Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

In 1459, Rao Jodha laid the foundation of what was destined to become one of the mightiest forts of all time; Mehrangarh, Citadel of the Sun.

'Today the beautiful palaces and dazzling Period Rooms of the Fort have been converted into a unique museum that houses an impressive collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, cradles, miniature paintings, weapons, turbans.....the magnificent heritage of the Rathores of Marwar-Jodhpur. 

Born of the Sun

The Rathore kings of Marwar are Suryavanshi Rajputs who claim descent from the Sun god Surya. Rajputs consider themselves descendants of ancient Hindu warrior castes known as Kshatriyas whose sacred duty was to defend territories and offer protection to Brahmins. An 18th century genealogy of the Rathores called the Suraj Prakash (the light of the Sun) traces the dynasty's genealogy back to Rama, an avatar of the god Vishnu. Through such associations with the divine, Rathore kings sought to reinforce the legitimacy of their rule. According to dynastic geneaologies, the Rathores' ancestors came to Marwar from Kannauj, a kingdom in the Gangetic plains. In the 12th century Jayachand, the ruler of Kannauj, was defeated by Afghan armies led by Muhammed Ghori. As a result many of Jayachand's youngscions left their ancestral territories in search of new lands. The Rathores are considered to have descended from Kannauj rulers who travelled west and established themselves first in the town of Pali in Marwar

Loha Pol is the final gate into the main part of the fort complex. Immediately to the left of this gate are the handprints (sati marks) of the ranis who in 1843 immolated themselves on the funeral pyre of their husband, Maharaja Man Singh