21 Famous Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan are surrounded by various tourist spots that still maintain a diorama of the medieval clamor and are known for their royal aura and fascinating past rich with tales of chivalry and valiance. Since the dawn of time, several kingdoms have invaded and ruled this wonderful region in India, but none of them have been able to challenge the princely position of the Rajput and Jat rulers. As a result, Rajasthan's stunning architectural creations are forts, castles, Havelis, and temples built by the Rajputs and Jats. Most of these massive structures date back to the Middle Ages; only a tiny portion has been retained as the royal family's private mansions, while the others have been transformed into public spaces like government buildings and old-style lodgings.

Fascinating Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

Having a noble aura and a vibrant past, Rajasthan is filled with tales of bravery and courage. Numerous monarchs attacked and ruled over this great state in India, yet they could not harm the princely state or the exquisite forts and palaces of Rajasthan. In the past, Rajasthan was home to roughly 20 princely states, each of which was secured by a rogue army and a massive fort. And for that reason, there are so many forts in Rajasthan. Let's examine the well-known forts and palaces of Rajasthan, along with other prominent tourist destinations.

1.  Amber Fort and Palace, Jaipur

Raja Man Singh built the Amber Fort in the 16th century. The magnificent fort overlooks Maota Lake as it sits at the foot of the Aravalli mountain range. The Amber (Amer) Fort is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and design. It is constructed on a four-level design. It is a popular tourist attraction of Rajasthan. The red sandstone and marble used in the fort's building are an exquisite combination. The fort's features include the Sheesh Mahal, Hall of Public Audience, Hall of Private Audience, and Sukh Niwas. Along with a rich Hindu aesthetic, the fort that surrounds the Sheela Mata Temple has numerous gates and cobblestone pathways. The Amber Fort is frequently visited by tens of thousands of tourists from around the globe.

2. Jaigarh Fort 

To protect the Amber Fort, which is situated at the foot of the Cheel Ka Teela, Jai Singh built the Jaigarh Fort, often referred to as the Victory Fort, in 1726. One of the most important aspects of the fort is the enormous cannon, "Jaivana," which at the time was the largest gun on wheels in the entire globe. The fort is constructed with a sophisticated system of underground passageways and comprises the Laxmi Vilas, Lalit Mandir, Vilas Mandir, and Aram Mandir. The fort museum currently displays a collection of relics and armor from various Rajput clans.

3. Mandawa Fort 

The Mandawa Fort is notable for its painted archways, murals, and mirror works and exhibits some of the distinguishing qualities of Rajasthani architecture. You are taken back in time by the exquisite architectural design, that Nawal Singh finished in the 18th century. It maintains a palace filled with antiques. The Mandawa Fort is currently one of the ancient forts of Rajasthan.

4. Junagarh Fort

A famous landmark in the heart of Bikaner, the Junagarh Fort is a superb example of art, architecture, and culture. The complex's architecture blends Mughal, British, and Rajasthani elements and consists of numerous palaces, temples, and residences. Within the boundaries of the baronial fort, the old stone fort of Rajasthan, built-in 1478 by Maharaja Rao Bika, a member of the Rathore clan, is still in ruins. Later, between 1589 and 1594, the Junagarh Fort was constructed under the supervision of Raja Rai Singhji, a renowned military commander who had previously served in the courts of Emperor Akbar and his son Emperor Jahangir.

5. Jaisalmer Fort or Sonar Quilla 

The Jaisalmer Fort, also called Sonar Quila, is a three-layered walled fortification made of yellow sandstone. Its architectural characteristics include the Royal Palace, four large entrances, merchant Havelis, and temples that are both Hindu and Jain in origin, along with 99 bastions, two notable cannon positions, and other structures. The Shree Nath Palace and Vyas Haveli are two popular tourist attractions located inside the Jaisalmer Fort.

6. Meherangarh Fort

The Mehrangarh Fort, one of India's most important historical sites, has faced off against the forces of Jaipur and Bikaner. Rao Jodha, the Rathore monarch, placed the foundation stone for this enormous fort in 1459 with the assistance of Rao Nara. Later, it was prolonged by Jaswant Singh, who ruled from 1638 to 1678. The fort now has seven gates, including Jayapol, which celebrates victories over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner.

7. City Palace 

The City Palace in Udaipur is one of the most magnificent palaces in Rajasthan. This lavish palace was built by Maharana Udai Singh when he relocated his capital from Chittor in the middle of the 16th century. The palace was enlarged by subsequent kings throughout the years, and it is now a complex structure with 11 separate small palaces, entrances, balconies, towers, gardens, and cupolas that exhibit exquisite mirror work, wall murals, silverwork, inlay work, and leftover colored glass. The complex's primary features include the Bari Pol, Tripolia, and Hathi Pol entrances, the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, and Badi Mahal palaces, the museum, and the temples to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, and Meera Bai.

8. Umaid Bhawan Palace

Maharana Umaid Singh built the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, one of the largest houses in the world. It took almost 15 years to complete the 347 rooms that were initially intended to be constructed. The majority of the palace is still home to the royal family. There is also a collection that displays the most luxurious automobiles owned by the maharajas.

9. Chittaur Fort

The Chittor Fort is another magnificent building that draws visitors from all over the world. It is a 692-acre, hilltop UNESCO World Heritage Site in India that reveals the heroic history of the Mewar kings of Sisodia. Two memorials, two exquisitely designed temples, and numerous towering residences with baronial gates are scattered throughout the fort.

10. Kumbalgarh

The Kumbhalgarh Fort, one of Rajasthan's most significant cultural structures, is well known for its 36-kilometer-long wall with seven gigantic, menacing gates. It was built in the 15th century by Maharana Rana Kumbha atop the Aravalli Mountains. Inside the wall are more than 300 temples and different palaces, including the Badal Mahal (the birthplace of Maharana Pratap), a significant location in Rajasthani history. Another magnificent architectural design that is well known is the Shiva Temple.

11. Lake Palace 

Maharana Jagat Singh II built the stunning marble Lake Palace, originally known as Jag Niwas, between 1743 and 1746 in the middle of Lake Pichola and with a view of Udaipur City. It served as cover for the British troops in 1857 during the Indian Sepoy Mutiny. It is currently one of Udaipur's most popular tourist spots and the tourist attraction of Rajasthan. This palatial resort was renovated and given a modern appearance after being purchased by the Taj Group of Hotels, Resorts, and Palaces in 1971. It now features 83 exquisitely crafted rooms that gave a touch of royalty, restaurants, entertainment areas, swimming pools, and business centers.

12. Udai Bilas Palace

It is a 19th-century palace with a view of Gaib Sagar Lake and is encircled by the Aravalli Alps. Udai Bilas Palace is one of Rajasthan's most exquisite palaces as a result. It was constructed out of bluish-gray sandstone by Maha Rawal Udai Singhji, and today it is one of India's heritage hotels with 20 exquisite rooms that provide a very traditional and regal environment. 

13. Juna Mahal, Dungarpur

The Juna Mahal, with its carved windows and gates, glass and wall murals that feature Mewari architecture, and its intricately paved halls, is a superb example of Rajasthani architecture. It was built with numerous wings. Rawal Veer Singh Deo began construction on the initial structure in the thirteenth century, and it wasn't finished until the eighteenth.

14.  Rani Padmini Palace, Chittaurgarh

The Rani Padmini's Palace, one of India's most exquisite palaces of Rajasthan, is housed inside the massive Chittorgarh fort. The amazing architectural design of this palace and its gorgeous surroundings captivate visitors' thoughts. Rani Padmini, the second wife of Rawal Ratan Singh, the brave and righteous ruler of Mewar, resided at this palace. The palace is significant historically as a result of Rani Padmini's self-immolation during Alauddin Khilji's invasion in the thirteenth century.

15.  Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner

The Laxmi Niwas Palace, one of India's luxurious hotels, and the Lallgarh Palace Hotel, another famous palaces of Rajasthan, are both close by. One of Bikaner's stunning regal buildings, it was built between 1902 and 1926 and exhibits the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. It has several wings, one of which is home to the royal family while the others have been converted into museums. 

16.  Taragarh fort, Bundi

A feature of Bundi district architecture is the enormous Taragarh Fort. It is also known as Star Fort and was constructed in the sixteenth century. Tourists are unable to access the fort since there are no adequate maps, despite the fact that it was constructed with an amazing network of tunnels that crisscrossed the whole mountainside. Large water reservoirs, a small palace with exquisite stained glass and murals, and a tomb called "Miran Saheb Ki Dargah" are among the features of the fort.

17.  Deeg Palace, Bharatpur

The Deeg Palace is yet another magnificent example of Mughal architecture. Numerous intricately carved stone windows, gates, beams, and marble jalis are used in its design. It also features a building named Keshav Bhawan that maintains a canal that is lined with various fountains. It is one of the tourist attractions of  Rajasthan after your sightseeing in Bharatpur, which includes the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and Lohagarh Fort.

18.  Ranthambore Fort

The Ranthambore National Park, which includes the Ranthambore Fort, is home to a number of endangered animals and birds, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. In the eleventh century, the Nagil Jats, who were descended from Nagavanshi Mahapurusha Nagavaloka, built the building. Later, the Ranthambore Fort was governed by the Chauhan dynasty. The fort was repeatedly attacked by the Mughals, the Kings of Mewar, and the Delhi Sultans. The fort complex's existing architectural structures, along with palaces and temples, include the Jogi Mahal, Ganesha Temple, Shiva Temple, Ramlalji Temple, temples of Lord Sumatinath and Lord Sambhavanath, and others.

19.  Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur

On the edge of the Aravalli Hills is where the Nahargarh Fort is located. There, in 1734, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built a summer home. Later, Sawai Madho Singh erected various palaces, including the Madhavendra Bhawan, between 1883 and 1892, while Sawai Ram Singh extended the fort in 1868. The Jaigarh Fort's expanded walls connect it to the fort. Despite never being attacked and maintaining its original design throughout its existence, the fort did serve as a British army hideaway during the 1857 Indian Revolt. It comes under the Famous forts and palaces of Rajasthan.

20. Lohagarh Fort

According to legend, the Lohagarh Fort was the first "wonder of India" to successfully repel attacks from the British and Mughals in the middle of the 18th and early 19th centuries, respectively. On a man-made island in the middle of Bharatpur town, it is located. The fort did not disappoint in terms of living up to its reputation as one of the most potent structures ever built in Indian history. The Ashtadhatu Gate, which serves as the main entrance, and the Lohiya Gate were built using various metals that were brought back from Delhi when the Jats destroyed the Delhi Dynasty.

21. Chhatar Mahal or Palace of Towers

This grand structure in Bundi is tucked away on a mountainside and is only accessible through a paved walkway with a steep incline. The Hazari Pol also called the Gate of the Thousand, and the Hathi Pol, which houses an old water clock, are the two principal entrances to the palace. There are also the Naubat Khana pavilion and the Diwan-e-Aam public audience hall. It is a major historical landmark in Bundi.