Taragarh Fort, Bundi

Taragarh Fort of Rajasthan is undeniably a renowned fort which stands out for its own identity in Bundi, Rajasthan. Taragarh Fort was the only place to an important generous state when it comes to the Rajput charm and grandeur. Taragarh Fort is a huge fort built in 1354 during the peak of Rajput rulers. It was made the capital of main princely states. This unique fort is accessible by a sharp road connecting up the hillside towards its entrance, which is decorated with wild elephants. The fort consists of huge pools etched out of hard rock and its Bhim Burj, which is the leading of the walls, on which is built up a renowned cannon. An outstanding birdeye of the city from this historical fort is one more attraction among explorers.

Taragarh Fort or 'Star Fort' is the most impressive of structures of city of Bundi in Indian state of Rajasthan. A rather ramshackle fort, with its overgrown vegetation, It was constructed in 1354 upon a steep hillside. There are three gateways to the fort, well known as Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza and Gagudi ki Phatak. Most parts of these impressive gateways are now in ruins. During its heyday, Taragarh Fort was renowned for its tunnels crisscrossing the entire hillside. However, these tunnels are now inaccessible for want of proper maps. The largest of its battlements is the 16th century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a particularly large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or 'Thunder from the Womb'.

History
Taragarh Fort, being a trendsetter for the rest of the forts to come, was the first fort to be built on top of a hill. The Taragarh Fort is the oldest fort in Rajasthan, and it has a long bloody history. It has been passed from the hands of the Marwari rulers into the hands of the Mughals. But after the death of QutubuddinAibak, successor of Sultan Sahabuddin, Chauhan and Rajput rulers attacked the fort in a combined effort. When the British came, they acquired the fort from the Rajputs . The fort is the oldest and has seen its fair share of wars.

Architecture
The Taragarh Fort is an impressive structure made to suit the needs of the people inside when under siege. Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Door and Gaugudi Gate are the three doorways which serve as entrances to the Taragarh Fort. The Gaugudi Gate has a massive and interesting lock and the gate can only be crossed by an entrance way. The once impressive gateways are, for the most part, in ruins. During its glorified days, Taragarh Fort was well known for its tunnels which run in a criss cross pattern along the entire hillside. However, these tunnels remain inaccessible because there are no proper maps available. There are several bastions around the fort out of which Bhim Burj is the largest. It is said that there was a massive canon placed here which when fired produced a sound that was akin to thunder that came from the earth. Therefore, it was called the Bhim Burj, which means “Thunder from the Womb’. Such was the power of the canon that it was able to shake the earth.

Another bastion, called the Chauhan bastion has some deep-water reservoirs. These reservoirs are huge enough to store big amounts of water so that it can be supplied to the residents during time of crisis like a siege which could go on for days and months. There are a couple of mahals (palaces) inside the fort complex and a probable baradar. The complex also has a palace called the Rani Mahal and is built for the wives and concubines of rulers. The Mahal has lost much of its charm as the shine of its spectacular murals on its walls and the paintings on the stained-glass windows have completely lost its shine and colour. The fort also has Miran Saheb ki Dargah. He was the governor of the fort and died during a siege, in 1210.Taragarh or Dudha Mahal which is situated inside the fort has beautiful frescoed walls. It, like most of the Fort has lost its shine and colour.

The trek is a steep slope and requires walking. Be sure you come with a good pair of shoes or boots and plenty of water. The Map is important to navigate the ground of the fort. There are monkeys and other wild flora and fauna that are present. The top of the hill provides you with a view of the entire city of Bundi. You can smell the freshness in the air feel in the wind in your face. One advice to travellers is to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll have to walk a lot and to bring your own bottles of water.