
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.

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. Its 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 maharajas 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.