Secret Stories of Mighty Mehrangarh Fort at Jodhpur
Mighty Mehrangarh Fort at Jodhpur is one of the most impressive, colossal forts of Rajasthan. Rudyard Kipling called it “the work of giants”.
Rao Jodha, the 15th ruler of Rathore dynasty, laid the foundation of the fort on 12th May 1459, amidst all drama of a curse from a disturbed hermit, Cheeriya Nathji and four (?) human sacrifices.
This and other secret stories of mighty Jodhpur Fort in this post.
Stories of Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur
Stories of Mehrangarh Fort and Interesting Facts
Human Sacrifice for Mehrangarh Fort
History of Meherangarh Fort of Jodhpur is riddled with several interesting stories. In the place where the mighty fort of Mehrangarh stands today, there existed a hillock called Bhaurcheeria. This name translates to Mountain of Birds. It was dwelling of a hermit called Mehran Baba or Cheeria Nathji.
As per King Rao Jodha’s orders the hermit was evicted and they began construction of the Fort at the place. However the construction hardly progressed. Each time they would bring up a wall, it would crumble down in no time.
The hermit was naturally upset over his forceful eviction. To appease the hermit they built a temple at his place of penance.
In spite of this gesture the hermit went on to curse that the palace would be drought ridden. After a lot of discussions, consultations they could arrive at only one solution. Human sacrifice was required for the construction of Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur!
The foundation would be strong only if a man was buried there. Fortunately for the king, a poor skinner Rajaram Meghwal (or Rajiya Bhambi) volunteered to sacrifice his life at the foundation. His only condition or favor in return was that his family would be looked after till perpetuity by the king and his descendants.
Rajaram Meghwal’s wish was honored and till this date every year on Jodhpur’s founding day (May 12), the Maharaja worships the skinner’s tools and felicitates his kin.
A plaque stands there – a grim reminder that this mighty fort wouldn’t have existed but for this humble man’s sacrifice!
Jodhpur – The Sun City or Blue City
The city of Jodhpur was popularly known as Blue City of India. The color blue is associated with Brahmin, the highest caste of Hindus. One could find more blue houses in the vicinity of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort where more of Brahmins resided. Brahmin had the privilege to stay closer to the fort which had the King’s palace. Other caste people stayed further away from the fort.
Blue color is also considered as soothing as it repels heat and mosquitoes. However with changing times the color blue is no longer the predominant color of the city. Instead the city is now gaining a new name – the Sun City. Sun is the chief deity of Rathore dynasty which founded Jodhpur, hence the name.
One hundred and twenty feet high, with six meters thick walls, the fort is located on a hilltop 400ft above the city. The already impressive height is further exaggerated by intricately carved windows and jharokha.
Mehrangarh Fort Haunted
And just as any historical monument has hidden secrets within their walls; the Mehrangarh Fort too has its quota of dark secrets – wicked and scandalous. The blood curdling, spine chilling stories are mostly that of kings throwing people (some royal family members too) out to their death out of the windows of the palace.
With so many royal murders linked to this fort, over time it was secretly believed that Mehrangarh Fort is haunted. I am yet to find a single person who had ghostly experience here. Popular among the secret stories of Mehrangarh Fort are:
- Jaswant Singh, ruled from1873 to 1895, killed his mistress by throwing her out of the window. She was killed because she belonged to Jaswant Singh’s father and his father had entered his room.
- Maharaja Man Singh, ruled from 1803 to 1843, killed his prime minister by throwing him out of the window to death.
- Maharaja Ajit Singh, ruled from 1678 to 1724, was killed by his son.
- Rao Ganga, ruled from 1515 to 1532 fell down from the window and died while he was reveling in opium. Some say that Maldev, his son, pushed Rao Ganga from the window.
Mehrangarh Fort Architecture
The architectural details of Meherangarh Fort Jodhpur are amazing! This mighty fort is protected by high walls measuring 118 ft in height and 69 ft in width. Even today it has several palaces known for their intricate carvings on windows and expansive courtyards with temples. The fort museum has good display of a vast collection of paintings, costumes, arms and ammunitions from the Rathore rulers.
Jodhpur Fort Location
Jodhpur Fort is located on Malani Igneous Suite Contact of Aravalli range. This geological feature is the last phase of igneous activity of Precambrian age in the Indian Subcontinent. Geological Survey of India has marked this unique feature as National Geological Monument.
Mehrangarh Fort, a Patron of Traditional Art
Mehrangarh Fort is different from other forts of Rajasthan for its continued support and encouragement of traditional folk arts. As you tour the different courtyards of the different mahals within the fort complex you will see different artists dressed in the most colorful and exquisite costumes dance and perform to various Rajasthani folklore.
Rajasthani Man in traditional costume
7 Gates of Meherangarh Fort
There are 7 gates for this mighty fort, each with an interesting name! Gates are locally called pol – the names are: Fateh Pol, Gopal Pol, Bhairon Pol, Toati Pol, Dedh Kamgra Pol, Marti Pol, and Loha Pol. Just writing about these gates will make an interesting long post. Some day I must!
Meherangarh Fort Museums
Can you believe museums of Mehrangarh Fort are actually palaces! They are beautifully decorated and designed in typical Rajput architectural style. Famous ones worth visiting are: Famous palaces in the museum are Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana, and Daulat Khana.
Read my elaborate post – Moti Mahal, the grandest of all.
Facade of Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur
Tickets to Jodhpur Fort
Plan sufficient time to tour these rooms in leisure. Tickets are valid for just one time entry so make most use of it.
International Guests (includes the audio) – Rs. 600
International Guests (Students) – Rs. 400
Domestic Guests – Rs. 100
Domestic Guests (Sr. citizen, Student, Para Military personnel) – Rs. 50
Photography Permit : Still – Rs. 100
Photography Permit : Video – Rs. 200
Elevator (one-way) – Rs. 50
Tour Escort Fee – Rs. 120
Audio Guide – Rs. 180
Audio Guide (Concession) – Rs. 120
Timings: The place is open every day of the week from 9 am to 5 am
Best time to visit: It gets really hot during summer in Rajasthan the best time to visit the Jodhpur Fort would be from November to February.
Other sights: Khejarli Village of Bishnois
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(This post was written on Oct 30th, 2008.)
i love love love these photographs
🙂
rajasthan is amazing
all the history seeped into its soil!!!
hi, i’m adi
i came over from raji’s place
she mentioned us on her november 2 post
please do keep clicking and posting more of ur brilliant photographs
aweinspiring pictures! the place is really amazing!
A very good post and pictures Indrani…
but what is this naughty K(c)at saying there ??
send him to me..i will set him right…two, three homeworks and nothing done…
he’s talikng about looking at/out of the window, naughty chap…
thanks Indraani..
good job ;-))
wishes!
devika
thanks for the comment as well
Wow, what amazing photos!! When can I go?!
That is amazing, what intricate work! I must say that isn’t a good house for volatile people, what with the CLIFF out the bedroom window!
Hi Indrani! Back to the Blogosphere to visit this wonderful blog! And this time to be greeted with wonderful Jodhpur. One day I’ve to get there also… 😉 The Fort is absolutely stunning!
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is now strolling somewhere around the Holy See of Echmiadzin. Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!
Ineresting facts and great pictures, Indrani. Now I want to go there and see for myself.
Most spectacular set of photos. That blue city seen from the fort was really awesome, almost unreal.
These are wonderful photos.
This picture with the blue houses reminds of the move The Fall. When I saw the movie I wondered where they filmed it I think they filmed right there. Great pictures thanks for sharing. 🙂
beautiful shots. Amazing amazing.
I am beyond jealous! I want to hop on a plane this instant. I am dying to visit India.
Thanks for sharing. They are lovely pics.
One of your best posts and the pics are wonderful..rajasthan doesnt seem to be falling in place this year :(I will enjoy reading yr posts instead
Oh my gosh these structures are AMAZING! It gave me such goosebumps!!! And great story to accompany it. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Those pics bring back memories from 12 years ago, when I had an opportunity to visit the fort.
Could you solve any of those mysteries?
What an impressive building and so beautifully decorated! Thank you for sharing this and telling its history. Thanks for your visit to my blog.
Wow ! that’s very impressive !! I wish I could see that in real !
Your photos are are so amazing.
The Detail work is amazing!! I am enjoying your adventures of beautiful places I might not otherwise see!! Thank you…
Oh, I love that you take me on a wonderful, exotic trip every week…these are beautiful!!!
Wow you’re fast. I was still posting on my blog when I got your comment. 🙂
These photos are so awesome. Our country is so young compared to many others and we have nothing this old. I would love to explore these old buildings.
Breath taking! I would love to see something like that!
Fantastic building and the history is rich..Very beautiful indeed..Thanks for sharing Indrani..
Those buildings are incredible! Amazingly beautiful, and they are still so clean, compared to the cathedrals in Europe which are all backened by soot and exhaust fumes unless they are cleaned regularly…
Wonderful tour! That architecture must be a labor of love and faith together!
Wow, this fort is impressive and the carvings too!
maghnificent and yet it looks precarious..so high up. luckily India is not in an earthquake prone area
thank you for this great tour to this very interesting place
Very great shots…
Is it an historic please ???
The Fort’s pictures are breath-taking.
Moral learnt is not to attend foundation laying ceremony, when
palaces are built. One never knows – you could end up as part
of the foundation :)))
Muruga.. got to be wary straying near the windows of this fort…
lots of people seemed to have been tossed out, thro’ them..!!!