8 Historical Forts in Rajasthan: Travel Back in Time to the Glorious Past

Rajasthan is famous for its historical forts that glorify the past of the rulers here. These forts in Rajasthan exude a majestic aura and their magnificent appearance stuns everyone, but as you move closer, you are acquainted with its battle scars and the turbulent history it has witnessed over the decades. These forts have a strong character that is evident from their craftsmanship and history, and that’s what makes them a must-visit destination. So, let’s look at the forts in this historical state to go back in time.

Best Forts in Rajasthan: Delve Deep into the History of Rajasthan

It’s time to explore Rajasthan from the lens of the past and to immerse yourself in the complex history of this place. After all, visiting this state is incomplete without venturing into the historical forts here. Each of these forts has a unique and intriguing story to tell that would keep you on your toes the whole time. Be ready for a few gasps and wow factors as you listen to the stories hidden behind those gorgeous appearances.

Here’s the list of forts in Rajasthan

1. Amer Fort
2. Mehrangarh Fort
3. Bala Quila
4. Jaisalmer Fort
5. Chittorgarh Fort
6. Nahargarh Fort
7. Taragarh Fort
8. Kumbhalgarh Fort

1. Amer Fort: A Rajasthani Experience Like No Other

Amer Fort is the first on our list because of the incredible architecture and craftsmanship it showcases. This fort, built by Raja Man Singh is one of the most famous forts in Rajasthan. It’s located in Jaipur and offers a wholesome Rajasthani vibe from the folk music to the fort’s appearance. The architecture of this fort is a blend of Rajput, Hindu, and Mughal styles and the wooden carvings, marble work, etc., enhance its beauty. The Maita Lake in the fort is one of the major attractions and was also the source of water for the entire fort. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is among the famous places to travel in India that you must-visit on your trip to Jaipur.

Opening hours: 8 A.M to 6 P.M | 7 P.M to 9 P.M - Light and Sound Show

Attractions in Amer Fort: Diwan-e-Khas, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Mandir, Bhool Bhulaiya

Hidden gems in Amer Fort:

• Visit the Char Garden for a view of the city
• Watch the dance performance at Sukh Mahal
• Take an elephant ride to the fort

2. Mehrangarh Fort: The Fort of the Sun

Mehrangarh Fort means the Citadel of the Sun because of the Jodhpur clan’s descent from the Sun God. This fort is built at a strategic location in the Blue City of Jodhpur, on a hilltop at an altitude of 122 m. The pride of this fort is that it has never been sieged by invaders. You will, however, see the imprints of cannonball attacks on the fort that tell its tale of bravery. Built in 1460 by Rao Jodha, this fort has become one of the attractions in Jodhpur that people from all over the world visit. A few movies, like Awarapan and The Dark Knight Rises have also been filmed here. The grandeur of this fort is reason enough to explore this place and to get acquainted with its history.

Opening hours: 9 A.M to 5 P.M

Attractions in Mehrangarh Fort: Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Jhanki Mahal, Chamunda Mata Temple

Hidden gems in Mehrangarh Fort:

• Enjoy a candlelight dinner at the Chokelao Mehran Terrace
• Shop for souvenirs at Mehrangarh Fort Museum
• Witness the cannonball marks at Dodh Kangra Pol

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3. Bala Quila: A 16th Century Marvel

Bala Quila, also popularly known as Alwar Fort, was built on a 10th century mud fort foundation. It has seen a change in owners as it was passed on to multiple rulers, such as Jats, Maratha, Mughals and Kachwaha Rajputs. The unique feature of this fort is that it has 6 six gates; however, it’s only accessible via Jaipol gate through the Pratap Bandh Forest entry. The Salim Mahal in this fort is famous for being a temporary residence of Prince Salim before he was caught by King Akbar. The walls of this fort hold several stories within it that are waiting to be uncovered by you.

Opening hours: 10 A.M to 4:30 P.M

Attractions near Bala Quila: Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri, Alwar City Palace, Karni Mata Temple

Hidden gems in Bala Quila:

• You can spot peacocks along the way
• There are 6 gates to the fort
• There are 446 openings for musketry

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4. Jaisalmer Fort: Venture into the Golden Fort

The reason Jaisalmer Fort is famous as the Sonar Fort or Golden Fort is because it reflects the hues of the desert city. This is one of the largest and most beautiful forts in Rajasthan and is visible from every part of the city. It’s located on top of the Trikuta hill at an altitude of 76 m from the city and was constructed in 1156 AD by King Rawal Jaisal. You’ll find several attractions inside this fort from markets to restaurants and much more. If you visit this fort during the evening, then you’ll get to see it illuminated by lights, sparkling in the night. It’s truly a sight to behold.

Opening hours: 9 A.M to 6 P.M

Attractions in Jaisalmer Fort: Royal Palace, Shree Nath Palace, Vyas Haveli

Hidden gems in Jaisalmer Fort:

• The museums store the royal family’s legacy
• Climb to the top of the fort for a panoramic view of the desert
• There are four entrances to the fort

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5. Chittorgarh Fort: Learn About this Fort’s Turbulent History

Chittorgarh Fort is one of the historical forts in Rajasthan, which has the most terrifying past. Located on a 180 m high hill, this fort has witnessed three attacks and rulers, namely Allauddin Khilji, Bahadur Shah and Maharana Udai Singh. This fort has also seen the Jauhar of Rani Padmini along with several other royal women. Chittorgarh Fort is famously known as Chittor Fort or Water Fort because there are 22 water bodies inside the fort, including the sacred Gaumukh Reservoir. Visiting this fort is one of the things to do in Chittorgarh that you can’t miss out on.

Opening hours: 9:45 A.M to 5:15 P.M

Attractions in Chittorgarh Fort: Padmini Palace, Meera Temple, Vijay Stambha, Rana Kumbha Palace

Hidden gems in Chittorgarh Fort:

• There are seven gates of the fort
• Jauhar Mela is held every year between February to March
• Meera Bai also lived in this fort

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6. Nahargarh Fort: Summer Retreat of the Royal Family

Nahargarh Fort is one of the Jaipur tourist places that doesn’t have a tormenting history. It was built as a summer retreat for the royal family and has never been attacked. The primary purpose of this fort was to strengthen the royal family’s military. This leisure place was used by the royal family for hunting animals and for some quality family time. In fact, the field guns weren’t used during an attack but were fired to tell the time. It was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and is one of the popular tourist spots in Pink City. Some scenes from popular Bollywood movies like Rang de Basanti and Jodha Akbar have been filmed here.

Opening hours: 10 A.M to 5:30 P.M

Attractions near Nahargarh Fort: Jaipur Wax Museum, Sheesh Mahal, Sculpture Park

Hidden gems in Nahargarh Fort:

• Madhavendra Bhawan includes 12 identical suites for the royal women
• Visit the Royal Gaitor Tombs for tombs of prominent rulers
• Cycling and trekking here offers splendid views

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7. Taragarh Fort: Explore the Hidden Tunnels

Taragarh Fort or Bundi Fort was the center of military activity during the Mughal era, but what makes it unique are the tunnels passing underneath the fort. It’s quite an intriguing feature of the fort and had historical significance. The glory of this fort when it was built in 1354 AD is no longer evident because of the actions of time. It was destroyed by the Britishers under Lord William Bentinck’s orders and later became a sanatorium for the British army. However, as you learn more about this place, the more you’ll feel its magnificence returning. This is among the best places to travel in Ajmer as it’s considered to be the first hill fort in Asia.

Opening hours: 9:30 A.M to 6:30 P.M

Attractions in Taragarh Fort: Rani Mahal, Bhim Bhurj, Garbha Gunjan

Hidden gems in Taragarh Fort:

• Pay respects at the shrine of saint Miran Sahib
• There are three water tanks here that never run dry
• There are 3 gates to enter the fort

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8. Kumbhalgarh Fort: Witness the Marvel of this Fort

When it comes to this fort, it’s one of the places to visit in Rajasthan because of its grandeur and magnificence. This fort is named after Maharana Kumbha and was the birthplace of Maharana Pratap Singh. However, what sets it apart from the other forts in Rajasthan is the long continuous wall, which is the second largest in the world, after the Great Wall of China. If you’re looking for forts to stay in Rajasthan, then you can consider this as one of the options. The rich history of this place would keep you fascinated the entire time. There’s even a tale associated with the construction of this fort as a saint sacrificed himself and that’s where this fort was built. You should also visit the Hanuman Pol at the entrance of the fort to pay tribute to the saint.

Opening hours: 9 A.M to 6 P.M

Attractions in Kumbhalgarh Fort: Baoris, Badal Mahal, Lord Shiva Temple

Hidden gems in Kumbhalgarh Fort:

• Watch the light and sound show
• Climb to the top of the fort for scenic views
• There’s a huge shivalinga in the Shiva Temple

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Exploring the forts in Rajasthan is nothing less than a royal experience because the turbulent history along with the glorious tales of the brave hearts ignite your pride in India’s rich history. Each fort has a story to tell, one of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience that would inspire you. It also gives insight to India’s past and the shift in power from time to time that impacted these monuments the most. Therefore, these forts are popular tourist attractions and people from all over the world visit them to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of this state. You do the same and book our Rajasthan tour packages right away.

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