Nomad Saikat
Forts and old structures bring in with itself stories of rich historical past. The Taragarh Fort in Ajmer is surely one name for this. This beautiful Taragarh Fort Bundi is one of the oldest forts in Rajasthan. However, despite being the oldest, the architecture and planning of this fort is much appreciated. The way the Taragarh Fort Ajmer is built reflects the thoughtful and calculative minds of the royals back then. However it can be one of the most interesting experiences to witness a fort like Bundi Taragarh Fort.
If you are visiting Rajasthan or Ajmer then the Ajmer Taragarh fort is a must visit for you. You will find this fort as one of the most planned forts with amenities that reflects the life of the kings back then. Additionally places like this are always a must visit to encounter the opulent lifestyle of the royal families as well. Include this fort in your itinerary and read this article to collect all the information about this fort.
Taragarh Fort
Location of Taragarh Fort: Taragarh Fort, Taragarh Road, Bundi, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Timings of Taragarh Fort: 8 am to 5:30 pm on all days
Entry fee of Taragarh Fort: No entry fee
Overview of Taragarh Fort
Located in the city of Ajmer in Rajasthan the Taragarh Fort or the Star Fort is situated at an impressive height. Taragarh Fort Ajmer height is 1300 metres and it looks almost like a picture. Rao Singh Bar built this fort during the 13th century reign of King Ajaypal Chauhan. This one is basically a massive fort with breathtaking architecture that will make you look at it with awe. This is by far the oldest fort and located on a steep hill. It takes a short trek to actually reach this fort. And the structure, the surroundings, in fact everything about this fort is impressive.
From the top of the hill you will be able to witness a gorgeous view of the whole city which is equally impressive. Moreover the whole area is further covered in lush vegetation. A variety of flora and fauna nestles around the fort as well further alleviating the beauty of this location.
Additionally the air feels light from such a great height. And the all encompassing city view is surely an added bonus here. Make sure you are carrying an ample amount of water along with you so that you can stay hydrated. Also a good pair of shoes is a must to travel through the steep height. Most importantly you must be careful of the monkeys here as well who can be quite naughty.
How to reach Taragarh Fort
By air
The Kishangarh Airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 30 km. Major airport to reach the fort is however Kota Airport. From there you can get private cabs or even hire a car to reach the fort. RSRTC buses are also available on this route so you can even opt for that as well. Jaipur airport is located 22 km away from the Taragarh fort.
By train
Ajmer Junction is the nearest railway station to reach the fort. You can get a train to Ajmer from most of the major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Allahabad, Jaipur, Kolkata etc. Kota is located near Bundi so you can even take trains till Kota railway station.
By road
The nearest bus stand is the Ajmer bus stand and you can get buses from nearby cities to reach here. Also Jaipur is located at a distance of 170 km, Agra at a distance of 310 km and Delhi at a distance of 390 km. Taragarh fort distance from Ajmer Dargah is about 11 km and you can reach there in around 30 minutes.
Best time to visit Taragarh Fort
This is basically a year round destination so you can surely visit it any time of the year. However, for pleasant visit weather wise the ideal time to visit here is during winter. During the months of October to March the weather here is ideal to visit. It would be convenient for you to explore the whole area well when the temperature is in check. The summers can be a little too hot, especially the peak summers. You can avoid visiting here during those months. So plan your trip accordingly.
Taragarh Fort History
This fort has a long history that is attached to it as it is the oldest fort in Rajasthan. Constructed on top of a steep hill, this is an 8th century fort. Originally the name of this fort was Ajaymeru Durg and Ajayraja Chahuan built this fort in between years of 721- 734. The history that is related to this is very rich. From the time of its formation the fort has passed many hands and has a long blood filled history as well. It was ruled by the Marwari rulers before and later the power shifted to the Mughal rule.
During Mughal rule the fort was an important power centre. Muhammad of Ghazni was the first one to make an attack on this fort in 1024 AD. However he was not successful in these attempts though. After the death of Qutabuddin Aibak, the Rajput rulers along with successors of Sahabuddin and Chauhan made a joint attack on this fort. Furthermore, during the 15th century Prithviraj, the elder brother of Rana Sanga and son of Rana Raimal captured the fort. The fort also got its name after the wife of Prithviraj, Tarabai. Later during British rule they got access to the fort from the Rajputs. During the time of Lord Bentinck he ordered for the dismantling of this fort and then the fort started serving as their sanatorium for the British troops.
Taragarh Fort Architecture
What makes this fort alluring is the architecture of this formation. It is undoubtedly a very impressive structure that was built using a lot of thought. Mostly the creators had taken into account the needs of the people while constructing this fort. You can find three big entrances here namely Phuta Door, Laxmi Pol and Gaugudi Gate. These are the main ways to enter the fort. The Gaugudi gate also has a really impressive pattern of locks. However, most of these entrances are in ruins today. Another thing that is famous about this fort are the tunnels here. Moreover these tunnels have a definite criss cross pattern that spreads on the whole hillside. But presently these tunnels are not fit for access as the maps to enter or exit these tunnels are no longer available.
You can also find a variety of bastions here. Among these the notable and the largest one is the Bhim Burj. During earlier days a grand cannon was there which used to make thunderous sounds which would shake the earth. Therefore that was called the Bhim Burj that also meant thunder from the womb.
Additionally there was another bastion as well and its name was Chauhan bastion. This one had big reservoirs here worth deep water. Furthermore these reservoirs were so huge that they could hold water that could last for days and months. A lot of planning, conceptualization and thought went into the making of most of the structures of this fort. Basically the main idea was to sustain all the needs of the people living inside the fort during the times of crisis. If they were unable to go out of the fort for days and months it would not be hard for anyone to sustain themselves within the fort itself.
What’s more?
You can also find a couple of palaces or mahals inside this fort as well. One of the notable ones here is the palace of the wives of the rulers namely the Rani Mahal. At those times this palace was splendid looking though. However with time it has obviously lost most of its charm. You can still see the stained glass window along with the murals and paintings here which have lost their shine by now. A dargah is also there inside the fort. The name of this dargah is Miran Saheb ki Dargah. He was the governor of the fort who died during one of the sieges in 1210.
Unlike most of the other forts this fort is not similar. It is green in colour because of the usage of serpentine stone. Also the architecture doesn’t reflect the Mughal architecture which is another unique point about this fort.
Nearby places to visit from Taragarh Fort
- Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
- Ajmer Sharif Dargah
- Durga Bag Garden
- Ana Sagar Lake
- Akbar’s Palace
- Foy Sagar Lake
- Sambhar Lake
- Prithvi Raj Smarak
Wrapping Up!
Forts and ancient structures like this are living examples of the past. The thought processes to the intricate planning of these structures are a reflection of the days gone back. And talking about the Taragarh Fort, the massive fort has passed the test of time already. However the charms of the old days have faded at present to a lot of extent. But still one can really get a good insight about the lavish and extravagant lifestyle of the kings who resided here. Every other corner of the fort reflects a mastery of planning and craftsmanship along with skillful execution. The Taragarh Fort-Ajmer is a must visit for anyone visiting Ajmer. Let me know if you have ever visited Ajmer. And let me know if this article on the Taragarh Fort Bundi is helpful for you in planning a trip there.
