Forts In Rajasthan

Taragarh Fort - Bundi only 39 km north-west of Kota,was the capital of a major princely state during the heydays of Rajputs.The town's Rajput legacy 75 is well preserved in the shape of the massive Taragarh fort.The star fort was built in 1354. It is reached by a steep road leading up the hillside to its enormous gateway, topped by rampant elephants. Inside are huge reservoirs carved out of solid rock and the Bhim Burj, the largest of the battlements, on which is mounted a famous cannon. Views over the town and sorrounding countryside are excellent.

Junagadh Fort - Akbar's contemporary , Raja Rai Singh, began building Bikaner's Junagadh Fort in 1587. It is one of the finest of Rajput monuments, even though it lacks the commanding hilltop site of the forts at Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Amber and Chittor. Junagadh is one of the few forts in India which has never been conquered, though it was often attacked. Thirty-seven palaces, pavilions and temples built by different kings stand protected by massive ramparts and round towers. For four centuries Junagadh was the heart of an important autonomous kingdom where the public came daily, as a matter of right, to lay their problems and petitions before their Maharaja, or to eat at the communal kitchen from which no one could be turned away hungry.

The hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh epitomises the whole romantic, doomed ideal of Rajput chivalry. Three times in its long history, Chittor was attacked by a stronger enemy. The men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out from the fort to certain death, while the women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre. Honour was always more important than death. The fort stands on a 280-hectare site on top of a 180-metre-high hill, which rises abruptly from the surrounding plain. Until 1568, the town of Chittor was also on the hilltop within the fort walls but today's modern town, known as Lower Town, sprawls to the west of the hill.There are many palaces within the fort like Rana Kumbha Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace,Tower of victory & Padmini's Palace.

Amber Fort situated about 11 km out of Jaipur on the Delhi - Jaipur road, Amber was once the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fortress palace was begun in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army. It was later extended and completed by the Jai Singhs before they move to Jaipur on the plains below. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts.

Jaigarh Fort was built by Jai Singh II in 1726. Romantic legend fills its palatial rooms,courtyards and reservoirs. For Jaigarh housed the legendary Kachchwaha treasury. The loyal Mina tribe, former rulers of Amber, guarded it, using their skills as archers and mountain fighters. The massive Jaiwaan cannon, one of the largest in Asia, gave added protection.

Mehrangarh fort was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 when he shifted his capital from Mandore.The fort is situated about 400 ft above the city and has 68 ft wide and 117 ft high walls which dominates the sorrounding plain.The palaces in the fort were constructed by Rao Jodha Singh from 1459 onwards.The various buildings inside the fort now serve as Mehrangarh museum.The Moti Mahal has stained glass windows that create a colourful mosaic with the play of light and shade on the glowing colours.The Mughal influence is evident in the miniature paintings of Shahjehan and Aurangzeb.The other important palaces like Chandan Mahal,the Darbar Takhat or Throne Room,the Rang Mahal,the Umaid Vilas etc are also worth visiting.

Sonar Kila: The foundation of the fort was laid in 1156 A.D on Trikuta hill by the Bhatti Chief Jaisal. The fort also called Sonar Kila- A Golden Fort, made of yellow sandstone, seems to ignite into a golden flame when scorched by the desert sun. About a fourth of the old city's population resides within the fort walls. Numerous bastions of upto 325 ft are made accessible through gates-Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol. There is a cross cultural merging of Rajput and Islamic building styles. Within the fort are there are a group of beautifully carved Jain temples built between 12th to 15th centuries and are dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Sambhavanthji. There are also beautifully carved Havellis of rich merchants and nobles.

Kumbhalgarh fort is 84 km and is one of Rajasthan's principal fortifications, it was built by Maharana Kumbha in the 15th century. Range upon range of the Aravalli hills protect this impregnable fortress, the second most important citadel of Mewar. Surrounded by thirteen mountain peaks, guarded by seven great gates and seven ramparts, strengthened by rounded bastions and immense watch towers, this mountain fortress has witnessed many battles. Within the fort are many temples and palaces. Seven majestic gates lead to Badal Mahal which encloses beautiful rooms with pleasant colour schemes of green, turquoise and white, which provides a fascinating contrast to the raw, earthy and grim fortress.

KHIMSAR (Rajasthan) Perched on the edge of the Great Thar Desert in the heart of rural India lies this unique fort offering a wide range of experiences. The battle-scarred walls & turrets remind of the glorious past. In mid-18th Century the royal family moved in and a new "zenana" or ladies residence was built with finely carved windows in stone grills to provide "purdah" or veil for ladies in waiting. Subsequently, in the 1940's, Thakur Onkar Singh built for himself a regal wing. Today Welcomegroup Khimsar fort ranks amongst the premier classified Heritage Hotels of India.

The well preserved fortress of Ranthambore built in the 10th century is unique for its style and is concealed within hill ranges and dense forest & is not visible from outside.It is defended by strong gates. The fort is worth visiting and there are superb views over the park from the ramparts.The lower laying ground alternates between open bushland and fairly dense forest and is peppered with ruined chattris and 'hides - the area was formely a hunting preserve of the Maharajas.