Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Mehrangarh Fort is the main sight in Jodhpur, a hilltop fort with seven gates, palaces and a museum. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm according to the Mehrangarh Museum Trust.

Mehrangarh stands on a rocky hill about 122 metres above the plain, with the old blue city spread out below it. Rao Jodha, the Rathore ruler who founded Jodhpur, began the fort around 1459, though most of what survives dates from the 17th century and was added by his successors. The approach passes through seven gates.

Jai Pol, the main entrance, was built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806 to mark his victories over the Jaipur and Bikaner armies, while Fattehpol commemorates Maharaja Ajit Singh's victory over the Mughals. Dents left by cannonballs fired by Jaipur's army can still be seen on the second gate. Inside, a series of palaces with carved stonework and large courtyards surrounds a museum that houses relics of the Marwar court, and the Chamunda Mataji Temple stands within the walls.

Rudyard Kipling described it as a palace that might have been built by Titans and coloured by the morning sun. The Mehrangarh Museum Trust runs the fort as a museum and lists it open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days. Allow several hours, wear comfortable shoes for the ramps and steps, and go early in the cooler months. Ticket prices below come from secondary sites only, so confirm them with the Trust before you visit.