Mehrangarh Fort is situated in Jodhpur,
Rajasthan. Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest known forts in India. It was
built in 1460 by Rao Jodha. The fort is located 410 feet above the city and is
surrounded by thick walls. There are several known for their intricate carvings
inside its boundaries. There is also a straight road from the fort that leads
to and from the city. The spots of cannonballs hits by attacking armies can
still be seen on the second gate of the fort. This fort has seven gates, which
also includes Jayapol. Jayapol was built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate
his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpool gate was built by
Maharaja Ajit Singh to commemorate the defeat of the Mughals.
Mehrangarh Museum is one of the biggest museums in Rajasthan. In the one part of the museum section, there is a collection of Royal Palanquins. The museum shows the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes and etc. While you visit the city, you can find a 5 star luxury hotels in Jodhpur for a heritage stay.
Rao Jodha, the king of Rathore Clan, is
known as the father of Jodhpur, India. He founded Jodhpur in 1459. Rao Jodha
was one of the Ranmal’s son and became the 15th Rathore ruler. After one year
of the Rao Jodha’s accession to the throne, Jodha decided to shift his capital
to the safer location of Jodhpur, as the one thousand years old Mandore fort
was no longer able to provide sufficient security. The Chamunda Mataji was Rao
Jodha's most loved goddess, he brought her idol from the old capital of Mandore
in 1460 and introduced her in Mehrangarh (Maa Chamunda was the kul devi of the
Pratihara leaders of Mandore. She remains the Maharaja's and the Royal Family's
Isht Devi or embraced goddess and is revered by the majority of Jodhpur's
residents too. Crowds throng Mehrangarh amid the Dussehra festivities.
Mehrangarh, according to Rajasthani local
language pronunciation says, Mihirgarh has changed to ‘Mehrangarh, the sun
deity has been the chef deity of the Rathore Dynasty. Though the Fort was
originally started in 1459 by Rao Jodha.
The fort is situated at the center of the city with an area over 5km. on
the top of a hill.
You can enter the fort through a series of
7 gates. The most famous gates of the fort are- Jai Pol, Fateh Pol, Dedh Kamgra Pol, Loha Pol. There are several nicely crafted and
decorated places within the fort. These places are known as Moti Mahal, Phool
Mahal, Sheesha Mahal, Daulat Khana and Sileh Khana. This museum has a brilliant
collection of Palanquins, howdahs, Royal cradles, miniatures, musical
instruments, costumes, and furniture.
The fort has some musicians who perform folk music at the entrance and
inside the museum, restaurants, craft markets, and etc. The fort was also one
of the filming destinations for many movies, The Emraan Hashmi starrer Awarapn
was also shot here. In 2015, the fort was used to record a collaborative album
by musicians including Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur, English composer and
Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. The
recording was subject to a documentary, Junun, by the American director Paul
Thomas Anderson.
