The strategic significance of Khejarla Fort is underscored by its placement upon an elevated escarpment, which rendered it an impregnable bastion against hostile incursions. The Rajput stronghold, though not of the gargantuan proportions of Mehrangarh, was a critical defensive outpost in Marwar’s military network, shielding the trade routes and agrarian settlements of the region. Over the centuries, the fort bore witness to numerous conflicts, repelling marauding forces with its formidable ramparts and well-planned fortifications. The natural elevation, coupled with its high stone walls, ensured a tactical advantage, enabling the Rajput garrison to anticipate and counter adversarial manoeuvres.
The architectural composition of Khejarla Fort exemplifies the Rajput school of fortification, blending martial robustness with ornamental finesse. Constructed from red sandstone, quarried locally, the edifice radiates an ethereal crimson hue at dawn and dusk, its ramparts standing in stark contrast against the cerulean sky. The entrance to the fort is marked by an imposing gateway, flanked by towering bastions, which once served as watchtowers and artillery emplacements. The main rampart extends across a length of approximately 100 metre, with fortified walls rising to a height of 20 feet, punctuated by crenellations and embrasures to facilitate defensive archery and musketry.
Within the citadel, a labyrinthine arrangement of pavilions, courtyards, and residential quarters unfolds, each imbued with historical gravitas and aesthetic sophistication. The principal courtyard, spanning an area of nearly 2500 square feet, is encircled by intricately carved pillared halls and verandahs, where the erstwhile nobility convened for administrative and ceremonial affairs. The Durbar Hall, an architectural tour de force, remains the most distinguished chamber within the fort. Adorned with stuccoed frescoes, latticed windows, and gilded embellishments, this grand hall measures approximately 40 feet in length and 25 feet in breadth, its elevated ceiling supported by sculpted sandstone columns bearing motifs of floral and geometric design.
Adjacent to the Durbar Hall lies the Rani Mahal, the erstwhile zenana quarters, distinguished by its delicate jharokhas (overhanging balconies) and marble-inlaid niches. The interiors of the Rani Mahal exhibit an opulent interplay of mirror work, hand-painted murals, and stained-glass fenestrations, which filter the daylight into a kaleidoscopic display of hues. The private chambers extend towards the rear of the fort, culminating in an open terrace that commands an unparalleled panorama of the surrounding desertscape.
Flanking the northern bastion is the temple precinct, an area consecrated to the tutelary deity of the Khejarla chieftains. The shrine, although austere in its exterior, houses an exquisitely sculpted idol and bears inscriptions chronicling the fort’s patronage over the centuries.
The courtyards, interspersed with colonnades and cloisters, are indicative of Rajput architectural pragmatism, designed to regulate ventilation and mitigate the arid climate. The second courtyard, approximately 1800 square feet in extent, functioned as an assembly area for the retinue and cavalrymen, while an adjoining pavilion, with its vaulted arches and lattice screens, provided a vantage point for sentries.
With brilliant blend of past elegance and modern-day amenities, Khejarla Fort is now converted into a heritage hotel to experience the splendor of royal families. In the modern era, Khejarla Fort has undergone meticulous restoration and now functions as a premium heritage hotel, preserving its historical ethos whilst offering contemporary amenities. The fort’s transformation into a heritage retreat has been executed with reverence to its original character, ensuring that its architectural integrity remains unblemished. The former regal suites, once the residence of Marwar nobility, have been refashioned into opulent guest accommodations, replete with antique furnishings, embroidered tapestries, and ornate chandeliers. Each suite retains its period charm, with carved wooden bedsteads, brass-studded doors, and intricately worked alcoves that transport visitors to a bygone era.
Today the fort is known as one of the best heritage hotels in Rajasthan and the stay in this historic building is a unique experience. The hospitality at Khejarla Fort is curated to offer an immersive experience into Rajasthan’s aristocratic past. Traditional Rajasthani cuisine is served in the erstwhile banquet halls, where guests dine beneath gilded ceilings, enveloped in the strains of live folk music. The fort’s courtyards, once arenas of military congregation, now host cultural performances, including Kalbelia dance and Maand singing, further enriching the visitor’s encounter with the region’s living heritage.
The fort also offers curated heritage walks, wherein guests traverse its ramparts and corridors under the guidance of expert raconteurs who elucidate its storied past. For those inclined towards equestrian pursuits, Marwari horses—descendants of the breed that once bore Rajput warriors into battle—are available for excursions across the undulating desert terrain.
Thus, Khejarla Fort, though no longer an active bastion of war, continues to reign as an enduring symbol of Rajputana’s architectural and cultural magnificence. Its sandstone walls, weathered by time yet steadfast in their grandeur, stand as silent sentinels to the valour, artistry, and regal sophistication that defined the annals of Marwar. Whether as a stronghold of yore or a sanctum of hospitality in the present day, Khejarla Fort remains an indelible chapter in the architectural and historical legacy of Rajasthan.