Read More on Kishangarh Fort
History
Kishangarh state was founded in 1609 CE by Kishan Singh. Back then Kishangarh operated as a state and not a city. He was handed over the throne by Maharaja Samokhan Singh who was his distant relative. This fort holds importance in the history of India as it was the capital state during the British Raj. In 1649 Maharaja Roop Singh ascended the throne which was known as the Roopangarh Fort. The ancient Kishangarh fort Ajmer is situated on the banks of Gondalav Lake. It is a combination of both Rajput and Mughal architectural designs and has several beautifully built palaces. The courtyards are decorated with stunning fountains at various spots. The Phool Mahal which is also known as the flower palace is now a heritage hotel but it is a place worth visiting if you can.
The Bani-Thani paintings of Kishangarh have their value in the market and to keep this art form alive, Kishangarh came up with an art school named as Kishangarh School of painting. The school was founded by Maharaja Sawant Singh. This school is known for training students in creating artwork related to the lifestyle of the Rajput royals and the famous Bani Thani paintings.
Architecture
The Kishangarh Fort Rajasthan is more than 350 years old and even after being attacked several times, it stands tall in all its glory. The gigantic fort has nine turrets in total. This fort is a beautiful piece of Mughal and Rajput architecture designs. The fort may not seem so huge from the outside but once you start exploring you will conclude that it is rather large. The fort has prisons, arsenals, kitchens, shelters, and various other palaces and areas that played a major role back then.
The windows and doors placed inside the gate still exist and showcase the artisanship people back then had. Inside the fort, the largest structure is the Durbar Hall; this is the area where the Kings used to meet their ministers and discuss official matters. The King back then was very fond of performing arts thus the palace walls are filled to the brim with beautiful artwork. Miniature paintings based on the life of royals can be seen on the walls of the fort. The Bani Thani paintings came into fashion in the 18th century and have been in demand since then. This fort is like a museum of art in itself.
The Phool Mahal is a palace inside the fort premises, it displays the royalty held by the royals of the Rathore clan. This palace has been converted into a heritage hotel that provides the best view. The fort walls are decorated with king-size portraits. The large gardens and airy courtyards are evidence of the luxury people had access to during the golden days.
Activities
- The Fort doesn’t offer much in the name of activities but one can comfortably spend some quality time here to explore and study the fresco paintings, Bani Thani paintings, and the portraits of the kings.
- You can book your stay at the Phool Mahal and enjoy experiencing a day in the life of a royal.
- You can even plan a mini picnic with your family around the gardens of the fort.
- While exploring click pictures of the ancient paintings on the walls of the charming Kishangarh Fort.
Tips for visiting
- Try to plan your trip in the winter season so that you can freely explore the city.
- Wear comfortable shoes and apparel.
- Carry along packaged food and water bottles.
- Do not cause tamper with the paintings in the fort as they are very precious and hold value above numbers.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Fort is from October to March. The summers are harsh and may end up causing hurdles in your exploration plans.
Nearby Atractions
- Marble Slurry Dumpyard
- Phool Mahal Palace
- Khoda Ganeshji Temple
- Gondulav Lake
Nearby market/ shopping places
The Kishangarh city market is filled to the brim with a variety of marbles and is Asia’s biggest marble market. There is not much to shop for here but if you are planning on getting your home renovated then this market can be useful for you. The local market here is very small and you can get traditional Rajasthani items.
Nearby Hotels
- Royal Heritage
- Hotel KumKum
- Hotel Phool Mahal
- Hotel Bhanwar Singh Palace
Interesting Facts About Kishangarh Fort
- Back then Kishangarh operated as a state and not a city.
- The King back then was very fond of performing arts thus the palace walls are filled to the brim with beautiful artwork. Miniature paintings based on the life of royals can be seen on the walls of the fort.
- The Kishangarh Fort was attacked by several forces but no one was ever able to capture it.
- The Phool Mahal is a palace inside the fort premises, it displays the royalty held by the royals of the Rathore clan. This palace has been converted into a heritage hotel that provides the best view. The fort walls are decorated with king-size portraits.