Perched atop a high rock is the Fort of Mehrangarh that dominates the city of Jodhpur physically like nothing else. It’s tucked away amidst the mushrooming commercialization of the city, but is well preserved to give you a taste of its past glory.
There is a motorable road leading right up to the citadel gate but in the bygone era, the climb must have been on a near vertical ledge. It was a fort built for defense and the hill on which it is built is called ‘Bhakur- Cheeria’ meaning the Mountain of birds referring to the kites that hover around it.
A walk through the fort takes you to the Rathore era, the dominant clan there. The walls of the Jai Pol bear the marks of the cannon ball of the enemy. The Fateh Pol marks the culmination of the struggle between Durga Das Rathore against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb with the accession of the rightful Rathore Heir to the throne of Jodhpur. Also make it point to visit the Lakhna Pol, Amrit Pol, Suraj Pol and Loha Pol, each having their own history.
The Rathore history has been well preserved in the form of a museum within the fort walls that enclose palaces such as Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Jhanki Mahal, Khabgah Mahal Daulat Khana and the Sileh Khana. Objects of Art, weapons and utility items such as carpet weights and hookah bowls give a picture of royal luxury.
The most memorable of all is that of standing on the ramparts, which form a solid wall of stone running all around the fort. Adding fire to the stone are cannons lined up all along.
The Fort is accessible from Delhi via Air, rail and road links. It’s around 589 km from Delhi. Accommodation options are many ranging from Luxury hotels to renovated Havelis to home stays.