Jaigarh Fort in Rajasthan
About 15 kilometers outside Jaipur lies the massive Jaigarh, whose name literally means “Victory Fort”. The Jaigarh Fort is located on top of a steep, inaccessible hill. One look at it and you know they chose the location well, for Jaigarh is almost unconquerable thanks to its vantage position.
If you do make it to the ramparts, don’t forget to look in at Jaivan, the massive cannon at the Fort. This cannon is the largest in the world, and that is not a surprise, because the strategically located Jaigarh was built to beat off attacks from everyone from the Mughals to local warring chieftains. Another feature of Jaivan is the presence of multiple water reservoirs, crucial to the survival of a defending army.
You can also visit the granary inside the fort, which could feed an army of thousands for years. The water reservoirs, similarly, were meant to help an army survive. The fort, the visitor has to admit, must have been pretty well stocked at one point of time.
If you do make it to the ramparts, don’t forget to look in at Jaivan, the massive cannon at the Fort. This cannon is the largest in the world, and that is not a surprise, because the strategically located Jaigarh was built to beat off attacks from everyone from the Mughals to local warring chieftains. Another feature of Jaivan is the presence of multiple water reservoirs, crucial to the survival of a defending army.
You can also visit the granary inside the fort, which could feed an army of thousands for years. The water reservoirs, similarly, were meant to help an army survive. The fort, the visitor has to admit, must have been pretty well stocked at one point of time.
If you are keen on exploring a little more, then start with the museum located within the fort. The artifacts on display include toys, coins, and old photographs. Within the fort is the munitions depot, where you can see some of the weapons, arms and ammunition that were created for purpose of defending from enemy attacks. If you are something of a weapons expert, or just want to know how the ammunition was manufactured, visit the foundry. It is here that the entire process of creating the lethal pieces was completed.
The other attractions within the fort are the palaces, gardens, and numerous temples that found safety within the fort. A local legend has it that the fort hides a treasure. This legend attracted so many treasure hunters to the fort that authorities had to close it to visitors for seven years. Luckily, now the fort has been opened to visitors again, though no one is sure what happened to the fabled treasure.
The Jaigarh Fort is not pretty, like the other forts in Rajasthan. Its sole purpose was to keep the inhabitants safe, and thus you will not find pretty frescoes, etchings, or grand stone carvings at the entrance. The Jaigarh Fort is strictly functional, and no part of it is meant for mere ornamentation.
However, the majesty of the fort, the grim battlements and the wide ramparts are a marvel of architecture, by any standard.
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