Jodhpur, The Blue City

Images Of Mehrangarh Fort

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Entrance To The Fort

One Of The Gate To The Fort

Pictures Of Mehrangarh Fort

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Inside Of The Fort

Old Cannon Ramparts On The Fort

Pictures Of Mehrangarh Fort

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Stone Lattice Windows

Detailing Of Carved Balconies

Mehrangarh Fort - Citadel Of The Sun

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Mehrangarh Fort

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History:

Jodhpur Mehrangarh Fort History is related to Rao Jodha. He became the fifteenth Rathore ruler in 1458. One year after his accession, Jodha was advised to move his capital to a safer place. The one thousand years old Mandore fort was slowly and gradually deteriorating. This led to the foundation of Mehrangarh Fort. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur or the 'Citadel of the Sun'is one of the largest forts in forts. It is also the most magnificent fort in Jodhpur, infact, in the whole Rajasthan. The fort is amongst the popular tourist places in India. It is situated on a 150 m high hill.It was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 but subsequent rulers of Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries. The Mehrangarh Fort can be reached from the city, 5 kms below, through a circular road.

Description:
The fort has 68-ft wide and 117-ft elevated walls which overlook the surrounding plain. Seven gates have to be crossed to reach the fort. The gates still bear the marks of the various battles fought in the bygone era. Its second gate still stands witness to canon ball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur during wars. The most famous among them is the Jayapol (meaning victory). This gate was constructed by Maharaja Man Singh to celebrate his triumph over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner. Another gate- Fattehpol also meaning victory gate was raised by Maharaja Ajit Singh to commemorate the defeat of the Mughals. And Lohapol meaning iron gate has a moving memorabilia on palm print of the queens of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves on his funeral pyre in an act of sati (self-immolation). The palm imprints still attract devotional attention and are covered by vermilion paste and paper-thin silver foil.At the left, lies the chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, the valorous soldier who died on the spot while guarding the fort against the Amber armies. The splendid cenotaphs testify the valor and fearlessness of the Rathore kings of Jodhpur.
Standing sentinel to the city below, it over looks the rugged and rocky terrain and houses a palace intricately adorned with long carved panels and latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone. The apartments within, have their own magic - the Moti mahal (Pearl Palace) has the royal throne of Jodhpur "The Sringar Chowki", Phool Mahal (Flower Palace) whose ceiling is adorned by gold filigree work, Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana with a rich varied collection of palanquins, howdas, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, folk music, instruments, costumes, furniture and an impressive armoury. The display of cannons on the ramparts near Chamunda temple is among the rarest in India. As you climb up, folk musicians revive the grandeur of a bygone era.
The Mehrangarh Fort, with its beauty, is the living proof of the hard work and skill of the Jodhpuri sculptors.Today this magnificent Jodhpur fort is a living testimony that recounts the chronicles and legends of Jodhpur's rich past.

Mehrangarh Fort Gallery - Elephant Howdahs

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The Priceless Silver Howdah

Elephant's Howdahs:

The "Elephant Howdah" was a kind of two-compartment wooden seat fastened on to the back of an elephant. The front compartment had a raised protective metal sheet for kings or royalty. The rear compartment was for a reliable bodyguard, disguised flywhisk attendant. This gallery displays fine examples of elephant seat from the museum collection, which is regarded as the best in the country. One of the priceless historical pieces is the silver howdah of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, presented to Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur.

Mehrangarh Fort Gallery - Palanquins

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Palanquins:

Palanquin was a popular mode of travel for the ladies of the nobility, till the second quarter of the 20th century. On special occasions, the male nobility and the royals also used them. This gallery displays one of the richest collections of palanquins in Rajasthan. The most exquisite ones include Pinjas, the covered palanquin beautifully decorated with lacquer paintwork. Another one is Rajat khasa, the beautiful lotus shaped royal silver palanquin used by the maharajas.

Mehrangarh Fort Gallery - Daulat Khana

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Daulat Khana (Treasures Of Mehrangarh Museum) :

In this gallery are displayed some best preserved collection of fine arts of the Mughal period, during which the Rathores maintained close links with the Mughal emperors. Displayed in this gallery are finest examples of arms, textiles, decorative arts, paintings, manuscripts, headgears, etc.

Mehrangarh Fort Gallery - Armoury

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Carved Swords

Armoury:

This Gallery displays a rare collection of Armour from every period in Jodhpur. Also displayed are sword hilts in jade, silver, rhine horn, ivory, shields studded with rubies, emeralds and pearls, guns with gold and silver work on barrels. The personal swords of some emperors are also displayed. They include The Khanda of Rao Jodha, The sword of Akbar the Great and The sword of Timur the Lame.

Mehrangarh Fort Gallery - Paintings

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Paintings:

This Gallery displays colours of Marwar-Jodhpur, the finest example of Marwar paintings.

Mehrangarh Fort Gallery - Turban & Folk Musical Instruments Gallery

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The Turban Gallery:

There is Turban Gallery in the Mehrangarh Museum also. In it are preserved and displayed many different types of turbans once prevalent in Rajasthan.
The Folk Musical Instruments Gallery:

In this gallery are a number of different types and kinds of folk musical instruments, some particular to a group or community, and some to a region. A recorded rendition accompanies the display of the instruments here.

Moti Mahal - Period Room Of Mehrangarh Fort

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Moti Mahal (The Pearl Palace) :

Moti Mahal is the largest period room of the Mehrangarh Museum. It was built by Raja Sur Singh. Moti Mahal was where the king used to sit on his throne and meet all his subjects. The palace has the Sringar Chowki, The Royal Throne of Jodhpur. The Moti Mahal has five alcoves leading to hidden balconies. It is believed that the balconies were built for the five queens of the Maharaja to enable them to listen in on court proceeding.

Sheesh Mahal - Period Room Of Mehrangarh Fort

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Exiquisite Mirror Work On The Ceiling

Sheesh Mahal (The Hall Of Mirrors) :

Sheesh Mahal of the Mehrangarh Fort is a typical example of a Rajput Sheesh Mahal. It has beautiful mirror-work. It is superimposed by the mirror-work of brightly painted religious figures made in plaster.

Phool Mahal - Period Room Of Mehrangarh Fort

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Phool Mahal (The Palace Of Flowers) :

Maharaja Abhaya Singh built the Phool Mahal. It is one of the grandest Mehrangarh Fort period rooms. It is believed that the Phool Mahal was a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure. Dancing girls are believed to perform here for the pleasure of the Maharajas. The gold for the Mahal came from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The paintings, royal portraits and the ever-popular raga mala of the Mahal came during the reign of Jaswant Singh II.

Takhat Vilas - Period Room Of Mehrangarh Fort

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Takhat Vilas (Maharaja Takhat Singh's Chamber) :

Maharaja Takhat Singh built Takht Vila. It served as his residence during the time of his reign. The Maharaja was the last ruler of Jodhpur to reside in the Mehrangarh Fort. Takhat Vilas is an interesting blend of styles, both traditional as well as modern (relating to the time of the British). The beautiful paintings on the walls and on the wooden beams of the ceiling, scenes from the religious Krishna Leela to the Rathore sport of pig sticking, are still in good condition.

Jhanki Mahal - Period Room Of Mehrangarh Fort

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Collection Of Royal Cradles

Jhanki Mahal (The Peeping Palace):

The royal ladies watched the official proceedings, going on in the courtyard, from the Jhanki Mahal. It houses a rich collection of the royal cradles, decorated with gilt mirrors and figures of fairies, elephant and birds.

Jaswant Thada - A Royal Cenotaph

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An Exquisite White Marble Memorial

Way To Cenotaphs

Pictures Of Jaswant Thada

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Jaswant Thada From Mehrangarh Fort

Jaswant Thada

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To the left of the Mehrangarh Fort complex is the Jaswant Thada of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is a 19th century royal cenotaph built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. The son of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, Maharaja Sardar Singh, in the memory of his father, built the Jaswant Thada. The cenotaph has two more tombs within it. Near to this are the royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs.
Famous Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur, India is an example of architectural brilliance in India. It is a white marble memorial, built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. The carving shows the genius of the sculptors. These stones are extremely thin and polished. As a result, the outside surface of the monument emits a warm glow when the sunrays fall on its surface. There is also a beautiful marble jali work on the cenotaph. You can have some nice views from the terrace in front of the cenotaph.
The cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh displays portraits of the rulers and Maharajas of Jodhpur, admire colorful dedications to the maharanis and concubines of Maharaja Jaswant Singhji who committed Sati on the pyre of the deceased ruler. The main memorial has been built like a temple. To visit the Thada you have to go through the rocky hills. This also lends a mystic aura to the whole visit. Do make sure to visit this architectural delight while on a tour to Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Outside View Of The Palace

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Inside View Of Umaid Bhawan

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Lobby

Magnificent Staircases

Pictures Of Umaid Bhawan Museum

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Crockery Display In The Museum

Clock Collection In The Museum

Pictures Of Umaid Bhawan

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A Billiard Hall

A Swimming Pool Embellished With Tiles

Umaid Bhawan Palace

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Exterior View Of The Palace

Construction of the Palace:
The palace built by Maharaja Umaid Singh who ruled from 1911-47 was the last expression of princely architectural extravaganza during the British Raj. It was in 1925 that Umaid Singh went to London in search of an architect and commissioned the firm of Lancaster and Lodge to build the palace. The foundation stone was laid in 1929 at Chittar Hill- a sight dictated by astrological considerations. "Striking indeed is the impression of romance and dignity which this occasion conveys" said Col. Windham at the time of its inaugaration, adding while addressing the king "It conjures up both a retrospect of the past and a prospect of the future Your Highness."
Chittar-ka-Bangla:
It took some 3000 people working round the clock some 15 years to complete and ranks as one of the world’s largest residences. The massive structure is also referred to as Chittar-ka-Bangla or Chittar Bungalow. The 347-room building was designed by Henry Lanchester, an understudy of Edwin Lutyens (who designed most of New Delhi) it contains two huge wings separated by a double dome 185 feet tall.
Rajmahal:
The primary entrance to the palace is called the Rajmahal, which contains the traditional Rathore coat-of-arms, bearing the sacred kite, an incarnation of the family goddess. Its symbol is omnipresent in the palace and as a mark of reverence, kite hunting is not allowed in Jodhpur. It houses several banquet halls and ball rooms where the monarch used to entertain his guests (usually European), a billiard hall and an imposing Durbar Hall and that’s not all. It has libraries panelled with teak, circular reception halls, magnificent double staircases, marble flooring, a swimming pool embellished with tiles depicting the zodiac. The wings include courtyards, staff offices and zenanas (women’s quarters), a cinema house and opulent royal suites. Suffice to say a visit to the palace will simply knock your breath away. The unique feature of the palace is that it is not mortared at all, but like the Jaisalmer fort it was built out of solid interlocking blocks of stone. The chunks of rock were cut from the Sursagar quarry located 13km away.
Palace Served As A Military Base During Second World War:
During the Second World War even while the structure was unfinished, the palace became a military base for the allied troops. Christmas dinners for the entire military community were organised annually at the palace, with the Jodhpur royals playing a key role in keeping up the morale of the soldiers during the war. When Umaid Singh died in 1947, his son Hanwant Singh became maharaja but he too was killed in a plane crash five years later. While his heir Gaj Singh, who was only four at the time was being educated in England the palace remained unoccupied. One year after Gaj Singh returned to India, the then Prime Minster derecognised the princes and ended their privileges. Initially at a loss as to what to do with the palace, after much dilly-dallying Gaj Singh did what many other princes did as well-coverted his residence into a luxury hotel in 1977. Part of the palace, which was once the audience hall has now been converted into a museum.

Rai Ka Bagh Palace

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The Rai ka Bagh Palace of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is another tourist spot for you to visit on your trip to Jodhpur. The queen of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-I, Hadiji, built this palace. It is situated near the Rai ka Bagh palace railway station. Famous Rai Ka Bagh palace in Jodhpur, India was constructed in 1663. It was amongst the favorite palaces of King Jaswant Singh-II. Most of the time he stayed in the octagonal bungalow of Rai Ka Bagh palace.
In 1883, Swami Dayanand Saraswati came to Jodhpur. The arrangements for his public audience were made in the public ground of this palace only. He gave his sermons there itself. Even Jaswant Singh used to listen to Swami Dayanand in this palace only. At present the palace houses the income-tax office.