Hill Forts of Rajasthan as World Heritage Site

Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai, Madhopur, Jhalawar, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer are 

among the six splendid forts that make up the series site in Rajasthan. The forts’ eclectic construction, some measuring up to 20 kilometres in a circle, attests to the power of the Rajput princely states that ruled the region from the eighth to the eighteenth century. Hillforts of Rajasthan significance Major urban centres, palaces, trading centres, and other buildings, including temples, are enclosed inside defensive walls, which typically precede the fortifications and grew a rich courtly culture that encouraged learning, music, and the arts. Many of the site’s temples and other religious buildings and some of the urban centres encircled by the defences have survived.

More About these forts

Within the State of Rajasthan, six extensive and majestic hill forts reflect the elaborate, fortified seats of power of Rajput princely states that flourished between the 8th and 18th centuries and their relative political independence.

The extensive fortifications up to 20 kilometres in circumference optimised various hill terrain, specifically the river at Gagron, the dense forests at Ranthambore, and the desert at Jaisalmer, and exhibit an important phase in the development of an architectural typology based on established “traditional Indian principles”. The vocabulary of architectural forms and ornaments shares much common ground with other regional styles, such as Sultanate and Mughal architecture. Hillforts of Rajasthan people also search for a Rajput style that is not ‘unique’. Still, the particular manner in which Rajput architecture was eclectic (drawing inspiration from antecedents and neighbours) and its degree of influence over later regional styles (such as Maratha architecture) make it distinctive.

Let’s look at all the six forts and Hill forts of Rajasthan Significance:

• Chittorgarh Fort

Chittorgarh was the former capital of the Sisodia Dynasty of Mewar. Chittorgarh is situated on the banks of rivers Berach and Gambhir. Initially, it was ruled by Guhilot and later by Sisodias (the Suryavanshi clans of Chattari Rajputs) from the 7th century. Emperor Akbar won it in 1567 but finally abandoned it in 1568. It is scattered at a hill of 180 metres in height, spread over 280 mt2.

• Kumbhalgarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh is located in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Its construction took place with the help of Rana Kumbha between AD 1443 and 1458 under the supervision of famous architect Mandan. The fort was constructed on an older castle associated with Samprati, a Jaina prince of the second century BC. Rana Fateh Singh (1885-1930 AD) constructed the Badal Mahal inside the fort, one of the greatest builders. Some prominent buildings inside this fort are Kumbha Palace, Brahmanical Badal Mahal, Jain Temples, water reservoirs, chhatris, etc. The great Maharana Pratap was born in this fort.

• Sawai Madhopur Fort

Sawai Madho Singh (the ruler of Jaipur state) requested the Mughal emperor to hand over the Ranthambhore fort to check the growing influence of the Marathas in the region. Sawai Madho Singh organised the nearby village of Sherpur and renamed it Sawai Madhopur in 1763. This town is commonly known as the “Sawai Madhopur City”, located in a narrow valley between two parallel hills at the edge of the Ranthambhore National Park.

• Jhalawar Fort

The Jhalawar Fort, also known as the Garh Palace, is situated in the centre of the town. Maharaj Rana Madan Singh built the fort in 1845 AD. The Zenana Khas, or the Women’s Palace, has paintings on both walls and mirrors. These paintings are excellent examples of the Hadoti School of Art. Currently, Jhalawar Fort is used as a collectorate and other offices.

• Amer Fort

Amber Fort is located in Amer in the Jaipur district of  Rajasthan. It is located high on a hill. Amber Fort was built by Raja Man Singh I in 1592. This fort is very famous for its artistic style. Man Singh was one of the first war chiefs or the trusted general of Emperor Akbar. Akbar included him among the ‘Navaratnas’.

• Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest fortifications in the world. It is situated in the city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. It is a World Heritage Site. It was constructed by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal in 1156. Jaisalmer is an excellent example of a hill fort in a desert location.

Conclusion

There is a need for short-term conservation actions to reverse the vulnerabilities of certain individual structures within the forts. For Jaisalmer, there is a need to ensure the major conservation project for infrastructure and conservation of individual buildings is delivered according to the agreed timescale. Conservation of the extremely extensive fortifications and ensembles of palaces, temples, and other buildings will call for extensive skills and resources. As part of an approach to livelihood generation, a capacity-building strategy to raise awareness of the importance and value of these skills could be considered.

To ensure a clear understanding of how each of the forts contributes to the series, there is a need for improved interpretation as part of an interpretation strategy for the overall series.