New Delhi: Rajasthan is a state of forts. The place has innumerable indomitable citadels which stand as representations of the bygone era of Rajput supremacy in the Indian subcontinent. Every fort has a tale to tell and possesses its own distinctive characteristics. Among these many forts, there are some which have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO for their heritage and cultural value. These heritage forts together are known as the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. In this article, we will take a look at these forts.
The Hills Forts of Rajasthan: A group of majestic monuments
There are six forts under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan. In 2013, those forts were clustered as a series and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hill forts series has Kumbhalgarh Fort at Rajsamand, Chittor Fort at Chittorgarh, Gagron Fort at Jhalawar, Ranthambore Fort at Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer Fort at Jaisalmer and Amer Fort at Jaipur.
Kumbhalgarh
Also called the Great Wall of India, Kumbhalgarh is a fortress on the Aravalli Hills’ westerly range in the Rajsamand district. In the 15th century, Rana Kumbha built the fort. The fort’s wall is one of the longest continuous walls in the world and spans 38 kilometres. The great king and military leader Maharana Pratap of Mewar was born in this fort.
Chittor Fort
One of the largest forts in India, the Chittor Fort was Mewar’s capital and is located in the present-day city of Chittorgarh. It sprawls over a hill which is 590.6 ft in height and covers an area of 691.9 acres. The fort has 65 historic structures including four palaces, 19 large temples, 20 large water bodies, 4 memorials and a few victory towers.
Gagron Fort
It is a hill and water fort in the Jhalawar district. A Rajput king named Bijaldev Singh Dod built the fort in the 12th century. Later, the likes of Sher Shah and Akbar controlled the fort. The fort has water on three sides and a moat on the fourth side and hence earned the name Jaladurg.
Ranthambore Fort
It is located within the Ranthambore National Park, near the city of Sawai Madhopur. The formidable fort was constructed by numerous kings from several Rajput dynasties and even the Delhi Sultanate captured it for a brief time. One can get a breathtaking view of the surrounding Ranthambore National Park from the fort.
Jaisalmer Fort
This is Rajasthan’s second oldest fort. Rawal (ruler) Jaisal built the fort in 1156 AD and it has been named after him. The fort stands at the crossroads of important trade routes. It is one of the world’s very few “living forts” and many of the old city’s population still live within the fort. For the better part of its 860-year history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer.
Amer Fort
Located in Amer, this fort is on a high hill and is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur. The fort is famous for its artistic style elements. It has large ramparts, a series of gates and cobbled paths. The for is a bright example of Rajput architecture. Some of its buildings and works have been influenced by Mughal architecture
