Bikaner Monuments
Junagarh fort
- Built in : 1571 to 1612 AD
- Built by : Raja Rai Singhji
- Location : Bikaner
This fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled form 1571 to 1612 AD. It has a 96 mt long wall, with 37 bastions and 2 entrances. The main entrance of the fort is through the Suraj Pol or Sun Gate.
The fort encompasses many palaces amongst which the most spectacular ones are the Chandra Mahal or Moon palace, the Phool Mahal or Flower palace, and both ornated with carved panels and mirrors and the Karan Mahal. Karan Mahal was built in remembrance of the celebration of the grand victory over Aurangzeb. Durga Niwas, a fabulously painted courtyard and Ganga Niwas, which housed a finely carved red sandstone front, are the other places of attraction in this fort.
Raja Rai Singh could Marshal the revenues of a Kingdom increased by the conquest of half Marwar and grant of half Gujrat and made use of ample funds from Jodhpur and Western Deccan for the construction of this fort. A contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar and Emperor Jehangir, he held a very high rank in the Imperial court. As a reward for these services as military commander, he was granted fields of Gujrat and Burhanpur by the Emperor. During his tenure in imperial service he traveled far and wide which gave him vision and great ideas about art and architecture and we can see how meticulously these ideas were incorporated in the architectural styles of his building in Junagarh fort.
Lalgarh Palace
- Built in : 1902-1926
- Built by : Maharajah Ganga Singh
- Location : Bikaner
Designed by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh, this palace displays a magnificent blend of Oriental and European style. The terraced lawns and the Bougainvillea bushes add beauty to the palace. The intricate latticework exhibits the refinements and delicacy of craftsmanship. The palace museum displays well preserved hunting trophies and old photographs. It’s a grand building with overhanging balconies and delicate latticework. Its terraced lawns and the Bougainvillea bushes add beauty to the palace. Peacocks stroll around the palace, which has been partly converted, into a hotel. The palace museum, Shri Sadul Museum covers the entire first floor of the palace. It has an assortment of exhibits, including personal possessions of former Bikaner rulers, old photos depicting royal hunts, and an extraordinary collection of the former maharaja’s personal possessions – golf tees, camera, clothes, books, earplugs and even his electric toothbrush. The library of the palace is supposed to have the largest collection of original Sanskrit manuscripts on parchments, copper and gold or silver plaques. The palace museum also displays well-preserved hunting trophies and old photographs. The museum is open daily except Wednesdays from 10 am to 5 p.m.