The Junagarh Fort of Bikaner
Imposing and enchanting, the Junagarh Fort in
Bikaner of Rajasthan overwhelms you with its historic charm and monumental
splendor. It is an unassailable fort of Rajasthan, a fort that has never been
conquered, though it has been attacked many times. Junagarh Fort of Rajasthan
is an impressive monument of Rajasthan, with huge towers and battlements for
defence.
The fort complex was built under the
supervision of Karan Chand, the Prime Minister of Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler
of Bikaner, who ruled from 1571 to 1611 AD. Raja Rai Singh, who lived in
the times of the Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jahangir, was a famous military
leader. He was rewarded for his bravery in battle by revenue from parts of
Gujarat and Burhanpur. He used these funds in the construction of the Junagarh
Fort. The ideas he absorbed during his travels across India after seeing many
other forts and palaces were also applied in the construction of Junagarh Fort
of Rajasthan.
The fort was originally called Chintamani and
was renamed Junagarh or "Old Fort" in the early 20th century when the
ruling family moved to Lalgarh Palace outside the fort limits.
Junagarh fort is one of those few forts that
are not built on a hilltop. The fort complex consists of palaces, courtyards,
pavilions and balconies. The walls palaces etc. are ornamented with carved
stones, marbles, paintings and inlaid semi-precious stones.
The museum within the fort called the Junagarh
Fort Museum was established in 1961 by Maharaja Dr.Karni Singhji under the
control of "Maharaja Rai Singhji Trust". This museum is called
Pracheena that displays contemporary arts and crafts, ritual crafts, period
furniture, textiles and costumes used by the royal family, royal photographs
and miniatures, among many others. This museum is a veritable treat for the
eyes and gives a glimpse into the everyday life of the royals.
Construction of the walls and associated moat
commenced in 1589 and was completed in 1594. It was built outside the original
fort of the city, about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from the city centre.
The main entry gate of the fort was Karan Pol
or Parole, facing east, the current gate of entry is called Suraj Pol (meaning
the Sun gate).
The interiors of the palaces are decorated and
painted in traditional Rajasthani style. The fort is called “a paradox between
medieval military architecture and beautiful interior decoration”.
The palaces which
are present in Junagarh fort are
Karan mahal
(Public Audience Hall) was built by Karan
Singh in c.1680 to mark his victory over the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Phool Mahal
("Flower Palace") is the oldest
part of the palace and was built by king Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner, who ruled
between 1571-1668.
Anup Mahal
Anup Mahal is a multi-storey structure, which functioned
as the administrative headquarters of the kingdom.
Chandra Mahal
Chandra Mahal has the most
luxurious room in the palace, which houses gold plated deities and paintings
inlaid with precious stones.
Ganga Mahal
Ganga Mahal was built in the 20th century by Ganga Singh
who reigned for 56 years from 1887 to 1943, has a large durbar hall known as
the Ganga Singh Hall that houses the Museum.
Badal Mahal
(The weather palace) is part of the Anup
Mahal extensions. It has paintings of Shekhawati Dundlod chiefs paying respects
to the Maharaja of Bikaner in different types of turbans.
Bikaneri Havelies
Bikaneri Havelies located both within and outside the fort in
the Bikaner city’s by lanes are also of unique architectural style in home
architecture.
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