[1][2][3] The fort complex was built under the supervision of Karan Chand, the Prime Minister of Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled from 1571 to 1611 AD.

[1][4][5] Historical records reveal that despite the repeated attacks by enemies to capture the fort, it was not taken, except for a lone one-day occupation by Kamran Mirza.

Kamran was the second son of the Mughal Emperor Babur who attacked Bikaner in 1534, which was then ruled by Rao Jait Singh.

Bikaner, though a partly of the Thar Desert, was considered an oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the Gujarat coast since it had adequate spring water sources.

His successful war exploits by way of winning half of Mewar kingdom won him accolades and rewards from the Mughal emperors.

With the large revenue earned from these jagirs, he built the Junagarh fort on a plain land, which has an average elevation of 760 feet (230 m).

[3] Raja Rai Singhji, was an expert in arts and architecture and the knowledge that he acquired during his several sojourns to several countries are amply reflected in the numerous monuments he built in the Junagarh fort.

[5][10] Thus the fort, a composite structure, became an outstanding example of architecture and a unique centre of art, amidst the Thar desert.

Anup Singh, who ruled from 1669 to 1698, made substantial additions to the fort complex, with new palaces and the Zenana quarter (royal dwelling for females).

Following him, Surat Singh ruled from 1787 to 1828 and he lavishly decorated the audience hall (see picture in info box) with glass and lively paintwork.

Dungar Singh who reigned from 1872 to 1887 built the Badal Mahal (the weather palace) named so in view of a painting of falling rain and clouds (a rare event in arid Bikaner).

[12] However, during the 18th century, before this treaty was signed, there was internecine war between rulers of Bikaner and Jodhpur and also amongst other Thakur, which was put down by the British troops.

[12] The structures built within the Junagarh fort are the palaces and temples, which are made of red sandstone (Dulmera) and marble.

[3][7] The fort, the temples and the palaces are preserved as museums and provide insight into the grandiose living style of the past Maharanas of Rajasthan.

[15] The massive fort built in the plains of Bikaner has a rectangular (quadrangular) layout with a peripheral length of 1,078 yards (986 m).

[5][7][15] The fort with seven gates[7] contains several palaces, pavilions and many temples of Hindu and Jain religions – the earliest dated to the 16th century.

[9] Several types of architectural style are discerned in the fort complex and hence it is called a true depiction of composite culture.

Thus, the unique monuments on display in the Junagarh Fort represent sixteen successive generations of the rulers of Bikaner, starting from the end of the 16th century.

Forty-one hand imprints are seen on the Daulat Pol gate wall,[9] in red colour, of the wives of the Maharajas of Bikaner, who committed sati (self-immolation) on the funeral pyres of their husbands who died in battle.

It has stained glass windows and intricately carved balconies built in stone and wood fluted columns.

[3][17] Chandra Mahal has the most luxurious room in the palace, which houses gold plated deities and paintings inlaid with precious stones.

[9] The walls in this palace depict fresco paintings of the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha amidst the rain clouds.

[15][24][25] Maharaja Rai Singhji Trust has been set up by the 'royal family of Bikaner' with the basic objective to showcase the fort with professional inputs in various areas and to improve the experience for visitors.