Break_Even

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Past the gates, the fort-palace takes one's breath away. Across from huge courtyards are the set wings of palatial apartments that have been built over five centuries of bristling history. Today, managed as a museum by the royal trust, only some of the more spectacular palaces of Meharangarh are open to the visitors. These consists of Moti Mahal (Palace of Pearls) with its pierced screen windows overlooking the coronation seat where the Rathore ruler have been ritually anointed to rule; Jhanki Mahal (Palace of Glimpses), from where the royal ladies watched the official proceedings in the courtyard; the royal Darbar Takhat or throne room with its octagonal throne; and the Rang Mahal (Palace of Colors) where the maharaja would play Holi with his wives. Also noteworthy are Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Umaid Vilas and Maan Vilas.

The various buildings inside the fort now serve as museums which hosts a well preserved collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the fort's ramparts.

Mehrangarh Fort was built in the 15th century by Rao Jodha when he shifted his capital from nearby Mandore to Jodhpur. The foundation of this fort was laid on 12th May, 1459 by Jodha himself on a rocky hill six miles 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. Jodha then took an extreme measure to ensure that the new site proved propitious; he buried a man alive in the foundations. The man was Rajiya Bambi (Meghwal) and he was promised that in return his family would forever more be looked after by the Rathores. It was a promise that has been honored and Rajiya's descendants continue to live in Raj Bagh, Rajiya's Garden, the estate bequeathed by Jodha.

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