FORTS & PALACES OF RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan is a land of forts and palaces. Built on high hilltops, in the middle of enormous deserts, and on islands in lakes, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan India, showcase the architectural heritage of Rajasthan. Many of these Rajasthan forts and palaces look rugged and rough from their exteriors; the interiors take you to an altogether different world. Surprises are the second name of these architectural marvels, which are the Rajasthan forts and palaces spread throughout Rajasthan India. Make sure while you are on a journey to the eternal land of Rajasthan to stay in any of these Rajasthan forts and palaces, as many of these places are again regaining their past glory. Popularly known as the Heritage Hotels, these places are a blend of the royal past and modern world, which you can see on tours to Rajasthan India.

Amber Fort - Near Jaipur

Amber Fort (also known as Amer Fort) is located 11 km from Jaipur. Set on the banks of Maota Lake, this grand fort was built by Raja Man Singh with later additions by Raja Jai Sigh I and Raja Jai Singh II. Raja Man Singh, who was an important military leader in the army of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, began this fort in 1592. Amber Fort was later used by the Kachwaha rulers as their capital. Tourists can enter Amber Fort by riding on elephant back up to the impressive Singh Pol gateway.
: More on Amber Fort :

Chittorgarh Fort - Chittorgarh

Chittorgarh Fort is known for its heroic history. The stories of the valiant Rajput men and women, who sacrificed their lives in the defense of their honor and this grand fort, live on in the ambience of this impressive structure in Chittorgarh. Some of the structures worth seeing in the Chittorgarh Fort are the Fateh Prakash Palace, the Rani Padmini Palace and the Rana Kumbha Palace. The Vijay Stambha or Tower of Victory, a popular landmark in Chittorgarh Fort, is a grand 122-feet high structure. It was built by Rana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Sultan Muhammed Khilji of Malwa.
: More on Chittorgarh Fort :

City Palace - Jaipur

The City Palace Jaipur is also known as the Chandra Mahal or Moon Palace and it is here that the royal family of Jaipur stays even today. The Sawai Man Singh II Museum, which is open to the public, occupies the ground floor and the courtyards of the City Palace. The Krishna Temple a well-known temple in Jaipur is located in the Jai Niwas Garden, to the North of the City Palace.
: More on City Palace :

City Palace - Udaipur

The city Palace Udaipur is like a fairytale palace. It combines elements of Chinese and European architecture and has a number of turrets, domes and arches to form a fascinating sight. The palace is made of granite and marble and is built on a raised height and encircled by ramparts. Overlooking Lake Pichola, the City Palace Udaipur was built by Maharana Udai Singh of the ruling the Sisodia clan.
: More on City Palace :

Golden fort or Sonar Kila - Jaisalmer

The stunning Jaisalmer Fort made of golden yellow sandstone set is like an amber jewel in the Rajasthan desert. Situated on Trikuta Hill in Jaisalmer, this magnificent fort was built by Raja Jaisal, a chieftain of the Bhatti tribe in 1156 A.D. It is one of the oldest forts in Rajasthan. The imposing walls of the fort, which enclose a mini-township consisting of houses of merchants and their shops, has a 30 ft high sandstone barrier, which includes 99 bastions.
: More on Golden fort or Sonar Kila :

Jaigarh Fort - Jaipur

Jaigarh or Fort of Victory was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1726. This grand fort has the largest wheeled cannon or Jaivan perched on its battlements. Jaigarh Fort was used as the treasury of the royal family of Jaipur. The Fort offers superb views of Jaipur town and the nearby Amber Fort. The fortifications, museum and the ingenious water storage system are worth seeing on your tour of Jaigarh Fort.
: More on Jaigarh Fort :

Junagarh Fort - Bikaner

Junagarh Fort in Bikaner is an impressive fort built by a Rajput ruler. Raja Rai Singh in 1587. A fort which has never been conquered, though it has been attacked many times, Junagarh Fort is an impressive monument, with huge towers and battlements for defence. Junagarh Fort contains 37 palaces and many temples and pavilions. Many of the inner rooms of the palaces are beautifully decorated and painted in traditional style.
: More on Junagarh Fort :

Jaisalmer Fort - Jaisalmer

Deep in the heart of the Thar Desert is Jaisalmer, one of the last princely bastions in the region. Founded on what was the cross - road of lucrative trade routes, this remote settlement came to be celebrated for the valour of its rulers, and for the aesthetic sense represented by their palaces and havelis.The rich merchants engaged stone - craftsmen who worked delicately on the sandstone mansions they built, filling up facades with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. Today, these veritable art - museums are still inhabited, and their colourful celebrations and festivals have placed Jaisalmer Fort firmly on the world tourism map.
: More on Jaisalmer Fort :

Hawa Mahal - Jaipur

The Hawa Mahal (literal meaning, palace of the winds) is an important landmark of the city of Jaipur, the pink city of India. It is an interesting building, although it is actually little more than a façade. This honeycombed building was originally built to facilitate the women of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.
: More on Hawa Mahal :

Mehrangarh Fort - Jodhpur

Dominating the skyline of Jodhpur town, the Mehrangarh Fort is a majestic monument built by Rao Jodha in 1459. Towering 400 feet above the city, the Mehrangarh Fort has never been conquered in battle. is a heritage monument in an excellent state of preservation, which is open to the public as the Mehrangarh Museum. Various structures within the fort include exquisitely painted rooms, a collection of weapons and armor and an ambience of impressive Rajput history.
: More on Mehrangarh Fort :

Taragarh Fort - Kota

The Taragarh Fort in Kota was built in 1345 and was the center of a kingdom in Rajasthan. The entrance to the fort, which is about 39 km from Kota, is by a sharply sloping road, which leads to the impressive gateway. The gateway is topped with carvings of proudly rearing elephants. On the largest rampart of the fort is the Bhim Burj, a large and legendary cannon. The view of Kota town from Taragarh Fort is spectacular, particularly at twilight and just after sunset.
: More on Taragarh Fort :