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The Fort of Kota

Sep 20

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Kota Fort, Rajasthan

Kota Fort, Rajasthan

About Kota City

Kota, situated on the eastern bank of the Chambal at a distance of 120 miles from Ajmer stands enclosed by a massive wall on the southern extremity of which the fort lies on a moderate eminence. The city of Kota is surrounded by huge rampart wall of unusual height, sixty to seventy feet on three sides. Chambal, the boon of Rajasthan which flows western side forms a natural unsurpassable moat to the fort as well as to the city.

Geography and Architecture of Kota Fort

The fort is situated on the southern extremity of the rampart walls on the land of moderate eminence, was built by Madhosingh in 1631 A.D. These massive and vast embattled wall of Kota Fort stands pierced with six gates among which Surajpol , Kishorpur, Palanpol, Kaithunipol are very imposing.

The main gate in the castle is built in the usual style and flanked by projecting balconies. The bastions to the southern side are massive, huge and vast while those erected to the north are marked by their rather slender form and upward height. These were erected in this particular way to afford special protection againest the enemy attack .

A circle of these bastions is formed here and it gives this portion the shape of a fort within fort.The space between the series of towers stands duly protected by the embattled wall crowning the palaces. Some towers connected with the ramparts are also thrown along the way of the fort.

Attractions of Kota Fort

The Kota Fort is known for its Durbar Hall which has beautiful paintings and mirror work and has doors of ebony and ivory. There are exquisite miniature paintings housed within the Durbar Hall. The Maharajas of Kota later abandoned the fort and build various palaces.

The palaces of kota situated within the four walls of the Castle stands as an admirable mixture of Indo-Muslim style of architecture. The small turrents, cupolas and minarets, slightly projecting eaves, balconies, canopy like roofs of the palaces, all put together present a charming picture over looking the purple water of the fast flowing turbulent Chambal below.

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The Fort of Jhalawar- Gagron Fort

Sep 19

Posted by mystaterajasthan in rajasthan fort | 1 Comment

The Fort of Jhalawar - Gagron Fort

The Fort of Jhalawar - Gagron Fort

The Gagron fort stands majestically on the crest of a hill at the confluence of the Kalisind and the Ahurivers. The former surrounding it from three sides provides an unsurpassable barrier.

Location and Architecture

The valley near Gagron is full three miles wide, the soil fertile and the scenery highly picturesque. The forest of each side echoed with screams of the peacocks, the calls of partridge, and the note of jungle cock who was crowing his motives as the sun gladdened hi retreat.

The fort of Gagron situated among such natural environs is regarded as one of the most important forts of Rajasthan. The fort was constructed by the Dod Rajputs in whose possession it remained up to the 12th century, A.D. The fort is also called Dodgarh after its founder.

The pecularity of the fort is its natural defence consisting of mountainous ranges covered with forests through which gushes out the on-rushing water of the rivers. It present a bold and striking object.

The parrots of Gagron are famous allover Rajasthan. The Mosque of Mithashah built in hindu style of architecture contains an inscription in persian. The inscription pertains to the Rao of Bikaner who was the Mughal Governor of the fort. Another inscription denotes the construction of a cenotaph by Main Ishan.

The icons of Durga, Ganesha and Shiva are erected in a temple built in the ancient style. This fort has been a central place place of activity and it’s solidity of natural defenses baffled the Zeal of the invader.

According to Tod, a traveler, “Independent of ancient association, there is a wild grandeur about Gagron, which makes it well worthy of visit and the views from the north side must be still finer than from ather point.” The turbulent kalisind forces its passage from the rocky mountains and dains forest to the valley of great depth below and presents a very beautiful sight.

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Forts in Rajasthan – A Glimpse of Great Walls

Aug 29

Posted by iloverajasthan in rajasthan fort | No Comments

Forts in Rajasthan - Walls to Rajputana Dynasty

Forts in Rajasthan - Walls to Rajputana Dynasty

Rajasthan is the land of forts. Almost every hill has a fortification on its summit. Some stand on the banks of a  river or occupy a kindred site. Most of them perch on the top of a precipitous hill of great height. Their close proximity consolidated the defences of the region and threw an unsurpassable barrier in the way of the enemy.

Concept of Fortification and Stretch in Rajasthan

Many of these forts stand in a delapidated condition today mourning over their lost grandeur but a large number are so well preserved as to retain their medieval defences practically intact. This concept of fortification originates from man’s sense of security. It was this sense of protection which was instrumental in giving rise to the system of fortification.

A large number of forts were built on the far stretched Arawali ranges. In the central and eastern hilly ranges there is an unbreakable double line of forts; in the western part stand the forts of chittor, Mandalgarh, Jahajpur and Bundi while in the eastern part of those Rampura, Rath, Kheri, Tamangarh, Bhansrodgarh, Kota, Indegard, Ranthambhor, Utgir and Bayana etc.

Architectural Designs

Generally a high wall defended by precipies was selected and the side that offered any facility of ascent was cut in to form a steep sinuous path. Many powerful gates were thrown across this path. The curtain walls were protected by wide and deep moats being crossed at the gates by bridges. The battlements had generally two tiers of loopholes and were of great thickness.

Major Forts in Rajasthan

If you start counting the number, there are more than 1000 forts, though there are always some of the mighty and the popular ones. Chittorgarh Fort, Amber Fort,  Nahargarh,  Jaigarh,  Kumbalgarh Fort, Ranthambhor Fort, Jalore Fort,  Bala Fort of Alwar, Taragarh Fort of Ajmer, Bundi Fort, Meherangarh Fort, Achalgarh Fort of Abu, Mandalgarh Fort of Mewar, Fort of Bayana, Fort of Timangarh, Khandar and Shergarh of Hadhoti, Junagarh of Bikaner, Lohagarh of Bharatpur, Sonar Fort of Jaisalmer, Chomu Fort of Jaipur, Gagron Fort and Bhaisrodgarh Fort are the ones that forms the top of the list.

I would be writing a post on all of these forts and may be some of the others not known but unique in their architectural beauty and history. This series of forts is presented for all my traveler friends so that they get enlightened about the very and mighty walls to Kingdom of the Rajputana dynasty.

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