Experience Rajasthani royalty at Bikaner’s Junagarh Fort. (Image: AkankshaArora/TimesNow)
Formerly called Chintamani Fort, the Junagarh Fort It is located in the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan. Junagarh Fort is unique in that it is one of the few forts that is not built on a hilltop. Despite repeated attacks from other kingdoms, it has earned legendary status for remaining largely impenetrable.
Junagarh Fort, situated in the plains of Bikaner, is deeply rooted in history. Let us understand it better.
History of Junagarh Fort
Junagarh Fort was built by Raja Rai Singh who was the sixth ruler of Bikaner from 1571 to 1611 AD. The construction of the fort lasted from 1588 to 1593 AD. The construction of the fort complex was supervised by Karan Chand Junagarh, the prime minister of Raja Rai Singh.
Before the fort was built, there was an ancient stone fort built by the first king of Bikaner, Rao Bika. He was the second son of Maharaja Rao Jodha, who was the founder of the city of Jhodpur. Since he had no expectations of inheriting the kingdom, he decided to build one of his own.
However, it was under the reign of Raja Rai Singh that Bikaner reached its peak. He became an expert in art and architecture thanks to the knowledge he acquired in the various countries he visited. This is beautifully reflected in the construction of the fort.
Architecture
While the fort itself is a masterpiece, the palaces that lie within it are equally enchanting. The Anup Mahal, the Chandra Mahal and the Phool Mahal are among the palaces that feature stunning mirrors and ornate carvings. These structures provide insight into the lifestyle of royalty.
Junagarh Fort was originally a rectangular structure with a moat around it. However, the moat no longer exists. It has a 986 m long rampart with 37 bastions. Suraj Pol and Daulat Pol are the two main gates of the fort. Chand Pol, Karan Pol and Fateh Pol are the other inner gates.
There are a total of 37 palaces within the fort city complex, along with several Hindu and Jain pavilions and temples. The main features of the fort are the carvings done in red and yellow sandstone. It also has many rooms that are done in traditional Rajasthani style.
Preservation of historical objects
Junagarh Fort also houses an extensive museum housing a remarkable collection of artifacts, ranging from ancient manuscripts and weapons to royal costumes and jewelry.
How to reach Junagarh Fort
To reach Bikaner from other cities, the best option is travel By Road. RSRTC buses reach Bikaner from cities like Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Ajmer and Delhi. It is also convenient to travel to the city by air. The nearest airport is Jodhpur.
Junagarh Kila in Bikaner is easily accessible from all points of Bikaner. The fort can be easily reached by car, bus, taxi or even by rickshaw.
The fort is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm every day of the week.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.