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Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur,
India. It is on a steep 400 feet high hill, It is a combination
of beauty and strength, It is about 550 years old, It is
protected by 17 feet thick and 68 feet high walls, Finally, It
is Mehrangarh, one of the largest forts in India. It is situated
in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
History Of Mehrangarh
In 1458, Rao Jodha (1438-1488), one of Rainmal's 24 sons became
the fifteenth Rathore ruler. After one year of his accession,
Jodha was suggested to move his capital to a safer place because
one thousand years old Mandore fort was no longer considered to
be strong and safe. This need for a safer place for Jodha gave
India one of her largest forts, Mehrangarh.
The foundation of this fort was laid on May 12, 1459 by Jodha on a rocky
hill which is 9 Km. south to Mandore. This hill was known as
Bhaurcheeria, the mountain of birds. Its lone human occupant at the time
was a hermit called Cheeria Nathji, the lord of |
Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur |
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birds.
In order to
create this fort, Cheeria Nathji was forced to leave his cave and the
disturbed hermit left his place cursing Rao Jodha. His curse was "Jodha!
May your citadel ever suffer a scarcity of water!". To avoid the
consequences of this curse, Jodha try to appease the god by building a
house and a temple in the fort very near the cave the hermit used for
meditation.
Jodha then took the extreme step to ensure the new site proved
propitious; he buried a man alive in the foundations. The man was Rajiya
Bambi (Meghwal) and he was promised that in return his family would
forever more be looked after by the Rathores.
Places in Fort
The Mehrangarh fort encloses many places, which are known for their
intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards.
The Chamunda MataJi Temple
The Chamunda Mataji was Rao Jodha's favorite goddess, he brought her
idol from the old capital of Mandore in 1460 and installed her in
Mehrangarh. She remains the Maharaja's and the Royal Family's Isht Devi
or adopted goddess and is worshipped by most of Jodhpur's citizens as
well. Crowds throng Mehrangarh during the Dussehra celebrations.
Period Rooms
Moti Mahal - The Pearl Palace
Built by Raja Sur Singh (1595-1619) the Moti Mahal is the largest of the
Mehrangarh Museum's period rooms. Sur Singh's Moti Mahal has five
alcoves leading onto hidden balconies; it is believed they were built
for his five queens to listen in on court proceeding.
Sheesh Mahal - The Hall Of Mirrors
It is a fine example of a typical Rajput Sheesh Mahal. The mirror-work
includes large, regular pieces, rather than an intricate mosaic of tiny
fragments; another thing is the superimposition over the mirror-work of
brightly painted religious figures made in plaster.
Phool Mahal - The Palace Of Flowers
The Phool Mahal was created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724-1749). The
grandest of Mehrangarh's period rooms the Phool Mahal was in all likely
hood a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure; dancing girls once
swooned in exhaustion here under a ceiling rich in gold filigree.
Takhat Vilas - Maharaja Takhat Singh's Chamber
Built and lived in by Maharaja Takhat Singh (1843-1873), Jodhpur's last
ruler to reside in the Mehrangarh Fort, Takhat Vilas is an interesting
blend of styles, most traditional, but some, like the glass balls on the
ceiling, testifying to the modern age which arrived with the British.
Galleries In Mehrangarh Museum
Elephant's Howdahs
The howdahs were a kind of two-compartment wooden seat (mostly covered
with gold and silver embossed sheets), which was fastened on to the
elephant back. The front compartment with more leg space and raised
protective metal sheet was meant for kings or royalty and rear smaller
ones for a reliable bodyguard disguised flywhisk attendant.
Palanquins
Palanquins were a popular means of travel and circumambabulate for the
ladies of the nobility upto the second quarter of the 20th century. They
were also used by male nobility and royals on special occasions.
Daulat Khana - Treasures Of Mehrangarh Museum
This gallery displays one of the most important and best preserved
collection of fine and applied arts of the Mughal period of Indian
history, during which the Rathore rulers of jodhpur maintained close
links with the Mughal emperors.
Armoury
This Gallery displays a rare collection of Armour from every period in
Jodhpur. On display are sword hilts in jade, silver, rhine horn, ivory,
shields studded with rubies, emeralds and pearls, guns with gold and
silver work on barrels. The gallery also has on display personal swords
of many an emperor, among them are outstanding historical piece like the
Khanda of Rao Jodha, weighing over 7 pounds, the sword of Akbar the
Great and The sword of Timur the Lame.
Paintings
This Gallery displays colours of Marwar-Jodhpur, the finest example of
Marwar paintings.
The Turban Gallery
The Turban Gallery in the Mehrangarh Museum seeks to preserve, document
and display the many, many different types of turbans once prevalent in
Rajasthan ; every community, region and, indeed, festival has it's own
head-gear and this diversity, the colors of the desert, is wonderfully
brought out in this welcome addition to the museum.
The Folk Musical Instruments Gallery
There are a number of different types and kinds of folk musical
instruments, some particular to a group or community, and some to a
region.
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