We soon headed towards Bikaner, where we visited the Fort Junagarth, built in 1589 by Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner who reigned from 1571 to 1612. Said to have travelled extensively during his imperial service he developed an appreciation for Art and Architecture, which he decided to incorporate in the architectural style of the Fort.
Entering the Fort by the main door we couldn't help noticing the defensive structure, which is said never to have been trespassed by invaders.
We then walked from courtyard into courtyard, each of which with very distinct features and around them 37 profusely decorated places, temples and pavilions said to have been built by the successive rulers over the centuries.
The marble tank to be seen at the Durga Niwas is said to have been built to help those inhabiting the palace to make it through the hot season.
The more we "explored" the courtyards the more we had the perception that what lay beyond those austere stone walls we had walked into were incalculable artistic pieces, from simple glazed Dutch tiles decorating a window through to gold leaf ornamented ceilings and walls and even public audience halls that left us almost breathless.
(To be continued)
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