Jodhpur

Ensconced upon a 150 m high hill, the fort of Meherangarh is considered to be the most formidable fort in Rajasthan. The foundation of it was laid by Rao Jodha in 1459, but the subsequent rulers of Jodhpur have made significant additions to it. A 5 km road meanders its way up to the entrance of the fort from the town below. There are seven gates of which Jayapol (victory gate) was build to commemorate the victory of Maharaja Man Singh II over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner and Fatehpol to commemorate Maharaja Ajit Singh’s defeat of the Mughals. The second gate still bears the scars of the canon balls that the attacking Jaipur army hit on it.

To the left is the chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier, who fell on the spot while defending the fort against the armies of Amber (Jaipur). Beside the final gate Lohapol, there are 15 palms imprints, covered with vermillion and silver foil, of Maharaja Man Singh’s widows who threw themselves on his funeral pyre to become Sati.

The palaces inside the fort like the Sukh Mahal, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal have now been transformed into a museum exhibiting a series of artifacts that range from palanquins to weapons to Rajasthani paintings. The Phool Mahal that was used as durbar hall by former maharajas has fine paintings adorning its wall. The specialty is that all these paintings are the work of a single artist who took over 10 years to complete them. Do look out the gold filigree work in its ceiling. The Jhanki Mahal displays the cradles of the infant princes of Marwar. At the southern end of the fort is situated Chamunda Devi temple. From here the view of the town is awesome.

Such was the clout of Maharaja Umaid Singh of Marwar that the President of the British Royal Institute of Architects himself designed a palace for him. Around 3000 workers toiled for over 15 years to translate the design of this imposing edifice into reality. It was actually Maharaja’s magnanimous effort to employ his people who were hard hit by a drought at that time. The specialty of the building is that for its construction hand chiseled stones are interlocked and there is no mortar binding. It is also known as Chittar Palace because of the use of local Chittar sandstone. Presently a portion of it is used by the descendents of the Maharaja while the rest of it is converted into a luxury heritage hotel and a museum that houses interesting photographs, model aeroplanes, weapons, antique clocks and watches and crockery etc and is open for visitors.

Dating back to 1899, this is the illustrious marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II that was built by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh. It lies to the left on the way down from the Meherangarh fort. The main memorial is built like a temple.The fine lattice work in marble over the windows and intricately carved doors are what catch the attention of visitors. Make a visit and see why it is called the Taj of Marwar.

Besides a zoo, the Umaid Public garden also houses a museum that has a collection of stuffed animals, weapons, textiles and portraits and images of former Maharajas and Jain Tirthankars.