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Forts of Rajasthan
Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
Known
as SONAR QUILA or the Golden fort, 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.
Taragarh or The Star Fort, Bundi
The Taragarh Fort, also known as the Star Fort was built in 1354.
It towers over the town and the surrounding countryside.
A steep road up the hill, leads to an enormous gateway, topped by magnificent
rampant elephants.
Inside lies huge reservoirs carved of solid rock and the Bhim Burj, the largest
of the battlements, on which is mounted a famous cannon.
Views from the town and surrounding countryside are magical, especially at
sunset.
Chittorgarh Fort
The
fort is on a 280-hectare site on the top of a 180-metre-high hill, which rises
abruptly from the surrounding plain. There are many palaces within the fort
like Rana Kumbha Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace, Tower of Victory and Padmini's
Palace, which are a must see for the tourists. This hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh
epitomizes the romantic and doomed ideal of Rajput chivalry.
The main places of interest within the precincts of the fort are the two
towers known as the 'Kirti Stambh' (Tower of Fame) and the 'Vijay Stambh'
(Tower of Victory). Besides these, there are several temples, reservoirs,
and palaces originating between the 9th and 17th centuries AD. There is also
a big complex of Jain temples within the fort.
The Kirti Stambh is a seven-storied structure with a cramped stairway of
54 steps. It is 30 feet at the base and narrows down to 15 feet at the top
and is adorned with Jain sculptures on the outside. It is dated approximately
around the 12th century AD. It is dedicated to the first Jain tirthankara
or spiritual teacher, Adinath, and has an impressive five-feet-high statue
of the saint.
Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur
Lohagarh fort, or the Iron fort was built in the early 18th century and took
its name from its supposedly impregnable defences, which are said to be inspired
by a description given in the epic, Ramayana. Maharaja Suraj Mal, the fort's
constructor and founder of Bharatpur, built two towers within the ramparts,
the Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj, to commemorate his victories over the Mughals
and the British.
The fort was encircled and protected by deep moats, and according to a legend
would fall "only when a crocodile swalled up all the water of the moat".
The gate of the Lohagarh has an interesting history behind it. It originally
belonged to the fort of Chittorgarh but was carried away by Sultan Alauddin
Khilji of Delhi. In the late 17th century it was brought back in triumph by
the victorious Jat armies from the imperial capital of Delhi to Bharatpur.
Nahargarh Fort, Nahargarh
Nahargarh
Fort is located on the sheer rugged ridge of Aravali Hills and it forms an impressive
northern backdrop of Jaipur. It looks most classy when floodlit at night. The
fort overlooks the city and presents a glittering view of the city lights. It
was built in 1734 and extended in 1868. Nahargarh meaning abode of the tigers
was built by Jai Singh to bolster the defence of Amber.
The legend also have it that it was named Nahargarh after Nahar Singh a prince
whose spirit would destroy the construction and not allow its progress further.
So after a tantrik prayer to the spirit it agreed to leave on condition that
the fort is named after him. The Madhavendra Bhawan, built by Sawai Ram Singh
II has uniquely a cluster of 12 identical suits for queens and at the head
is a suit for the king himself.
Fort of Shahbad and Mosque, Near Kota
The fort was constructed in 1577 AD by the Chauhan ruler Muktaman.
The mosque is the biggest in Rajasthan and was built during the reign of Aurangazeb.
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