruined. Some of the ruined palaces are the
Rana Kumbha’s palace, Rani Padmini’s palace, Jaimal and
Patta palace. Some of the buildings that were preserved are
the 22-metre high, 12th century Kirti Stambh and Vijay
Stambh, the 37-metre high victory tower, raised in the 15th
century to commemorate a battle victory against the rulers
of Malwa and Gujarat. The Kumbha Shyam temple, Kalika Mata
temple and Meera temple can also be visited within the fort.
More.... |
|
|
|
Junagarh
Fort, Bikaner |
|
Junagarh fort was built by Raja Rai Singh in 1593 in Bikaner
to protect the 37 palaces, temples and pavilions. Raja Rai
Singh was the general in the army of the Mughal Emperor
Akbar. He built the 986 m. long Junagarh fort by red
sandstone and is encircled by a moat around which spread the
modern city of Bikaner. The Junagarh fort is a very unique
fort of its kind and was not conquered till date, except
when Kamran captured it but could not retain it for over 24
hours. This fort has 37 pavilions which look very impressive
in the morning and evening. The huge columns, arches,
delicate stone screens, minarets, carvings and
paintings |
in
the fort always draws the attention of the visitors. Junagarh consists of several palaces and apartments which
are in a remarkable state of preservation. There are some
palaces which are beautifully decorated like Anup Mahal,
Karan Mahal and Chandra Mahal. These palaces give the
impression of a rich inlay of peitra dura. The apartments
are very richly painted and have been preserved due to the
extremely dry heat conditions of the desert town. The Badal
Mahal recreates paintings of clouds on its walls, a reminder
of the monsoon that often failed the settlement. A formal
set of sandstone staircases, and the wooden Durbar Hall were
added in this palace by the Maharaja Ganga Singh.
More....
|
|
|
|
Kumbhalgarh
Fort, Kumbhalgarh |
The
fort of Kumbhalgarh in Udaipur was the second most important
fort of the Mewar kingdom after Chittorgarh. This
impregnable fortress was raised by Rana Kumbha in the 15th
century, and perched on the top of 13 mountain peaks in the
Aravallis. This fort also provided refuge to the prince Uday
who was smuggled out of Chittorgarh by his nursemaid Panna
Dai, and it was from here that he ruled before establishing
the new capital at Udaipur. It also provided refuge to the
Mughal prince, Jehangir. The 36 km long battlements guard
the bastions |
|
of the fort that over-hung with steep walls. A
steep climb up a narrow road leads to the entrance of the
fort. This fort offers a great strategic and scenic view of
the lower land. Within the fort, Badal Mahal is known for
its exquisite interiors and its soaring height over other
structures. The ancient Jain temples belonging to the
Mauryan period, medieval Hindu temples with fluted pillars,
and a few chhatris or cenotaphs can also be seen here. The
buildings at Kumbhalgarh are mostly intact.
More....
|
|
|
|
Mehrangarh
Fort, Jodhpur |
|
Mehrangarh fort is one of the most stunning hill forts of
Rajasthan. The Mehrangarh fort seems to rise from the bluff-coloured
sandstone hill itself, and so well built into the base that
it is difficult to tell where the hill ends and the walls
begin. From the outside, the Mehrangarh fort is impressive,
and forbidding. In 1459 AD, Rao Jodha was once advised by a
saint to establish an impregnable headquarter and so the
Mehrangarh fort was built by
Rao Jodha on a steep hill. This fort can be approached by
series of seven gateways set at an angle so that armies
could not charge them with |
any success. Across the huge
courtyards are the palatial apartments, with the exquisitely
latticed windows. Today, this fort is managed and maintained
as a museum by the royal trust, and only some of the palaces
are open to visitors. These palaces were constructed by Rao
Jodha and his successors from 1456 AD onwards like the Moti
Mahal, Jhanki Mahal, Chandan Mahal, Darbar Takhat, Phool
Mahal and Rang Mahal. Some other famous palaces are Sheesh
Mahal, Umaid Vilas and Maan Vilas. From the ramparts of
Mehrangarh, one can also see the art-deco Umaid Bhawan
Palace located on top of Chattar Hill.
More....
|
|
|
|
Jaisalmer
Fort, Jaisalmer |
The
Jaisalmer fort, also known as the Sonar Qila stands at a
height of hundred metres over the city of Jaisalmer. This
fort rises from the sands, and merges with the sand dunes,
and resemble from a distance like a giant ant hill. The
foundation of the Sonar Qila was laid in 1156 by Bhatti
chief Jaisal. This fort is made of yellow sandstone which
glows into a golden flame when the sun shines on it and
provide a splendid sight. Within the 99 bastions, lies a
complete township that consists of a palace, a large living
complex, the havelis of rich Jain
merchants and Hindu |
|
temples. The Sonar fort is accessible through Ganesh Pol,
Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol. Several entrances also
guard the Megh Darbar and Jawahar Mahal which bear the
imperial symbols of the Bhatti clan's lunar lineage. The
19th century Abdul Mahal (Palace of Clouds) is currently the
home of the former rulers of Jaisalmer. There are some very
splendid royal apartments like the Rang Mahal, Gaj Vilas and
Moti Mahal. These palaces have balconies, pavilions and
pillars with beautiful stone carving.
More....
|
|
|
|
Kota Fort,
Kota |
|
Kota
was once a part of the kingdom of Bundi, and known for its stirring saga of valour and chivalry. The Kota Fort is a large and sprawling
structure and one of the famous tourist attraction in Kota,
that overlooks the Chambal river. The Kota fort was built by
the Jait Singh, in the mid 13th century. This fort houses
the museum and has some elaborately painted chambers. The
Kota Fort is known for
its Durbar Hall which has paintings and mirrorwork, and has
doors of ebony and ivory. This fort also has very high
quality of the miniature wall paintings that depict the
hunting scenes.
More.... |
|
|
|
Taragarh
Fort, Bundi |
The
Taragarh Fort in Bundi is the most romantic place in
Rajasthan. This fort was built in the mid-14th century by
the Hada Chauhans, out of the sandstone and basalt rocks of
the Aravallis. This fort is set within the horse-shoe shaped
hills, and lakes and water reservoirs, and guarded by the
Aravalli hills. The fort straddles on the crest and offers
invincible battlements that are very difficult to scale. In
the Bundi Palace complex, there are several apartments of
public affairs and private dwellings. Some of the very high
quality of wall paintings can be seen in the Chandra
Mahal
and the Chitrashala |
|
or picture gallery established by Rao
Raja Umed Singh in the 18th century. These paintings depict
scenes from the life of Krishna, and are unusual for their
blue-green tints.
More.... |
|
|
|
Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur |
The
Lohagarh fort is located in the heart of the old city of
Bharatpur. This 18th century fort was built by the Maharaja
Suraj Mal, the Jat ruler of Bharatpur. This fort was
impregnable and has bastions of sand that were strong enough
to absorb the impact of canon shells that simply embedded
themselves within it. The massive entrance gate from the
crowded street leads to the fort. The part of the fort that
has been preserved consists of a sprawling palace complex
that combines Rajput and Mughal architecture with Jat
influences in building style, Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj,
and floors laid with tiles. |
|
|
|
Amber Fort, Jaipur |
|
The
Amber Fort is situated about 11 km from Jaipur. Amber was
the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries
before it was moved to Jaipur. While many of
the early structures have either disappeared or ruined, but
those belonging to 16th century onwards are present in a
remarkable state in the fort. The existence of Amber Fort
belongs to various rulers like Raja Man Singh and Raja Jai
Singh I and II. The Amber
Fort is a classic fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture,
built in red sandstone and white marble. The palace complex
has various courtyards, narrow passages, staircases, high
walls, windows, gardens, halls, pillared pavilions |
temples,
palaces and apartments separated by several gates. Some of
these architectural marvels are the Diwan-E-Khas, the Sheesh
Mahal, the Jai Mandir with exquisite mirror work, the
Diwan-E-Aam, the Sukh Niwas, the Shila Mata Temple, Kali
temple and the Kesar Kyari, a well laid out garden.
More.... |
|
|
|
Bala Kila,
Alwar |
The "Bala
Kila" or the Bala Fort is perched on the most prominent hill
of Aravallis range which tells about the rich history of
Alwar. This massive medieval fort has 15 large and 51 small
towers, 446 openings for musketry and 8 huge towers that
rises about 3000 m above the city. This fort is also known
as the Kunwara Kila. Some of the Mughal rulers also stayed
here before it was reverted back to the Rajput rulers in the
18th century. The fort is circumscribed with several gates
known as Pols like Jai Pol, Laxman Pol, Suraj Pol. Salim
Mahal, which lies in ruins now, is said to have been the
palace where Prince Salim, later the Mughal Emperor Jehangir,
spent his three-year exile.
More.... |
|
|
|
Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur |
Jaigarh fort, also known as the Victory Fort, stands on a
small hillock amidst the thorn scrub hills overlooking the
Pink City, Jaipur. Jaigarh Fort was built in 1726 by Sawai
Jai Singh. The fort is surrounded by huge battlements with
various walkways offering stunning views on all sides. The
main gate, the Dungar Darwaza offers an amazing view of the
Jaipur city. The main highlight of the Jaigarh Fort is the
Jaivana, which is the world's largest cannon on wheels. It
was built in Jaigarh's foundry in the 1720. The fort has a
lot of wide water channels, which were a part of rainwater
harvesting system. There is also a small armoury and museum
in the fort.
More.... |
|
|
|
|
|
|