The Kuchaman Fort is situated on the top of a hill like an eagle's nest. It has many tales to tell. The Kuchaman City controlled the salt trade as far as back as 1250 years ago. For
this purpose, Gujjar Pratihara Dynasty had constructed part of the Kuchaman Fort during 760 A.D. They controlled of the salt producing areas that starts from Kuchaman and extend up to the salt lake of Sambhar.
After the fall of the Gurjar Pratihara Dynasty in 960 A.D., the Chauhans ruled the area and were followed by the Gaur rulers.
After the fall of the Gaur rulers, the Rathores became the rulers of this area. Actually, the Rathores got possession of this area only after a war with the Gaurs. The Rathores ruled this area from 1724
A.D. onwards till independence of India and the merger of the erstwhile Princely States.
Kuchaman Fort with its high and massive ramparts, 32 bastions, 10 gates and various defenses is a formidable Fort unique in its architecture. For its water management and storage schemes. Kuchaman Fort
had several underground and over ground tanks that exist even today. The underground hideouts, secret escape routes, dungeons and the ancient flourmill are truly exceptional and can be seen only at this
exquisite Fort of Kuchaman.
The Kuchaman Fort has been restored back to its past glory, thanks to the great efforts of the direct descendant of the former Rathore Rulers, Ranjit Singh Rathore. The restoration process required not
only ample time and money, but also great precision and skill in planning, without disturbing the originality of this Ancient Architectural wonder. It required "travelling back in time",
conceptualizing the ambience of the "havelies" and forts of those times. The work involved using the same ingredients that were used by the masons centuries ago. The descendants of the masons
and artisans who had built the Kuchaman Fort still live in and around the city of Kuchaman and are known as "Kumawats". Due to lack of any demand for their skills and patronage in the few
decades, they had to emigrate to other regions and change their profession for earning their bread and butter. |
