Tour Jodhpur Fort

Covered palanquins were a popular means of travel for royal & noble ladies in purdah (seclusion) up to the 2nd quarter of the 20th Century. The open ones were used by the royal & noble men on special occasions.

This unusual palanquin came to Jodhpur as war booty when Maharaja Abhaya Singh (the one who murdered his father to be king), defeated the Mughal Governor of Gujarat in 1730. It’s a stunning blend of Gujarati and Mughal traditions. The carved woodwork decorated with gold leaf is distinctly Gujarati, while the dome-shaped canopy, & the iron latticework decorated with floral motifs, is inspired by 18th century Mughal architecture. The main structure contains an ample bed, enclosed in rectangular panes of glass divided by scalloped arches. Some of the glass panes are original. It took 12 men to carry it & was used only by the Maharaja for special festivals & to meet and greet kings.

which are said to feature over 250 different designs. This rare & unique collection of beautiful cradles, includes a motorized one made in 1948 for the current Maharaja of Jodhpur

the glorious blue ceiling

This gallery is housed in the zenana (women's apartments) area in the former Jhanki Mahal, which is aka the Palace of Glimpses & the Peeping Palace. That's because the women of the royal household could peep through the stone jali (latticed) screens from here & watch the activities in the two courtyards bleow. (Purdah was strictly enforced by the Rajputs in medieval times, so the women’s quarters were fitted with latticed screens to allow the royal women to peek outside without being seen themselves.)

Rajputs, being a warrior tribe, loved their weapons & took great care of them. This gallery displays a rare & impressive collection of armor & weapons from every period in the history of Marwar Jodhpur.

On display are swords & daggers with hilts of jade, silver, rhinoceros horn, & ivory; shields studded with rubies, emeralds & pearls; guns decorated with gold & silver; & other rare & unusual instruments of war. The gallery also has personal swords of many of the Maharajas & Emperors

Jodhpur was on the important Delhi to Gujarat 'silk route' & the city was built on the profits of opium, & dates & copper.

bamboo screen

An ornate winding staircase

A door with intricate carvings

portal