Table of Contents
Taragarh Fort
Forts and old structures bring with them stories of rich historical pasts. The Taragarh Fort in Ajmer is indeed 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 are much appreciated. How the Taragarh Fort Ajmer is built reflects the thoughtful and calculative minds of the royals then. However, witnessing a fort like Bundi Taragarh Fort can be one of the most exciting experiences.
If you are visiting Rajasthan or Ajmer, the Ajmer Taragarh fort is a must-visit. This fort is one of the most planned forts, with amenities that reflect 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. Include this fort in your itinerary and read this article to collect all the information about it.
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 Ajmer in Rajasthan, the Taragarh Fort, or the Star Fort, is at an impressive height. Taragarh Fort Ajmer’s 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 a massive fort with breathtaking architecture that will make you look at it with awe. This is by far the oldest fort on a steep hill. It takes a short trek to reach this fort. The structure, the surroundings, and everything about this fort are 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, further alleviating the beauty of this location.
Additionally, the air feels light from such a great height. And the all-encompassing city view is undoubtedly a 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 when traveling at a steep height. Most importantly, you must also be careful of the monkeys here, 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. However, the major airport to reach the fort is Kota Airport. You can get private cabs or hire a car to reach the fort from there. RSRTC buses are also available on this route. Jaipur airport is located 22 km away from the Taragarh fort.
- By train
Ajmer Junction is the nearest railway station to the fort. You can get a train to Ajmer from most major cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Allahabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, etc. Kota is located near Bundi, so you can even take trains to Kota railway station.
- By road
The nearest bus stand is the Ajmer bus stand, and you can get buses from nearby cities here. Also, Jaipur is located at a distance of 170 km, Agra is at a distance of 310 km, and Delhi is at a distance of 390 km. Taragarh Fort is about 11 km from Ajmer Dargah, and you can reach it in around 30 minutes.
Best time to visit Taragarh Fort
This is a year-round destination, so you can visit it at any time. However, for pleasant weather, the ideal time to visit is during winter. From October to March, the weather is perfect. It would be convenient for you to explore the whole area well when the temperature is in check. The summers can be too hot, especially the peak summers. You can only visit here during those months. So plan your trip accordingly.
Taragarh Fort History
This fort has a long history as it is the oldest fort in Rajasthan. Constructed on top of a steep hill, this is an 8th-century fort. Initially, this fort was named Ajaymeru Durg, and Ajayraja Chauhan built this fort between the years 721 and 734. The history that is related to this is vibrant. From its formation, the fort has passed many hands and has a long, blood-filled history. 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 could have been more successful in these attempts though. After the death of Qutabuddin Aibak, the Rajput rulers, along with the 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. Lord Bentinck ordered dismantling this fort, and then the fort started serving as the sanatorium for the British troops.
Taragarh Fort Architecture
What makes this fort alluring is the architecture of this formation. It is undoubtedly an imposing structure that was built using a lot of thought. The creators mainly considered the people’s needs while constructing this fort. You can find three big entrances here: Phuta Door, Laxmi Pol and Gaugudi Gate. These are the main ways to enter the fort. The Gaugudi gate also has an impressive lock pattern. However, most of these entrances are in ruins today.
Another thing that is famous about this fort is the tunnels here. Moreover, these tunnels have a crisscross pattern that spreads on the 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. The notable and largest one is the Bhim Burj. In earlier days, a grand cannon was there, which used to make thunderous sounds that would shake the earth. Therefore, it was called the Bhim Burj, which also meant thunder from the womb.
Additionally, there was another bastion, the Chauhan Bastion. This one had big reservoirs here worth deep water. Furthermore, these reservoirs were so huge that they could hold water that lasted for days and months. A lot of planning, conceptualization and thought went into the making of most of the structures of this fort. The main idea was to sustain all the needs of the people living inside the fort during times of crisis. If they could not go out of the fort for days and months, it would be easy for everyone to sustain themselves within the fort itself.
You can also find a couple of palaces or mahals inside this fort. One of the notable ones here is the palace of the rulers’ wives, namely the Rani Mahal. At those times, this palace was splendid looking, though. However, with time, it has lost most of its charm. You can still see the stained glass window and 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 fort governor 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 serpentine stone used in it. Also, the architecture doesn’t reflect 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 reflect 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 to a lot of extent. However, one can still get a good insight into the lavish lifestyle of the kings who resided here. Every other corner of the fort reflects a mastery of planning, craftsmanship, and skilful 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 will help you plan a trip there.
