Junagarh fort: One of the highest & largest forts of India

Travelogue

Dr Monika Raghuvanshi

Secretary, NYPI, District Coordinator, IBCS, Ph.D, MBA, 2 International ISBN books, 60 Research papers, 200 International & National events, 10 National Awards, Certified in IT, Training, Consumer Protection, French, Computer and Oracle

One of the most famous forts of India, Junagarh Fort is located in Bikaner, one of the most beautiful districts of the Indian state of Rajasthan. This fort is one of the richest and historical forts of India, which was built by a trusted courtier of the famous Rajasthani ruler Raja Rai Singh.

History of Junagadh Fort

Before the present fort, Rao Bika had built a fort in the year 1478 AD. The history of Bikaner city and this fort is linked to King Bika. After about 100 years of Raja Bika's rule, the rule of Bikaner came under Raja Rai Singh, who later accepted the suzerainty of the Mughals. He attained the post of Chief Commander in the Mughal. Due to his continuous victories, he was gifted the governance of Gujarat and Burhanpur by the Mughals. After earning a good amount of revenue from the areas he ruled, he started the construction work of Junagarh Fort in the year 1589 AD, which was completed after some time by the year 1594 AD.

Interesting facts about Junagadh Fort

1. The present form of this grand and historical fort was built by Raja Rai Singh between 1589 AD and 1594 AD.

2. It took more than 5 years to build this fort, its construction was started in the year 1589 AD and was completed by the year 1594 AD.

3. This fort is one of the highest forts in India, with an average height of about 230 metres.

4. The layout of this fort built in the plains of Bikaner is rectangular, whose perimeter length is approximately 986 meters.

5. This fort is included in the largest fort of India, which is spread over an area of ​​about 5.28 hectares.

6. The outer protective walls of this fort are approximately 14.5 feet wide and 12 metres high.

7. In this fort, for security reasons, more than 37 bastions were built on the outer walls, in which armed soldiers used to stand.

8. Due to this fort being spread over a large area, about 7 big entrance gates were built in it, out of which only 2 were well strengthened.

9. There are many famous temples located inside this fort, in which "Har Mandir" was for the royal people and "Ratan Bihari Temple" was for the general public, this temple was constructed in the year 1846 AD in Indo-Mughal architectural style.

10. Karan Mahal built in this fort is an unmatched example of Indian architecture because it includes a beautiful garden, pillars made of stone and wood, carved balconies and glass windows, which were built in the year 1680 AD by Karan Singh on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It was done to mark his victory.

11. Phool Mahal ("Flower Palace") located in this fort is the oldest and beautiful part of the fort, which was built by Raja Rai Singh who ruled between the years 1571 to 1668 AD.

12. Anup Singh modified Karan Mahal between 1669 and 1698 AD, which is a multi-storey structure, in which he added mirrored roof, ornate balcony with Italian tiles, zenana quarter, Diwan-e-Aam and windows. The palace was named Anup Mahal.

13. One of the most prominent structures of this fort is Chandra Mahal, which was constructed by Raja Gaj Singh between the years 1746 to 1787 AD. In this palace, the royal bedrooms and the statues of Gods made of gold are quite popular.

14. "Ganga Mahal" located inside this fort was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the 20th century AD. The major feature of this palace is its museum known as "Bada Durbar Hall" (Ganga Hall). Weapons and airplanes of the First World War have been preserved in this museum.

15. Badal Mahal located in this fort is a part of the Anup Mahal complex, which was constructed between 1872 to 1887 AD. Raja Dungar Singh got it done in the middle of 1850.

16. The "Fort Museum" located inside this fort was established in the year 1961 AD by Maharaja Dr Karni Singhji under the control of "Maharaja Rai Singhji Trust".

Specialities of this fort

1. 22 carat gold and silver has been used in the construction of this fort, which is still the same. There is a very beautiful painting of gold and silver on the ceiling.

2. The mirror for Maharaja Ganga Singh's dressing table was brought from Belgium.

3. Beautiful things were made by bringing blue stone from Holland.

4. There is such a mesh in this fort through which the queens could see everything outside but no one could see inside from outside. With this, the queen could remain behind the scenes and entertain herself while looking outside.

5. There is also a door made of silver weighing about 300 and a half kilos in which 65 kilos of silver has been used.

7. Maharaja Padam Singh's 27 kg sword with which Aurangzeb's brother-in-law was killed is also kept.

8. Rao Bika Singh's cauldron in which food was cooked can also be seen in this fort.

9. Luxurious carpets were made by prisoners. There are also some nails on which people of a particular caste used to walk barefoot.

10. The ship of the Pre-World War era, which is present only in two places, one in London and the other in Junagadh, which was gifted by the British to Maharaja Ganga Singh.

11. Symbols and insignia of the kings of Bikaner which were given by the British to the kings for their title.

12. Many scriptures like sword, kirpan, braided kirpan, bow and arrow, gun including a mounted gun, cartridges, war clothes like helmet, chain, bullet proof jacket which is made of chain and all the clothes worn for war are on the arm.

13. Tables for playing chess, backgammon, cards of kings.

14. 160-year-old swing which when shaken makes the Gopis on the swing appear to dance.

15. India's first lift was built in 1919 and was installed by Maharaja Ganga Singh.

16. 3D paintings can also be seen.

17. There is also an ivory stand of Maharaja Gaj Singh.