Jalore Fort, Jalore

Jalore Fort: Jalore Fort is the main attraction of Jalore, a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan, one of the nine castles of the Maru’, under the Paramaras in the 10th century. It is one of the most famous and impressive forts in the state and has been known through history as the Sonagir.

Nestled atop a hill nearly 1200 ft in height, the entry gate can only be be reached though a serpentine ascent of around two-miles up the hill. The fort features four gates - Suraj Pol, Dhruv Pol, Bal Pol and Siroh Pol. The typical construction of the Suraj Pol helps the first rays of the rising sun enter through its gateway. The major residential palace inside the fort is now deserted, with only its ruins left to view. The Topekhana or the canon foundry is the most vital structure of the fort. It was built by Ala-ud-din Khilji in the 14th century. A few mosques are found inside the fort, which are believed to be built using the remnants of 84 Hindus and Jain temples. Presently, this fort belongs to the State Government’s archaeological department and has been declared as a protected building since 1956.