Junagarh Fort
(1.5 K.M. form the center of
the city)
It is one of the interesting sights of Bikaner; You can see numerous
places the Fort. The fort was founded by the sixth ruler of Bikaner
state, namely Lord Rai Singh, in 1589 A.D., who was one of the
distinguished generals of the Mugal Emperor ‘Akbar, the great’.
Additions to this fort were made by difference successors. It forms a
quadrangle with a perimeter of 986 meters (1,078 years) it has 37
Bastions, a strong curtain wall and nine meter wide moat. There are
two entrances: one is in the east and the other in the west. The
eastern entrance is southern rampart were damaged during the attack by
jodhpur army in 1973 A.D., cannon balls fired by them still mark the
southern façade of the fort. The entrance to the Fort is through Suraj
Pole (Sun Gate) a big vaulted hall opening on two sides through double
arches. Two life size statues of elephants decorate the entrance.
Karan Mahal(Palace)
The beautiful palace was built by Lord Karan Singh, the ninth ruler of
Bikaner State, who ruled the State, during 1631-1685 A.D., He wad
general in the army of Mugal emperor Aurangzeb. The Karan Palace is
one of the most interesting palaces of Junagarh Fort. This particular
palace was special court where the lord used to hold meetings with his
distinguished knights. The silver throne of Lord Karan Singh is still
kept there. Once travellers could enter that palace, but not it is
covered with glass, so you may only peep through glass.
Anup Mahal (palace)
Anup Mahal (Palace)
It is of the best palaces of Junagarh fort and probably the most
elegant one, built by the 10th Lord of Bikaner State, his highness
Anup Singh, Who ruled between 1669- 1698 A.D.
Gilded floral designs of the palace with the red back round are
elaborately executed. Presain looking carpets enhance the glory of the
palace. Those carpets were made by the prisoners of Bikaner Jail.
Number of times the coronation of the rulers was held there and the
palace has witness the historical moments when, during the rituals was
held there and the palace ruler of Bikaner state took Oath, “ I shall
enhance the glory and defend the border of this state, til the last
drop of blood is my body’.
This particular palace was “Darbar hall” for the lord, such a hall
where only distinguished knights and guest could enter. In that palace
you can see red throne of Lord Anup Singh. This palace is symbol of
the glory of bygone era of Rajasthan.
Floral Palace (The Phool Mahal)
The palace was built during the reign of Lord Rai Singh, the founder
of the fort. The walls of that palace are decorated with floral
designs. That is why it is called the floral palace. These paintings
are executed by Muslim artists who were called “ Usta’ A community of
great painters. These floral paintings are very beautiful and Bikaner
fort is proud to have such beautiful floral paintings.
Moon Place and Mirror palace (Chander Mahal & Sees Mahal)
The moon palace is just adjacent to the floral palace. It was also
built in the reign of sixth lord of Bikaner State, His high ness Rai
Singh, There are lots of the hindu Gods and Goddesses. It was the room
where lord Rai Singh used to worship. In one of the sides of the
palace there are a couple of gates. Go through one of the gates and
toy will find your self in the mirror palace. Walls of that palace are
studded with mirrors and they are fixed in such a way that, if a
candle is lit then its reflection can be seen in many mirrors and it
makes the particular palace very glorious. In walls of the Mirror
palace there are several cavities and during the reign of sixth lord
(Lord Rai Singh, who Made that palace) lamps were lit and palace in
the cavities.
Private chamber of mirror palace (Phool Mahal Ki Sal.)
There is one gate in mirror palace. Just cross the gate and you will
find yourself in a private chamber of mirror palace it is called in
Hindi language, ‘Phool Mahal Ki Sal”. In that particular palace. There
is a very short bed placed. The bed is symbol of threat which lords of
desert country would receive from their receive from their relatives.
Following is the story related about the small bed.
In 1439 A.D., his highness Lord Ridmal, Grand father of Lord Bika, was
brutally murdered by his domestic opponents. His domestic opponents
first tied him to this bed when heavily drunk lord Ridaml was sleeping
in his palace. Though they were 17 opponents, still they had to
courage to face the three handed lord. When the lord was sword with
the sword he rose and found himself encircled by his domestic
opponents. Though he was tied, still he fought and killed most of them
and then ultimately received a fatal wound. After that incident the
rulers of Rathore dynasty took an oath that they would sleep on such a
short bed that their legs would touch the ground so that if some
attacked the, they could stand up on their feet and face the enemy.
Besides these palaces. There are some other palaces, in the fort of
Bikaner, but there are not being explained in the present edition of
this book, because guides are available in side the fort, there will
show you all the palaces.
How to get there.
You may join Conducted sight seeing tour, organized by the
’Desert Tours’ behind head post office, Bikaner.
If you don’t like going organized tour then you may go alone.
It is situated just of the first gate of the fort. It provides free of
cost information to travelers. The tourist information office is run
by the Department of Tourism and Art and Culture of the sate
Government of Rajasthan. You can also buy picture cards and posters of
interesting places of Rajasthan from that office.
Taxi car and Jeep
Out side the fort you can find numerous Cars and Jeeps for the purpose
of tourist Taxi. Auto Rickshaw are also seen outside the Fort.
