Location of Junagarh Fort and Junagarh Fort Museum, History of Junagarh Fort and Junagarh Fort Museum, Architecture of Junagarh Fort and Junagarh Fort Museum, Visiting hours in Junagarh Fort and Junagarh Fort Museum.
Location of Junagarh Fort and Junagarh Fort Museum:
This huge land laid Fort was originally known as Chintamani Fort and it is located at a distance of 1.5 Km from Bikaner City Center in Bikaner City, District Bikaner, Rajasthan.
History of Junagarh Fort and Junagarh Fort Museum:
It was built by Rao Rai Singh (1574-1612 A.D.), the sixth ruler of Bikaner and a general in the army of Mughal Emperor Akbar and his son Emperor Jahangir. Its foundation stone was laid on 17 February, 1589 A.D. and it was completed on 17 January, 1594 A.D. Many structures were added by the later rulers of Bikaner through four Centuries. It continued to be occupied by the royal family of Bikaner until they shifted to Lallgarh Palace in 1902 A.D. Since it was the old residence of the royal family, hence it was named as Junagarh (Juna means old).
Architecture of Junagarh Fort and Junagarh Fort Museum:
This Fort is a magnificent example of architecture and is regarded as a Precious Gem in the midst of the Thar Desert. It is a formidable structure having a thick 986 meters long stone wall encircled by a moat, with 37 bastions and two entrances. The East facing Karan Pol is the main entrance gate, the other gate is Surya Pol. The Fort has beautifully carved stone corridors, pavilions, balconies, minarets, gigantic columns, arches, elegant royal quarters, finely adorned courtyards, pretty kiosks, lattice windows and steep staircases.
The Fort Complex has a number of Palaces constructed in red sandstone of Dulmera and marble :
Chandra Mahal – It has beautiful paintings on the lime plaster walls.
Phool Mahal – It is the oldest Palace, built by Rao Rai Singh. It is ornamented with motifs of trays and flower vases. Its walls are ornamented with stucco work and flower patterns made of tiny colored glass pieces and mica shreds.
Anup Mahal – The Private Audience Hall – It is known for its gold leaf paintings. It has one throne where the ruler used to sit to entertain most of his foreign guests and other high officials. It is adorned with old and antique carpets. One very beautiful carpet based on Persian design was got prepared by Maharaja Rao Ganga Singh in Bikaner Jail.
Karan Mahal – The Public Audience Hall – It was built in 1680 A.D. by Maharaja Rao Anup Singh (1669-1698 A.D.), the ruler of Bikaner, in the memory of his father Rao Karan Singh (1631-1689 A.D.). Its design is based on the classical Mughal style of architecture. It has wooden ceiling resting on a broad cornice and a surrounding gallery behind a row of cusped arches resting on short bellied columns. It has been adorned with pure white marble and exquisite stucco work.
Dungar Niwas – It was built during the reign of Narendra Maharaja Rao Dungar Singh (1872-1887 A.D.). It is highly decorated and gilded with predominantly white theme and has mirrors placed in the walls at intervals and a picture of the ruler above an alcove.
Vikram Vilas – It has been named after King Vikramaditya, the great dispenser of justice in ancient India. It housed a collection of war souvenirs, elephant howdah and Nalki.
Badal Mahal – The Hall of Clouds – It is adorned with blue and white clouds, reflecting the longing for rain in this arid area.
Gaj Mandir – It was built during the reign of Maharaja Rao Gaj Singh (1746-1787 A.D.). Its walls are covered with elegant Mughal niches and panels enclosed by a framework of marble plaster slabs, which are carved into various Mughal floral designs behind which mirrors have been placed.
Har Mandir – The Har Mandir is a majestic Temple once used by the royal family for worshipping their gods and goddesses.
Ganga Niwas – It was built by General Narendra Maharaja Sir Rao Ganga Singh (the ruler of Bikaner between 1887-1943 A.D.).
Durbar Hall – This huge hall now houses Junagarh Fort Museum. An ancient throne made of sandalwood along with heirlooms of the Rathore dynasty are displayed here. These were brought by Rao Bika Ji from Jodhpur. Earlier the throne belonged to the Kings of Kannauj. The Museum also displays post medieval period arms, modes of transportation prevalent during post medieval times, Siddhis equipment used by Siddhas (persons who gain extraordinary spiritual powers through rigorous austerities and hence are able to walk on fire, swords and spikes) and an Aeroplane used during 1st World War. A gallery is dedicated to Maharaja Rao Ganga Singh displaying items used by him like a Telephone, an office equipment, reading glasses and Bikaner State Coin.
Other Palaces worth seeing are Sheesh Mahal, Rang Mahal and Bijai Mahal. The Fort Complex also has sprawling gardens.
Visiting Hours in Junagarh Fort and Junagarh Fort Museum:
The Fort remains open on all days except Sundays from 10.00 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
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