Mehrangarh Fort

Meherangarh Fort Jodhpur

About Mehrangarh Fort

Located atop 150 m high hill, the impressive Mehrangarh Fort overshadows the other attraction of Jodhpur. The name Mehrangarh itself means 'majestic fort' and as such tourists visiting this fort are mighty delighted with its grandeur. The fort was initially built in the year 1459 by the founder of the city, Rao Jodha after he shifted his capital here from Mandore. However, much of what stands today date back to the 17th century, a time when Jaswant Singh held the reins of Jodhpur.

As with many other forts and palaces of Rajasthan, Mehrangarh too, encloses within its heart a legend that took birth during its construction. It is believed that to build a fort, a sage had to be forced out from the hill. Enraged, this sage cursed that the construction of the fort will see severe problems relating to water availability. To ward off the ramifications of this curse, a man offered to bury himself alive in the foundation of the fort.

Today, this story has little credibility amongst tourists, though what is quiet obvious is that Mehrangarh Fort reminds them of the royal past of the Rajput. It is a legacy of the courageous denizens who once inhabited the fort.