Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort, one of the most impressive forts of Northern India

Junagarh Fort was built by Raja Rai Singhji, who ruled Bikaner from 1571 to 1612 AD. The fort was originally known Chintamani and was renamed to Junagarh (Old Fort) in the early 20th century when the ruling family moved to Lalgarh Palace.

External Facade

The wall outside Daulat Pol has the hand prints of women who committed sati after their husbands died in battle while defending the fort from the enemy forces. Rajput women preferred death to dishonor and sati was a common practice before it was banned in 1929. Even today, locals place flowers and other offerings below the hand prints.

Sati hand prints outside the main entrance

Junagarh is one of the few forts in Rajasthan which is not built on a hilltop.

Vikram Vilas

Karan Mahal Chowk

Karan Mahal was conceived by Raja Karan Singhji and erected as a Public Audience Hall by  Maharaja Anup Singhji as a monument in his father’s memory.

Karan Mahal Chowk

The architecture has a strong Mughal influence especially in the use of white marble and stucco designs.

Karan Mahal

Anup Mahal

This multi storey building functioned as the administrative headquarters.

Anup Mahal

The ornate wooden ceilings are inlaid with Italian tiles and mirrors.

Ceiling, Anup Mahal

Badal Mahal

This Mahal, an extension of Anup Mahal, has frescos on the walls and ceilings depicting Lord Krishna and his consort Radha amidst the rain clouds.

Badal Mahal

Gaj Mandar

This served as the private apartment of Maharaja Gaj Singhji and of his two queens, Phul Kanwar and Chand Kanwar.

Gaj Mandar

This was built by an architect who was personally summoned from Jaipur by the Maharaja.

Gaj Mandar

Sujan Mahal

Sujan Mahal

Roof

View from the Roof

Roof

Roof

Dungar Nivas

This palace was named after Maharaja Dungar Singh, who is widely regarded as the architect of modern Bikaner.

Dungar Nivas

When the 19th ruler of Bikaner, Maharaja Sardar Singh, died without an heir, his widow adopted Dungar Singh, son of Lall Singh.

Ceiling, Dungar Nivas

Maharaja Dungar Singh is known for the reforms he introduced during his reign including division of the state into districts for easier adminstration, and introduction of electricity in Bikaner in 1886.

Dungar Nivas

Dungar Singh later on adopted his brother Ganga Singh to be his successor.

Ceiling, Dungar Nivas

Lal Nivas

This is one of the oldest palaces in the fort, dating to 1595.

Lal Niwas

The walls and ceiling are decorated with floral motifs in red and gold.

Lal Niwas

Darbar Hall

This hall served as the Hall of Private Audiences where only distinguished guests were allowed to enter and meet the Maharaja.

Darbar Hall

The throne, made of sandalwood, belonged to the kings of Kanauj. It was brought to Bikaner by Rao Bika from Jodhpur.

Darbar Hall