The mysterious, still inhabited Hathroi Fort in Jaipur

Sunset and kite flying from the walls of the Hathroi Fort

At the end of the year 2019 we were still in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Here we got a special invitation: to have a chai, and a little tour inside the Hathroi Fort. Both from Ajeeth, a guy who’s living inside of the fort with his family.

The only thing the Lonely Planet mentions about this fort is that the district around it is named after this old, – but despite that, still occupied – fort on a hilltop.

^{Car cemetery on the way to the Hathroi Fort}

Maharaja Jai Singh II chose this spot amidst he hills and rocks, to protect the southside of Jaipur.

Lying on a hill in the centre of the city, the the fort and its thick walls turned out to be the perfect place to watch the sunset over Jaipur.

And alsot the best spot to see the enthusiastic young – and a bit older – men flying kites and competing with each other, by cutting off the others kite string. The very popular and entertaining (even to watch) activity at the rooftops of the Pink City at the end of the day.