A Sakura Story: India - Mehrangarh Fort

India - Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India, was built in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha.

Rao Jodha (1438–1488), one of Ranmal's 24 sons became the fifteenth Rathore ruler. One year after his accession to the throne, Jodha decided to move his capital to the safer location of Jodhpur as the one thousand years old Mandore fort was no longer considered to provide sufficient security.

The foundation of the fort was laid on May 12, 1459 by Jodha on a rocky hill 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) to the south of Mandore. This hill was known as Bhaurcheeria, the mountain of birds. According to legend to build the fort he had to displace the hill's sole human occupant, a hermit called Cheeria Nathji, the lord of birds. Upset at being forced to move Cheeria Nathji cursed Rao Jodha with "Jodha! May your citadel ever suffer a scarcity of water!". Rao Jodha managed to appease the hermit by building a house and a temple in the fort very near the cave the hermit had used for meditation, though only to the extent that even today the area is plagued by a drought every 3 to 4 years. Jodha then took an extreme measure to ensure that the new site proved propitious; he buried a man called Rajiya Bhambi (a Meghwal) alive in the foundations. Rajiya was promised that in return his family would be looked after by the Rathores. To this day his descendants still live in Raj Bagh, Rajiya's Garden, an estate bequeathed them by Jodha.

Phool Mahal - Flower Palace

Moti Mahal - Pearl Palace

Entry into Singhar Chowk (courtyard)

An elephant palanquin

Inside Flower Palace

Within the fort there are several brilliantly crafted and decorated palaces. Of these I found, Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace) the most impressive.