Mehrangarh Fort - The Crown of Jodhpur

The Imposing Fort of Jodhpur - The Mehrangarh Fort 

by @Kurt993 

The Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Mehrangarh Fort, the crown glory of Jodhpur is another grand hill fort of Rajasthan. This fort was built perpendicular and invulnerable on a rocky hill known as Bhaurcheeria, "the mountain of birds". The fort stands a hundred feet above the Jodhpur city and four hundred feet from its skyline. 

The walls of Mehrangarh Fort

The Mehrangarh Fort is one of those forts in Rajasthan which takes a number of huge gates to enter. This fort is guarded by huge imposing thick walls from all four sides. Its walls are about 36 meters high and 31 meters wide and towers above the plain. The fort was built by H.H. Rao Jodha in mid 14th century. The fort is built using red stone, which was taken from the same hills on which the fort rests now.

It is said that "Mehrangarh Fort is a fort that might have been built by Titans and colored by the morning sun". As the word "Mehr" means the Sun, giving it a name as the Sun Fort.    

The main entrance of Mehrangarh Fort, Jai pole

One has to enter the Mehrangarh Fort through the Jai pole and to reach the main palace complex's entrance gate, one has to pass through the sixth gate of the fort which is known as the Loha pole. The Loha pole also controls the final turn into the main part of the Mehrangarh fort complex. On the side walls of this gate, one will notice some handprints (31 on one side and five on the other) of royal ladies. These handprints are said to be of those royal ladies of Mehrangarh Fort, who performed Sati on the death of their spouse.

Stone carvings inside the main palace

On entering the last gate of this fort one enters the main courtyard of the main palace that's Srinagar chowk. The Srinagar chowk is a Rajasthani epitome in itself with Rajasthani stone carved walls and the overhanging enclosed balcony with jharokhas.

One can also take the flying fox over the walls of the fort to witness the bastions, walls, and lakes on the north side of the fort. 

"I am going to write another blog on Mehrangarh Fort, keep reading for more"