Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest
forts in India. Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur bult by Rathore
Rajputs, is a magnificent and imposing structure with an altitude
of about 125 mts. and is spread over an area of 5 sq. km with
seven gates. The palaces in the fort were constructed by Rao
Jodha Singh from 1459 onwards in an informal pattern over
several centuries and have its own architectural features,
such as narrow staircases leading to the royal residence,
carved panels and porches, elaborately adorned walls and brilliant
stained glass windows, that create vibrant mosaics on the
floors with the play of light. The various buildings inside
the fort now serve as Mehrangarh museum now which hosts a
well preserved collection of musical instruments, palanquins,
furniture and cannons on the fort's ramparts. To enter the
fort, seven gates have to be crossed.
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Architecture
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The fort has seven gates of which the noted ones are the Jayapol,
built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806; Fatehpol or the Victory
Gate built by Maharaja Ajit Singh; and the Lohapol or the
Iron Gate. The 15 handprints, the sati marks of Maharaja Man
Singh's widows who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre
in 1843, can be seen beside the Lohapol. On the wall, one
can see the strategically located cannons.
The
Mehrangarh Fort encloses many palaces, which are known for
their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. These are
as follows :
Phool Mahal or 'Flower Palace' The Jodhpur Coat of
Arms is kept in the Phool Mahal. Walls of this Flower Palace
is covered with paintings depicting various musical moods.
Sukh Mahal or 'Pleasure Palace' This is a
magnificient summer palace on the Sukh Mahal Lake surrounded
by lush beautiful gardens.It is believed that an underground
tunnel runs from the Sukh Mahal to the old palace.
Moti
Mahal or the Pearl Palace has a delicately carved
stone screen and treasures the Sringar Chowki, royal throne
of Jodhpur Exquisitely decorated ceilings and walls, with
delicate latticework on the windows. Large and unusual wooden
statues, painted bright, adorned a palace section amongst
an assortment of princely cradles. It is a labyrinth of wonders,
not knowing what the next doorway might lead to. These palaces
have fabulous collection of trappings of Indian royalty including
a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature
paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes
and furniture.
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Main Attractions
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Maan Villas displays Rathore armoury and the ' Tent
room'. This tent room is an imperial Mughal campaign tent,
used by Shahjahan but wrested by Jaswant Singh from Aurangzeb
in a battle. Made of red velvet and embroidered with gold
thread, it gives some idea of the grandeur with which the
Mughals approached even their battles.
Umaid
Bhawan Palace The only 20th century palace built
under the famine relief project that gave employment to famine
struck population. The palace was completed in 16 years built
by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1928 and designed by the President
of the British Royal Institute of Architects. The Fort is
a blend of several styles, merging pleasantly. Royal auditorium
ballrooms, huge dinning-room, gilded royal furniture, majestic
tiger and deerskins on the walls of a gloomy library of old
books, crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows, liveried
menservants and doormen, swimming pool in basement, various
mementoes and old photographs. There is so much to see and
discover.displays the Rajput miniature paintings and Ajit
Villas exhibits musical instruments and the royal costumes.
Both these villas are joined by a beautiful mirror room.
Girdikot
and Sardar Market These colourful markets with tiny
shops dotting the narrow lanes are situated in the heart of
the city and are popular for a wide range of handicrafts,
making them the favourite haunt of shoppers.
Government Museum Jodhpur This museum has a rich
collection of weapons, textiles, miniature portraits, local
crafts and images of Jain Tirthankars. It is situated in the
middle of the Umaid public gardens.
Mandore (8 kms.) The ancient capital of Marwar
has cenotaphs of the Jodhpur rulers. Just nine kilometers
away, Mandore is a fascinating complex of sprawling gardens,
massive cenotaphs, temples, ruins and sculpture. Gods, goddesses,
animals, lotuses, adorn the walls and pillars of old yellow
sandstone. In a hall are relief sculptures of various deities
and rulers, colored bright and mounted on horses. In little
corners of temples are rows of beautiful old tiles, excellent
ceramic art. Some depicting Lord Rama or Lord Krishna. Then
of course, there amongst the temples, figurate, and landscaped
vegetation, are the brightly dressed Rajasthani people.
Jaswant
Thada A cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble
built in 1899 A.D. in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur
rulers.
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