Fort Chanwa

Maharaja Jaswant Singh II Ruler of Jodhpur Marwar from 1876-1895 A.D. is remembered as the benign Monarch who steered the administration and economy of Marwar away from chaos and instability to a period of sustained development and security and justice for all.
Amongst the prominent civil servants in this Ruler's coterie of administrators, was a young Charan named Kaviraj Muraridanji. He was an astute politician and a farsighted administrator. In 1894 Kaviraj Muraridanji received in Jagir the little known hamlet of Chanwa. There he built an exquisite little Fortress palace today known as Fort Chanwa.

By the time of the State Census of 1941 however the village of Chanwa became "Khalsa" (belonging to the state) as, ironically Muraridanji fell victim to a law introduced by him in the best interests of Marwar, whereby feudal estates lacking a male successor and without a recognized adoption in the life time of the deceased Jagirdar were automatically resumed by the state, after his death.

CHANWA FORT

In the year 1948 Chanwa was granted as Jagir to Maharaj Dalip Singh, the youngest son of Maharaja Umaid Singh. However over the years the Fortress sank into years of neglect and decay.

A JEWEL IN THE DESERT
Fort Chanwa of Luni is an exceptional example of Elegance and Symmetry in Indian architecture of the last century. The entire fortress is carved out of the famous red sandstone of Jodhpur and with its ornately carved lattice work friezes and intricate Jherokas it exquisitely captures the romance and grace of a bygone age.

The Fort is composed of a lyrical complex of courtyards, towers, water-wheels, stables, passages and unexpected stairways to secret pavilions and panoramic roof tops spanning the village below and the Thar horizon beyond. The traditional paintings on the walls harmoniously reflect the skill of the master craftsmen and the bygone days.

The village of Luni nestles in the shadow of the Fort walls and is a hub of activity with its many artisans fashioning metal, clay or wood into intricate forms and demonstrating the skills passed down over the centuries by their ancestors.

The village elders solemnly reflect the changing times under shady trees, while the children enjoy running around narrow carefree streets. The women, swaying in their brilliant Rajasthani colours go about their daily chores to give water and sustenance to the village.

The Fort has been beautifully restored to its former glory by its owners Maharaj Dalip singhji, the youngest son of H.H. Maharaja Umaid Singhji and his wife Rani Madhu. Each room has been created and decorated with its own particular charm and the many courtyards, verandahs and gardens all offer a setting and ambiance set to capture your heart.