Rajasthan - the Land of Kings - is home to some of India's most staggering and romantic forts.

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It's little wonder why most travellers to India are drawn to these monuments, which call back to a time when royal dynasties ruled from fantastical desert outposts.

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But in a region bejewelled with historic sites, it can be difficult to know where to start.

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Here are six of the best.

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1. Most Mighty - Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

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When it comes to sheer imposing power, Mehrangarh Fort stands alone.

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Looming above the painted Blue City below, Jodhpur’s fort rises atop a rocky hill in great barrels of stone to dominate the city skyline. Built up gradually across the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Mehrangarh’s battlements shelter some of the most intricate and beautiful palaces in all of South Asia. Climb the ramparts and lose yourself in the awesome stone grandeur of bygone dynasties.

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Take in the towering defensive walls as you enter, keeping an eye out for the enormous iron spikes on the entrance gates, installed to deter enemy elephants. On the right-hand side you can see two sets of crimson handprints, each resembling the Sati of Royal Widows who, in accordance with the tradition, committed ritual suicide on their husband’s funeral pyre. The last handprint was cast in 1843.

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Getting There: From Ghanta Garh Square, head north through the colourful Old City - the main entrance is at the Northeast Gate. Follow the signposted path uphill or save yourself the steps and take a winding autorickshaw ride instead (around ₹150).

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Cost: Entry for non-Indians - ₹600

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2. Most Instagrammable - Ajmer Fort and City Palace, Jaipur

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For sheer pastel-hued brilliance, Jaipur’s Ajmer Fort and City Palace are, whilst a tad touristy, superbly photogenic. Nestled amidst the Aravalli Hills just north of the city, Amber Fort is a captivating fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture, whilst the city’s central Palace is a marvel of pink sandstone. One of the fort's most iconic features is the Sheesh Mahal, or Palace of Mirrors, a dazzling chamber adorned with thousands of tiny mirrored shards. The popularity of Jaipur as a destination means you may be part of a crowd. Get there early if you like your shots empty.

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How to Get There: Amber Fort is located just 11 kilometers from Jaipur city center. Visitors can easily reach the fort by hiring taxis, auto-rickshaws, or taking local buses from the city. You’ll see other visitors taking elephant rides up to Amber Fort’s main entrance - these animals are mistreated so we suggest you don’t.

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What to See: Explore the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), and the picturesque Maota Lake. Witness the spectacular sound and light show in the evening, narrating the fort's fascinating history.

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3. Hidden Gem - Bundi, Taragarh Fort

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Bundi lies firmly off the typical Rajasthan tourist trail, but its spellbinding fort  - seemingly carved from the cliff face it clings to - is one of the region’s most evocative and well worth a detour.

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One of the best examples of Rajput architecture in India, Taragarh - literally ‘Star Fort’ - sparkles in the sun with spacious pavilions and detailed mosaics.

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Built in the 14th century by Rao Deva, the fort served as a strategic stronghold for the rulers of Bundi, providing protection and commanding views of the surrounding landscape. One of the most fascinating features of the fort is the elaborate network of secret underground tunnels, rumoured to connect the fort with several other landmarks in the town, including the Taragarh Palace and the ancient stepwell, Raniji ki Baori. These tunnels served as secret passages for the royals and their entourage, offering a means of surveillance and escape during times of siege or invasion. You’ll see the entrances to these tunnels throughout the fort, but sadly none are open for exploration.

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Getting There: Bundi’s off the beaten track location means it’s a little harder to get to, but by no means impossible. From Pushkar, buses run via Ajmer regularly throughout the day. From Udaipur, a local train runs every day, although it’s slow - taking around 8 hours.

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Entry fee: ₹600

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4. Most Atmospheric - Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer

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The images conjured of India before you arrived might have looked something like Jaisalmer’s fort, which rises above the surrounding Thar Desert like a sandstone mirage of ages passed.

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A designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this honey-hued citadel is one of the few ‘living forts’ left in the world, continuously inhabited for its near nine hundred years of history. It's the perfect place to put down Google Maps and allow yourself to get lost amidst its winding alleyways, stumbling upon the ornately carved Havelis (private mansions) and Jain temples to the found within its walls.

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Getting There: The wider city of Jaisalmer encircles the fort’ Usually you can walk from your accommodation in minutes. Regular bus, train and taxi services run to the surrounding major cities of Delhi, Jodhpur and Bikaner.

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What to See: Jaisalmer Fort is home to some of India’s most intricate and well-preserved Jain temples. Check out the multitude of Jain Temples and traditional Havelis (private mansions), impossibly carved from the stone around you.

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Entry Fee: FREE

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5. Most Romantic - Udaipur’s Royal Palace

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Set atop India’s most romantic city, Udaipur’s city palace overlooks the expansive, impossibly tranquil lake. Inside, royal chambers are an explosion of colour

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6. For Adventurers - The Storied Fort of Chittogarh

India’s largest fort complex lies in Chittogarh, rising above the plains of Mewar across an area of 700 acres. It’s a wonderfully evocative place to explore and shrouded in Rajput legend.

Chittogarh fort has seen multiple invasions over the years, perhaps most notably during the siege of 1303, when the Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji, launched a fierce attack on the fort to capture Rani Padmini, the queen of Chittor, whose legendary beauty had entranced him.

Rather than submit to the Sultan's demands, the Rajput warriors fought to the death, many performing the ultimate act of sacrifice known as "jauhar," where women and children immolated themselves on funeral pyres to avoid capture.

Nowadays the fort lies in partial ruin, overtaken by nature and faded. But to wander its locales, mindful of the stories that once unfolded here, is a magical experience, and one where history can be felt.

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