Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur

Mehrangarh Fort stands a hundred feet in grandeur on a perpendicular cliff, four hundred feet above the sky line of Jodhpur. Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons. Much has been written about the Citadel of the Sun, for truly, it is one of the most impressive in all Rajasthan. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it “the work of giants”. Today, it is acknowledged as one of the best preserved fort in India.

For the tourists to explore, Mehrangarh fort has several brilliantly crafted palaces which include Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana, Jhanki Mahal and Phool Mahal. In order to keep the antiques of Mehrangarh preserved, buildings in the fort premises serve as museums which host a collection of musical instruments, furniture, palanquins, paintings and canons.

Museum

Mehrangarh Museum has a unique importance as a repository of the artistic and cultural history of the large areas of Central Rajasthan and Marwar-Jodhpur. The museum boasts exemplary examples of 17th, 18th and 19th century collections for the fields of Miniature Paintings, Arms and Armours, Textiles, Decorative Arts and Furniture.

The Museum consists of seven Period Rooms i.e Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Takhat Vilas, Sardar Vilas, Jhanki Mahal, Dipak Mahal, Moti Mahal and six Galleries namely, Howdah Gallery, Palanquin Gallery, Daulat Khana, Painting Gallery, Textile Gallery and Arms Gallery.

The Museum has also participated in many international exhibitions all over the world, displaying and sharing the rich heritage of Marwar, and interacting with prestigious institutions in the field.

History

Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur in 1459. Rao Jodha was the son of Maharaja Ram Mal and was the 15th Rathore ruler. Previously Rao Jodha ruled from the fort of Mandore but due to lack of security, he shifted his capital to Jodhpur. Rao Jodha laid the foundation of the fort on Bhaucheeria hill, 9km away from Mandore, with the help of Rao Nara.

The foundation of the fort was laid by Shri Karni Mata daughter of sage of Charan caste. As the main deity of the Rathores was Sun god so the fort was named as Mehrangarh where Mehran means Sun and Garh means fort.

The foundation of the fort was laid during the reign of Rao Jodha and was continued by many rulers. Maldeo ruled from 1531 to 1562 and built some structures inside the fort. Then Maharaja Ajit Singh who ruled from 1707 to 1724 built some structures. After him the next king who built the fort further was Maharaja Takhat Singh who ruled from 1843 to 1872. The last ruler was Maharaja Hanwant Singh who ruled from 1947 to 1952. Rao Jodha spent around Rs. nine lakhs to build the fort.

Death of various kings and royal people

There were many instances where either the kings or the royal people were killed. Jaswant Singh, who ruled from1873 to 1895, killed his mistress by throwing her out of the window. She was killed because she belonged to Jaswant Singh’s father and entered his room.

Maharaja Man Singh, who ruled from 1803 to 1843, killed his prime minister by throwing him who fall 400m down. Maharaja Ajit Singh, who ruled from 1678 to 1724 was killed by his son. Rao Ganga, who ruled from 1515 to 1532 fell down from the window and died while he was enjoying the breeze. It is also said that Maldeo pushed Rao Ganga from the window.

Legend regarding the Construction

In order to construct the fort, Rao Jodha forcefully shifted a sage named Cheeria Nath ji who cursed the king that the fort will suffer from draught. Rao Jodha pleased the hermit by making a temple and a house for him.

When the construction was started, it was destroyed the next day. This happened due to the curse of the sage. The king requested him to take back the curse but the hermit said that the words cannot be taken back. The hermit told that if he buries a man alive then the curse will be cancelled. So the king buried a man named Raja Ram Meghwal alive in the foundation and promised him that Rathores will look after his family. Due to this the current generation of Raja Ram Meghwal is living in Raja Ram Meghwal garden.

Blue Color of the fort and the city

It is believed that blue colour repels heat and mosquitoes and that’s the reason many portions of the fort are painted with blue colour. Tourists can view the city from the fort which also looks blue.

Things to Do/See

The temples located inside the premises of the fort are known as the Chamunda Mataji temple and Nagnechiji temple, which have interesting tales behind their idols.

The zip lining activity known as Flying Fox is quite an enjoyable experience at Mehrangarh Fort, and many tourists make it a point to indulge in it while at the location.

The palaces at Mehrangarh Fort are called Sheesh Mahal (the mirror hall), Moti Mahal (glass-painted windows of pearl colours where the Maharajas held their courtroom), Phool Mahal (the extravagant hall of leisure activities of the royal family), and Zenana Deodi (women’s quarters made of sandstone).

Performances of people wearing traditional Rajasthani costumes are usually ongoing at Mehrangarh Fort, who represent authentic culture of Rajasthan through playing instruments and singing folk songs.

The atmosphere of the fort is relaxing if you were to explore all the nooks and crannies. That way you can also see the Chokelao Gardens, situated in the fort premises.

More than 200 eagles gather every day from 3.30pm to 4pm, when a young boy employed by the fort management feeds the eagles from on top of the tower across from the Chokelao Gardens, which is quite the interesting sight to see.

Timings

All days of the week

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Museum Entry Fees

Indian visitors- Rs.60
Foreign visitors- Rs.400

On Jodhpur foundation day, the 12th of May, entry in Mehrangarh Fort is free for all visitors.