It
is an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Built in 1593
A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most distinguished generals in the army
of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat.
This fort was built by Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of
Bikaner, who ruled form 1571 to 1612 AD. Raja Rai Singhji could Marshal the
revenues of a Kingdom increased by the conquest of half Marwar and grant of
half Gujrat and made use of ample funds from Jodhpur and Western Deccan for
the construction of this fort. A contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar and
Emperor Jehangir, he held a very high rank in the Imperial court. As a
reward for this services as military commander, he was granted fields of
Gujrat and Burhanpur by the Emperor. During his tenure in imperial service
he traveled far and wide which gave him vision and great ideas about art and
architecture and we can see how meticulously these ideas were incorporated
in the architectural styles of his building in Junagarh fort.
| » Other
Attractions in Bikaner |
The Old Palaces : The old palaces of Junagarh
fort start from Suraj Parol the passage to the old palaces leads through
TRIPOLIA, a first reception court. In the past, the palaces guards were
accommodated here. Tripolia was got built by Maharaja Dungar Singhji. It is
a huge three way structure resting on gigantic stone arches. On entering
Tripolia, on the right side, the stairs of VIKRAM VILAS (VIKRAM was the
sanskrit name of Rao Bika) durbar hall can be seen which are beautifully
carved out of red sand stones from Bikaner. Next comes a ramp that leads to
HARMANDIR CHOWK or ZORAWAR MAHAL courtyard and an array of courtyard after
courtyard with palace rooms and hall starts, displaying intricate work of
art. It is the result of building activity of 16 rules who ruled Bikaner
from here for 325 years. The residence of royal family was shifted to
Lallgarh Palace when Laxmi Niwas was completed in 1902 A.D.
Karan Mahal : Karan Mahal (Public Audience Hall), the
first monument of Bikaner and second oldest in Rajputana is based on the
classic Mughal style, the plan for the construction of which were conceived
during the reign of Raja Karan Singhji. It was erected in about 1690 by
Maharaja Anup Singhji as a memorial monument of his father Raja Karan
Singhji. This monument is also a tribute to the restoration and elevation of
the status of Bikaner State. Karan Mahal is covered with rich Rajput
elaboration of Mughal style in terms of the purity of white marble and
stucco design. The exquisite economic design is so characteristic of classic
Art like Diwan-I-Khass, Rang Mahal and Mumtaj Mahal at Delhi. It has the
same wooden ceiling resting on a board cornice and a surrounding Gallery
behind a row of cusped arches resting on short bellied columns of the type
of fashion under Aurangzeb.
Phool Mahal ki Sal :
This is oldest part of the palaces and was built by Raja RAi Singhji.
Its decoration with motifs of trays, flower vases and rose water sprinkles
reminds of the decoration popular in Jehangirian period. Inside the rooms
the interior walls are decorated with stucco work and glass inlay work.
Chander Mahal : See splendid remnants of the
grandiose Mughal rule in Ajmer as you tour the rooms and sections of Akbar's
Palace or the Ajmer Museum with Indian Horizons. Akbar's Palace is located
close to the railway station in Ajmer and is a grand way to learn more about
the romantic yet tumultuous history of desert Ajmer. See ancient and
medieval weapons and armory on display and gaze wonder eyed at a glorious
collection of stone sculptures, objects d' art and delicate miniature
paintings. See the choicest collection of Rajput and Mughal armor on display
at the Akbar's Palace .
Gaj Mandir : This mandir embodies the then know
refinements and luxuries of architecture and tasteful decorative arts,
lavished on the private apartment of Maharaja Gaj Singhhji and of his two
chief Queens, Phul Kanwar and Chand Kanwar. This fairy world was built under
the supervision of an architect whom the Maharaja had personally brought
from Jaipur. The wall are covered with elaborate Mughal niches and panels
enclosed by a framework of marble plaster slabs, which are carved into
various Mughal open-work floral design behind which mirror have been placed.
| » Places to
Stay in Bikaner |
There are several budget hotels and paying guest
accommodations available in Bikaner.
| » Best Time to
visit Bikaner |
The climate of Junagarh is mild with temperature ranging between
20-28'C in winters and 28-34'C in the summers. Although the place can be
visited throughout the year, the best season to do so is winter
(October-March).
Air : The nearest airport is Ahmedabad, around
300 kilometers from Junagadh. From Ahmedabad, one can take regular flights
for other cities of India including Mumbai and Delhi.
Rail : Regular trains run between Junagarh and Veraval,
Ahmedabad, Sasan Gir, Delwada, Una, Diu, and Rajkot.
Road : Junagarh can be reached from most of the important
cities in Gujarat as well as neighboring states. One can get to Junagarh
from Rajkot (100 km), Porbandar (107 km), Ahmedabad (320 km), Veraval, Una,
and Jamnagar (184 km)..
Climate Mean Max.Summer 38.1degree C 27.7 degree C Mean Min. Winter
23.3 degree C 05.5 degree C .
Junagarh Fort
