About Junagarh Fort: History, Built By, Entry Fees, Timings & Hotel Stay
When we think of Rajasthan's formidable forts, hilltop fortresses like Chittorgarh, Mehrangarh, or Amer Fort usually come to mind. Standing right in the heart of Bikaner, however, Junagarh Fort defies this norm. Known locally as Junagarh Kila, it is one of the few prominent forts in Rajasthan built not atop a hill, but directly on the arid, flat plains of the Thar Desert.
Spanning over 5.28 hectares, this quadrangular stronghold represents a seamless fusion of medieval defensive engineering and Rajput-Mughal decorative art. If you are planning a visit to Bikaner, this guide covers everything from its history and architecture to entry fees, timings, and heritage hotel stays nearby.
Quick Facts: Junagarh Fort at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Bikaner City, Rajasthan (Thar Desert) |
| Original Name | Chintamani Durg |
| Foundation Ceremony | 17 February 1589 |
| Completion Date | 17 January 1594 |
| Built By | Raja Rai Singh (Supervised by PM Karan Chand) |
| Fort Type | Dhanva Durg (Plain ground fortress) |
| Total Area | 5.28 Hectares (63,119 sq yards) |
| Bastions & Gates | 37 Bastions (Burj) | 7 Gates |
| Opening Timings | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Daily) |
| Entry Tickets | ₹50 (Indians) | ₹300–₹400 (Foreign Tourists) |
About Junagarh Fort: From Jungladesh to Bikaner
To trace the roots of Junagarh Fort, one must understand the foundation of Bikaner itself. In the 15th century, this arid desert belt was known as "Jungladesh." In 1472, Rao Bika, the second son of Rao Jodha (the founder of Jodhpur), established his new kingdom here. In 1478, he built the city's original stone fort, remnants of which still stand near the historic Lakshmi Narayan temple.
As the state of Bikaner flourished over the next century, a more extensive and impenetrable defensive complex became necessary. Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, decided to build a grand fortress roughly 1.5 km away from the original citadel.
Initially named Chintamani Durg, the fort was renamed Junagarh (meaning "Old Fort") in the early 20th century when the royal family relocated their primary residence to the newly constructed Lalgarh Palace outside the old city boundaries.
History of Junagarh Fort & Who Built It
Junagarh Fort boasts a rich military and architectural legacy that spans several dynasties and centuries.
1. Raja Rai Singh and Prime Minister Karan Chand
Construction formally began on 17 February 1589 and finished on 17 January 1594. The fort was commissioned by Raja Rai Singh (who ruled from 1571 to 1611) and constructed under the direct supervision of his Prime Minister, Karan Chand.
Raja Rai Singh was an influential general in the courts of Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jahangir. His military campaigns across Gujarat and Burhanpur earned him vast territorial grants (jagirs). He channeled the substantial revenues and regional artistic influences acquired from these expeditions into the construction of Junagarh Fort.
2. An Unconquered Fortress
Despite numerous sieges by neighboring rulers and regional forces over the centuries, Junagarh was never permanently captured. The only exception in its entire history occurred in 1534, when Mughal Emperor Babur's second son, Kamran Mirza, launched a surprise raid against Rao Jait Singh and seized temporary control for just a single day before being repelled. In 1818, the Maharajas signed a paramountcy treaty with the British East India Company, permanently preserving the fort's autonomy.
Fort Architecture, Formidable Gates & Sati Handprints
Built primarily with local red sandstone (Dulmera stone) and accented with Italian Carrara marble, the fort walls rise up to 40 feet high and measure 14.5 feet wide. In ancient times, the structure was fortified with an encircling moat 20 to 25 feet deep to prevent direct assaults.
The complex is accessed through seven strategic gates:
- Suraj Pol (Sun Gate): Built from radiant yellow sandstone, this is the main eastern gate. It was positioned so the first rays of the morning sun would strike its facade—a symbol of good fortune. Flanked by two crimson stone elephant statues with mahouts, the gate doors are studded with heavy iron spikes to repel battering attacks by war elephants.
- Daulat Pol & The 41 Sati Handprints: Stepping past Suraj Pol brings you to Daulat Pol, home to one of the most poignant historical displays in the fort. On the gate wall are 41 vermilion-red handprints belonging to the royal consorts of Bikaner who committed sati (self-immolation) on the funeral pyres of their husbands who died on the battlefield.
- Tripolia Gate: A triple-arched gateway that grants entry to the royal administrative courts and inner palaces.
Palaces Inside Junagarh Fort
Unlike many royal residences where successors simply repurposed existing suites, successive Maharajas of Bikaner commissioned their own private quarters. This tradition produced a sprawling interior of 37 palaces, courtyards, and shrines:
- Karan Mahal (Diwan-i-Am): Built around 1680 by Raja Karan Singh to celebrate his victory over Emperor Aurangzeb's forces, this public audience hall features fluted pillars, stained-glass windows, and an ornate alcove throne.
- Anup Mahal: Constructed by Maharaja Anup Singh as the royal kingdom's administrative hub, it stands out for its wooden ceilings, Italian tiles, intricate mirror inlays, and lavish gold-leaf lacquer work known as Usta Art.
- Badal Mahal (The Cloud Palace): Designed to offer respite from the desert heat, the walls of this pavilion are adorned with deep blue clouds, rain motifs, and frescoes of Radha and Krishna celebrating monsoons.
- Chandra Mahal: The most opulent bedchamber in the palace. It features mirrors strategically positioned around the royal bed so the Maharaja could observe anyone approaching the entrance from an angle.
- Har Mandir: The private chapel of the royal family, used for personal prayers, weddings, and the annual Dussehra rituals where royal weapons and horses were blessed.
Junagarh Fort Museum & The WWI Biplane
In 1961, Maharaja Dr. Karni Singh established the Junagarh Fort Museum, currently administered by the Maharaja Rai Singhji Trust.
The museum's most prized artifact is a restored de Havilland DH.9 World War I biplane, presented by the British Empire to General Maharaja Ganga Singh in recognition of his service during the First World War. The museum also displays royal palanquins (palkis), silver elephant howdahs, medieval armor, firearms, and rare Persian and Sanskrit manuscripts.
Junagarh Fort Timings & Best Time to Visit
- Opening Hours: Open daily (Monday through Sunday) from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Duration: Plan to spend at least 2 to 3 hours to explore the inner palaces, courtyards, and museum galleries thoroughly.
- Best Season to Visit: The desert climate brings harsh summers with temperatures exceeding 45°C. The ideal window to visit is between October and March, when winter daytime temperatures remain mild and comfortable for sightseeing.
Junagarh Fort Tickets & Entry Fees
Entry passes cover both the central complex and the museum galleries:
| Visitor Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Indian Adults | ₹50 |
| Indian Students (with valid ID) | ₹30 |
| Foreign Tourists | ₹300 – ₹400 |
| Foreign Students | ₹150 |
| Still Camera Fee | ₹50 |
| Video Camera Fee | ₹100 |
| Audio Guide Rental | ₹150 – ₹250 (Multiple languages available) |
Tip: Certified guides and electronic audio devices are available near the ticket booth at Suraj Pol and offer valuable context on the fort's history.
Junagarh Fort Hotel & Heritage Stays Nearby
Travelers frequently ask whether accommodation is available inside the fort. To clarify: there is no hotel inside Junagarh Fort. The fortress is a preserved heritage site and trust museum; overnight stays are not permitted within its walls.
However, visitors looking for an authentic royal experience can book rooms at neighboring heritage properties just a few minutes away:
- The Laxmi Niwas Palace: The former residential palace of Maharaja Ganga Singh, now operating as a luxury heritage hotel with red sandstone courtyards and intricate stonework.
- The Lalgarh Palace: An Indo-Saracenic royal estate featuring sprawling gardens, heritage architecture, and vintage museum wings.
- Heritage Havelis in Old City: Restored boutique havelis around the Rampuria cluster provide a traditional Rajasthani neighborhood experience.
How to Reach Junagarh Fort
Junagarh Fort is centrally located in Bikaner. It sits roughly 1.5 to 2 km from Bikaner Junction Railway Station, making it accessible via auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, or local cabs in less than 10 minutes.
For travelers starting from Delhi, Gurgaon, or Noida, taking the highway offers the flexibility to explore the painted havelis of the Shekhawati region (Mandawa and Fatehpur) en route. Driving also simplifies day excursions to regional attractions outside Bikaner's city limits, such as the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke and the National Camel Research Centre. To travel comfortably and skip the fatigue of long highway driving, you can reserve a Delhi to Bikaner car rental with driver and tour the heritage circuit at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who built Junagarh Fort and when?
Junagarh Fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, with construction supervised by his Prime Minister Karan Chand between 1589 and 1594.
Q2. Why is Junagarh Fort unique compared to other forts in Rajasthan?
Unlike Amer, Jodhpur, or Chittorgarh, which were constructed on steep hills for natural elevation, Junagarh was engineered directly on flat desert terrain as a "Dhanva Durg," relying on wide walls, defensive moats, and reinforced bastions for defense.
Q3. What do the 41 red handprints at Daulat Pol represent?
The handprints are sati memorials commemorating the royal queens and princesses of Bikaner who sacrificed their lives on their husbands' funeral pyres.
Q4. Can you stay inside Junagarh Fort?
No. Junagarh Fort does not house any guest accommodations. However, nearby heritage properties like The Lalgarh Palace and The Laxmi Niwas Palace offer royal heritage stays.
Q5. How much time is needed to tour Junagarh Fort?
A standard tour covering the public courtyards, private royal suites (like Anup Mahal and Karan Mahal), and the museum takes between 2 and 3 hours.
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