Mehrangarh Fort - Jodhpur
Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent
fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 but subsequent rulers of
Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries.
A meandering road leads to the from the city 5 kms below. Battle scars of
canon ball hit by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second
gate. To the left is chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on
the spot while defending the fort against the armies of Amber.
There are seven gates, which include Jayapol meaning victory built by Maharaja
Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol
also meaning victory gate was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat
of Mughals. The palm imprints still attract devotional attention and are
covered by vermilion paste and paper-thin silver foil.
This is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan and certainly the best layed
out. In the palanquin section of the fort museum, you can see an interesting
collection of old royal palanquins including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol
palanquin, which was won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730.
The museum exhibits the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings
and decorated period rooms.
PHOOL MAHAL
The grandest of Mehrangarh's period rooms, the Phool Mahal was in all likely
hood a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure dancing girls once swooned
in exhaustion here under a ceiling rich in gold filigree.
The Phool Mahal was created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724-1749) and the
gold came from Ahmedabad in Gujarat as war booty after his famous victory
over the rebellious Mughal governor, Sarbuland Khan. The paintings, royal
portraits and the ever-popular raga mala, came much later, in the reign
of Jaswant Singh II.
JHANKI MAHAL
The Jhanki Mahal, from where the royal ladies watched the official proceedings,
in the courtyard, today houses a rich collection of the royal cradles. The
cradles are decorated with gilt mirrors and figures of fairies, elephant
and birds.
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