A Guide to the Forts of Rajasthan, India

When I lived in Rajasthan, India, one of my favorite things was the rich architecture, particularly the forts and palaces. From my rooftop in Jodhpur and from almost anywhere else in the city for that matter, I could look up and see the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. I'll never forget my first trip there, and the way that walking through the halls of a building unlike any we have in the United States ignited my imagination. If you want to take a step back in time and dream about princely battles and opulent lifestyles, be sure to visit the forts of Rajasthan the next time you go to India. Below is a list of some of the forts in Rajasthan that you don't want to miss.

The Fort in Jodhpur, India

Mehrangarh Fort
Fort Road
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone: 291-254-8790
www.mehrangarh.org

Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, is truly one of the most majestic forts in all of India. Founded in 1450 by Rao Jodha and added to be later maharajas until its completion in the 19^th century, sits atop a 400-foot high hill. The fort houses a museum that displays artifacts of Indian royalty. There is also a nice selection of Indian miniature paintings available for sale.

My Favorite Fort in Jaipur, India

There are actually three forts in Jaipur, but Amber Fort is one of my favorites and the favorite of many tourists as well. The Amber Fort is one of the better places in India to have an opportunity to take a ride on a brightly decorated elephant. In fact, Amber Fort was the first place I ever rode an elephant.

The construction of Amber Fort began in 1592 and took 125 years to complete. The art and architecture of Amber Fort combines both Rajput and Moghul influences.

Amber Fort Location

Amber Fort is actually located 11 kilometers (7 miles) north of Jaipur, but any rickshaw or taxi driver can easily get you there.

Hours of operation: Open daily from 9 .m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telephone: 0141/253/0293

When you visit the forts in Rajasthan, plan to also visit palaces that are typically located very close to the fort. Some of the palaces have been converted into luxury hotels, so if your pocketbook permits, you might want spend a day touring a fort and then spend the night in the luxury of an Indian palace right next door.

If you want a taste of royalty but can't quite afford a night in a palace, try making dinner reservations at a palace. My husband and I celebrated an unforgettable wedding anniversary on the terrace of the palace in Jodphur. The food was better than any I've had in India, we were served by waiters wearing Indian formal wear, including formal turbans and we had a beautiful view of the city lights as dusk turned to night.

References:

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: India, pages 351-401
Frommer's India, page 522

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these other India travel articles by Rebecca Livermore:

A Guide for Getting Around Delhi, India
An Indian Manners Guide for Foreign Tourists
How to Cross the Street in India and Live to Tell About It
McDonalds in India: Where's the Beef?