Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

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Mehrangarh Fort is situated on a 150 m high hill. It was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. Seven gates have to be crossed to reach the fort. The gates still bear the marks of the various battles fought in the bygone era. One of the gates is Jayapol, meaning victory. It was built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Another gate, Fattehpol, again meaning victory, was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh as a celebration for defeating the Mughals.

Other attractions of Mehrangarh Fort include several palaces inside the fort, with their sprawling and huge courtyards. One of the fort's palaces, The Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace, has the royal throne of Jodhpur, the Sringar Chowki. The fort also has galleries and temples.

Mehrangarh Fort Museum is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan. It is beautifully laid out. It has a palanquin section where you can see a wide collection of old royal palanquins. The palanquin section of the museum of Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan, India also includes the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol palanquin, won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The heritage of the Rathores, including arms, costumes, paintings, decorated period rooms, etc, is exhibited in the museum. The museum gives us an idea of the grandeur of the royal families of the past.

The Mehrangarh Museum Trust was settled in March, 1972 by His Highness The Maharaja Gaj Singh II with the principal objective of setting up a world class museum in Jodhpur. It was intended that this museum eventually house and display the Maharaja's substantial collections; of miniature paintings, portraits, books and manuscripts, weapons, textiles and tents, elephant howdahs and palanquins, and various art.

The Trust was duly registered with the Government of Rajasthan in 1974 and commenced functioning in earnest in the same year with the Maharaja as its Managing Trustee. At the same time the Maharaja placed his ancestral fortress, the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, at the disposal of the new Trust directing it to develop and establish the planned museum within the fort premises itself. This was a significant and far-sighted direction since the fort eminently serves the purpose, not only in terms of historicity and authenticity, but also keeping in mind the security and care of the collections. Needless to say the conservation, and restoration where necessary, of the magnificent architecture of the fort itself was also a prime consideration behind this decision.