- Type
- Fortress
- Origins
- 1589 · 16th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Coordinates
- 28.0220°, 73.3177°
History
The fortress was built in 1589–1594 for Raja Rai Singh, sixth ruler of Bikaner and one of Emperor Akbar's generals, with construction overseen by his prime minister Karan Chand; the foundation ceremony was held on 17 February 1589 and the fort was completed on 17 January 1594. Unlike most Rajput forts it does not stand on a hill but on the flat ground of the Thar Desert; it was protected by massive bastioned walls and a moat that no longer exists. Over more than three centuries successive rulers added palaces, temples and pavilions within the walls, blending the Rajput style with Mughal influences. The fort was originally called Chintamani; it acquired the name Junagarh, the “Old Fort”, in the early 20th century, when Maharaja Ganga Singh moved to the new Lalgarh Palace in 1902. Today it is cared for by a royal family trust.
What to see
The yellow sandstone Suraj Pol gate leads into courtyards surrounded by tiers of red sandstone palaces. The finest interiors are the Karan Mahal, the Anup Mahal with its rich gilding and lacquer, the oldest part, the Phool Mahal, with inlaid glass and mirror work, and the Badal Mahal with its painted clouds. The Ganga Singh Hall in the Ganga Mahal houses a museum with a collection of weapons and a First World War biplane.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q2758341
Popularity: articles about this site in 12 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).