Top Forts and Palaces of India You Must Visit
India, synonymous with architectural masterpieces, has the world’s best fort from the time of the Mughal regiment, Marathas, and Hindu rulers. At that time, Forts and Palaces were considered royalty and honour of the king. They were built to showcase their wealth and strength in front of the public and other kings.
Moreover, Forts were also built for the safety of the royal family and people in case of war and attack from the rebel empire. These forts, built in the 14, 15 or 16th centuries, are today capacitive and must-visit places.
India’s Top Forts and Palaces
In India, there are several forts and palaces; however, all of them are not open for the public to visit. They are converted into Shahi hotels after abolishing their royal status and privileges to generate income and protect those properties.
In this blog, We at RailMitra, have curated a list of the best Forts and Palaces of India, open for public visit. You must visit these palaces and forts to find the true essence of the country.
Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur
Built by Ranna Kumbha of Mewar, Kumbhalgarh is a huge fort at 3600 ft above sea level. To visit the fort, you need to take a mesmerising jungle safari in Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary, en-circling the fort. Monsoon is the best time to visit the fort, and some incredible views of the jungle from the top of the fort.
Kumbhalgarh Fort is situated 2 hours away from Udaipur. You can first reach Udaipur junction by taking a train from any of the major Indian railway stations, including Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and more.
Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
Originally named Sudarshan Garh Fort, Nahargarh was built in 1734 by King Sawai Jai Singh II. The majestic fort overlooking the pink city of Jaipur is a pride of Jaipur tourism. You can visit this towering fort to witness the beauty of the Indo-European architectural structure.
The nearest railway station to Nahargarh Fort is Jaipur railway station. The station is 3 km away from the magnificent fort.
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The Rathore clan of Jodhpur built the vivid fort of Mehrangarh in 1960. The red colour fort located 400 ft above the sea line offers such a splendid beauty, you must experience it once. The best time to visit the fort is early morning or evening. Sunrise and sunset through this fort look truly amazing.
To take a glimpse of this fort, you can reach Jodhpur. Trains between Jodhpur and Delhi and other major railway stations are available.
Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
Popularly called “Sonar Quila”, the sandstone fort located within the thar desert has not only made its name in the list of India’s must-visit forts and palaces but also in the world. The Bhatti Rajput, known as Rawal Jaisal, is believed to have built the fort in 1156 CE, believing that Lord Krishna had blessed that land.
You can plan to visit this fort on the occasion of national days like Independence Day, Republic Day, etc. Winter is the best time to visit the fort and the splendid state of Rajasthan.
Gwalior Fort, Gwalior
Madhya Pradesh’s pride, Gwalior Fort, is the must-visit destination for each Indian. The fort standing tall in the state of lakes beautifully depicts the story of battles, imprisonments, and Jauhar. You can come to the fort and witness the inscription on the walls.
Trains can be the best way to reach Gwalior as the city is well connected with railway lines. Samata Express, Taj Express, Sampark Kranti, connecting New Delhi, Bengaluru, Okha, and more cities pass through Gwalior Junction. You can check out trains between two stations to learn about trains from your nearest railway station to Gwalior.
Mysore Palace, Mysuru
Nothing can beat the marvellous beauty of Mysore Palace! The palace is one of the greatest palaces in the country, rebuilt under the supervision of British architect Henry Irwin. Mysore Maharaja Palace is a splendid destination for witnessing Anglo-Indian architecture.
The palace, also called Amba Vilas Palace, spread over acres, and has four main entrances – “Jaya Marthanda” to the east, “Jayarama” to the North, “Balarama” to the South, “Varaha” to the west. Visitors can use the Varaha entrance to explore the fort.
Amer Fort, Jaipur
Jaipur is a city of forts and palaces. Just Visiting Nahargarh Fort cannot complete your tour to Jaipur. Amer Fort, or Amber Fort, is a major destination clad in pink and yellow sandstone. It’s home to underground tunnels, pavilions, and halls.
You can take a train tour to Jaipur to visit the mesmerising fort. RailMitra, a rail enquiry app, will help you get current-time train information to plan your journey.
Red Fort, Delhi
This fort definitely needs ‘No Introduction’. We all are aware of this fort and must have visited it at least once or seen it on television. But, if you come to the exceptional list, you must visit this fort. A place from where each year we start our celebration of Independence.
Built by Shah Jahan and invaded by the British Empire, the Red Fort has seen phases from when the country had Mughal and British rule and now when it has the power of Loktantra. Red Fort is not just a fort; it is the landmark of our nation and the emotions of each Indian.
Chittor Fort, Chittorgarh
Talking about the top palaces and forts of Rajasthan, you can’t miss the Chittorgarh Fort. The fort vested on a 180-metre high hill, spread across 700 acres, looks splendid. This fort resonates with the stories of Rajputana and their bravery, pride, and passion. It has faced several violent attacks from Ala-ud-din Khilji, Bahadur Shah, and Akbar.
This fort is a must-visit site in a lifetime. You can take a train to Chittaurgarh Junction to travel to the destination. The railway station has halts of over 60 trains, including Humsafar Express, Mail/Express Trains, Passenger Trains, MEMU Trains, DEMU Trains, Super Fast Trains, and Suvidha Express.
Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
Moving towards the end of our list of top forts and palaces, let’s take you to the Golconda Fort, located in Hyderabad. The fort built in the city of Pearls is an incredible creation of the time period between the 14th to 17th centuries.
You can visit this fort and witness the origin point of legendary diamonds like Koh-i-Noor, Blue Hope, and Daria-e-Noor. The Golconda Fort, having four forts spread over an 11-kilometre, is known for its diamond mine.
Visit these forts and palaces, and don’t forget to share your experience with us through different social media networks. We’re present on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and all other major social channels. You can also let us know about the forts and palaces you find magnificent.
What is the Difference Between Forts and Palaces?
The Palaces and forts, usually used as synonyms, have some differences. Palaces usually refer to a large home of a king and queen, whereas forts mean a large structure for the purpose of military activities. Forts are more focused on safety. On the other hand, palaces are more about beautification and comfort.
Why Should You Visit Forts and Palaces?
If you feel connected to Indian history, and find Indian architecture interesting, or want to explore the beauty of Incredible India, visiting forts and palaces is a must. They truly offer amazing views that you’ll cherish forever.
What is the Best Mode of Transport to Explore the Country’s Forts and Palaces?
Trains are the best mode of transportation in India from any place to anywhere. The Indian railway lines spread over 9000 miles, connecting the country’s major and minor areas. You can take this transport mode to explore the country’s forts and palaces located in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and other states of India.
Get help from the All-in-one rail app, RailMitra, to check the train details and plan your journey sitting at your comfortable place. RailMitra app helps you to check train schedules, tickets’ PNR status, trains between two stations, live train running status, etc.
You can do the food order in train through RailMitra’s online e-catering services. The RailMitra app provides a variety of foods, including Veg food, Non-veg delicacies, Jain dishes and regional cuisines.