Sightseeing in Jodhpur, India

Jaswant Thada

The 19th century royal cenotaph of Jaswant Thanda is located north of the Meherangarh Fort. The memorial is made of white marble and dedicated to Jaswant Singh II (1878-95), one of the most popular and wise rulers of the Jodhpur principality. He is credited to have purged Jodhpur of robbers and started many welfare schemes including an introduction of an efficient irrigation system. His initiatives resulted in the noticeable improvement in economy. The cenotaphs of other members of the royal family who have died since Jaswant are close by his memorial; those who preceded him are remembered by chhatris at Mandor. You can also photograph the Meherangarh fort from this place.

Mehrangarh Fort

One of the most formidable and impregnable forts in India, the majestic Mehrangarh Fort is located on a steep 125meter hill. Standing as a mute witness to the splendors of an era replete with chivalry, glory and grandeur, the fort contains within its area some of the most beautiful palaces with wonderfully carved panels, latticed windows and evocative names. Noteworthy of these are the Phool Mahal, the Moti Mahal, the Sheesh Mahal, the Daulat Khana and the Sileh Khana. You have to cross seven gates in order to enter the fort. Finely carved out of sandstone the fort bears the marks of many a siege.

Umaid Bhavan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace, another major landmark of Jodhpur dominates the southeast horizon of the city. Commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1929 as a famine relief scheme, the spectacular palace was built by three thousand workers and took sixteen years to complete. Characterized by a helmet-shaped dome, its pink sandstone walls and massive architecture remind the Rashtrapati Bhavan, official residence of the President of India, in New Delhi. It is pertinent to note that Henry Lanchester, Umaid Bhawan's chief architect, was an avid admirer of Sir Edwin Lutyens, designer of the Presidential Palace.

Completed in 1944, the palace boasted 347 rooms, among them a cinema, an indoor swimming pool, a soaring rotunda, beautifully decorated royal suites, a majestic durbar hall, fancy ball rooms, ballrooms, billiards room, banquet halls, libraries, servant quarters, staff quarters. Maharaja Gaj Singh is the present incumbent of the palace. One third of the palace has been occupied by him and the rest has been converted into a luxury hotel.