Rajasthan in North Western India is famous for its valiant Rajputs who courageously fought against the Mughal invaders and then the British in India. The grand forts of Rajasthan stand even today, majestically poised on hills and crags, daring the invader to try and scale their lofty walls. While the outer walls of the impressive forts of Amer Fort in Jaipur, Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer Fort in Jaisalmer and many other forts of Rajasthan may appear bare and decorated only with heavy fortifications, the palaces safely guarded within these forts are a sight to behold. Intricate carved screens, delicately painted walls and ceilings, parks and garden with fragrant flowers, the palaces located within the forts of Rajasthan provided a pleasant place to stay for the royal family and their courtiers.

Many of these forts and palaces of Rajasthan are now Heritage hotels, so you too can experience what life is like in the beautiful palaces hidden behind the Fort's towering walls. Imagine you're a brave Maharaja striding along the ramparts, surveying his troops, or a regal Maharani arming her men for battle. Ride camel or an elephant along the Fort grounds and experience a life of royal luxury in the Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan.

RAJASTHAN - FORTS

Taragarh Fort - Kota

The Taragarh Fort in Kota was built in 1345 and was the center of a kingdom in Rajasthan. The entrance to the fort, which is about 39 km from Kota, is by a sharply sloping road, which leads to the impressive gateway. The gateway is topped with carvings of proudly rearing elephants. On the largest rampart of the fort is the Bhim Burj, a large and legendary cannon. The view of Kota town from Taragarh Fort is spectacular, particularly at twilight and just after sunset.

Junagarh Fort - Bikaner

Junagarh Fort in Bikaner is an impressive fort built by a Rajput ruler. Raja Rai Singh in 1587. A fort which has never been conquered, though it has been attacked many times, Junagarh Fort is an impressive monument, with huge towers and battlements for defence. Junagarh Fort contains 37 palaces and many temples and pavilions. Many of the inner rooms of the palaces are beautifully decorated and painted in traditional style.

Chittorgarh Fort - Chittorgarh

Chittorgarh Fort is known for its heroic history. The stories of the valiant Rajput men and women, who sacrificed their lives in the defense of their honor and this grand fort, live on in the ambience of this impressive structure in Chittorgarh. Some of the structures worth seeing in the Chittorgarh Fort are the Fateh Prakash Palace, the Rani Padmini Palace and the Rana Kumbha Palace. The Vijay Stambha or Tower of Victory, a popular landmark in Chittorgarh Fort, is a grand 122-feet high structure. It was built by Rana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Sultan Muhammed Khilji of Malwa.

Amber Fort - Near Jaipur

Amber Fort (also known as Amer Fort) is located 11 km from Jaipur. Set on the banks of Maota Lake, this grand fort was built by Raja Man Singh with later additions by Raja Jai Sigh I and Raja Jai Singh II. Raja Man Singh, who was an important military leader in the army of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, began this fort in 1592. Amber Fort was later used by the Kachwaha rulers as their capital. Tourists can enter Amber Fort by riding on elephant back up to the impressive Singh Pol gateway.

Mehrangarh Fort - Jodhpur

Dominating the skyline of Jodhpur town, the Mehrangarh Fort is a majestic monument built by Rao Jodha in 1459. Towering 400 feet above the city, the Mehrangarh Fort has never been conquered in battle. is a heritage monument in an excellent state of preservation, which is open to the public as the Mehrangarh Museum. Various structures within the fort include exquisitely painted rooms, a collection of weapons and armor and an ambience of impressive Rajput history.

Jaigarh Fort - Jaipur

Jaigarh or Fort of Victory was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1726. This grand fort has the largest wheeled cannon or Jaivan perched on its battlements. Jaigarh Fort was used as the treasury of the royal family of Jaipur. The Fort offers superb views of Jaipur town and the nearby Amber Fort. The fortifications, museum and the ingenious water storage system are worth seeing on your tour of Jaigarh Fort.

Golden fort or Sonar Kila - Jaisalmer

The stunning Jaisalmer Fort made of golden yellow sandstone set is like an amber jewel in the Rajasthan desert. Situated on Trikuta Hill in Jaisalmer, this magnificent fort was built by Raja Jaisal, a chieftain of the Bhatti tribe in 1156 A.D. It is one of the oldest forts in Rajasthan. The imposing walls of the fort, which enclose a mini-township consisting of houses of merchants and their shops, has a 30 ft high sandstone barrier, which includes 99 bastions.

RAJASTHAN PALACES

Amer Palace - Jaipur

Man Singh I, a Kachwaha ruler of Jaipur, and a military leader in the service of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, built the beautiful Amer Palace. The Ganesh Pole, Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal and Sukh Niwas are structures of historical interest in this beautiful palace characterized by its luxury and splendor.

City Palace - Jaipur

The City Palace Jaipur is also known as the Chandra Mahal or Moon Palace and it is here that the royal family of Jaipur stays even today. The Sawai Man Singh II Museum, which is open to the public, occupies the ground floor and the courtyards of the City Palace. The Krishna Temple a well-known temple in Jaipur is located in the Jai Niwas Garden, to the North of the City Palace.

City Palace - Udaipur

The city Palace Udaipur is like a fairytale palace. It combines elements of Chinese and European architecture and has a number of turrets, domes and arches to form a fascinating sight. The palace is made of granite and marble and is built on a raised height and encircled by ramparts. Overlooking Lake Pichola, the City Palace Udaipur was built by Maharana Udai Singh of the ruling the Sisodia clan.