KUCHAMAN FORT

The awe-inspiring Kuchaman Fort, was built in 760 A.D. by the Gujjar Pratihar dynasty. However it was modified and expanded by successive rulers. The Rathores, who ruled from 1724 A.D. till 1948, have left their stamp on the fort in the arched gateways, the numerous jaalis, the intricate Sheesh Mahal, the Sunehri Burj, the Zanana and the underground swimming pool. The fort was handed over to the Sri Anandmai Trust in 1948.

Perched 1,000 feet atop a sheer rock cliff and spread over 2,00,000 sq m, the lights of Kuchamon Fort gleam beckoningly like a sentinel at dawn. It is a sight to behold. If the view from below is awesome, the view from the top on a sun-drenched dawn is panoramic. In one sweep, it offers a view of the arid plains in the distance, the stunted Aravali ranges and the snail-like winding roads and gullies of the city that slowly stir to life. The pious start thronging some of the 108 temples and 13 mosques in the city. The ubiquitous camels, the billowing skirts and twisted turbans lend a warm, ethnic feel to the place.

With its 32 bastions, 10 arched gates, numerous underground hideouts and secret escape routes, the fort is huge architecturally and sound from inside - a fact proved by its centuries old history. It is difficult not to feel grand in this fort steeped in history, draped in grandeur and lovingly restored by Ranjit Singh Rathore, a descendant of the former Rathore rulers.

Now a heritage hotel
Part of the fort, that was formerly the stables, has now been converted into a heritage hotel with 51 air-conditioned rooms that cost Rs3,999/- per night. These rooms with blue bedspreads and cane moorahs, are intentionally not fitted with internet or fax connections, but are serviced by a team of extremely hospitable staff. A choice of Chinese, Rajasthani, Continental or Thai cuisine is available. It is an experience of 'splendid isolation'..

Visitors usually leave their cars at the Sabha Prakash or the reception down below. From there on, its a steep narrow, cobbled pathway that leads to the Meena Bazar, the China Pol and finally to thje Diwan-e-Khas, which was the meeting place of yore, but is now the dining hall. If trudging up the pathway is not your cup of tea, you can either take a horse or camel ride to the top or get into one of the sturdy jeeps available for the purpose.

Kuchaman City
A view by night of the city down below is enchanting. A quarter of an hour is sufficient to do a round of the city. Take-aways like Rajasthani borlas, haslis, toe rings in silver and customized lac bangles are a good idea.

Kuchaman Fort, situated about 150 km from Jaipur, is accessible by road. From Delhi, it is an overnight journey by the Mandore Express and then a 11 km journey through farmlands and the aged buildings of downtown Kuchaman.

Source:Swagath