FORTS OF RAJASTHAN(Jodhpur)
FORTS OF RAJASTHAN(Jodhpur)
ON an auspicious hour of 13 May 1459 Rao Jodha Singh laid the foundation of a fort and also commenced construction of the city which came to-be known after him as Jodhpur Fort and Jodhpur city, respectively. And, following the tradition, a person named Rajiya Bhati was butied alive in the foundation in the superstitious belief that such a course enhances longevity of the fort. But the grants of land to the family of the deceased would have in no way compensated their loss.
The fort which stands on a hill which is 400 feet in height, about 500 yards in length and about 250 yards in breadth, has an area of about two quare miles. It is encircled by a 24,600 feet long, three to nine feet thick and 15 to 30 feet high massive wall which is further strengthened in many places by towers, buttresses and ramparts having loopholes and bastions for defence.
The fort has six gates, viz. Jalor, Hasta, Nagaur, Siwana, Sojat and Chandpol with sharp spikes to protect them from ramming by elephants. There was also a seventh gate which was weak. There are two entrances Fatehpol and Jaipol. The former was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh shortly after Aurangazeb's death in 1707 and the latter by Maharaja Man Singh about a hundred years later. The door of the Fatehpol is said to have been brought from Ahmedabad by the Thakur of Nimach in or about 1731.
The principal buildings, in the fort are a series of apartments and palaces. The Moti Mahal was built by Sawai Raja Sur Singh and additions to it were made by Maharaja Takhat Singh. The Fateh Mahal was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to commemorate the explosion of Mughul garrison in 1708. These buildings are decorated with beautifully carved panels and pierced screens of red stone and some of the ceilings and walls possess fresco paintings. Each prince has left memories of his style of architecture.
There are two small lakes, viz. Rani Talab to the east and Gulab Sagar to the South from which the garrison used to draw water. There is a kund or reservoir about 90 feet deep, besides two wells also existed. The one within the citadel was called Patiala and the other was Chaukiloo.
