The short answer
Devgarh Old Palace Area: what visitors should know first
Go if you like quiet ruins and local history; it is a modest site and best seen on the way in or out of Pratapgarh. Allow an hour and expect rough paths, no facilities and no formal ticketing information.
History and context
The story behind Devgarh Old Palace Area
According to regional sources, Surajmal founded Devgarh (Dewaliya) as the capital in 1514, after his family left Mewar following a dispute. Maharawat Pratap Singh built the new town of Pratapgarh in the late 17th century, as Devgarh's climate was considered unsuitable. Sources differ on some dates, so treat precise years with care.
Useful facts
Devgarh Old Palace Area facts at a glance
- Location
- Devgarh near Pratapgarh
- Experience type
- Ruined palace and temples
- Known for
- Old capital, stepwell, Jain temples
- Built
- Capital founded 1514 per regional sources
- Terrain
- Hilltop, uneven paths
- Time or schedule
- Daylight; access informal
Why it matters
Why Devgarh Old Palace Area is worth your time
Devgarh is where the Pratapgarh line began. Its first capital shows the sequence of a small Rajput state that spread across the Aravalli foothills, before the move to a new town. The site is a useful counterpoint to the polished palaces of larger cities, and it shows how modest local courts lived.
It also helps explain the area's craft traditions, since Thewa developed under the patronage of this court. A short visit gives context to everything else you see in the district.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Old Rajmahal
The old palace shows the scale of the first capital.
- 02
Stepwell and ponds
Look for the baoli and the ponds below the hill.
- 03
Jain and Raghunath temples
Small temples with local devotion and a reported solar clock.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat Devgarh as an architectural wander rather than a museum visit. Ask your driver to find the old palace area, then walk through the palace courtyards and rooms as far as access allows. The old Rajmahal and the lanes around it show how the earlier capital was laid out on a hill, with ponds below and temples nearby.
Look for the stepwell, the Jain temples and the Raghunath temple, where a solar clock is reported inside the Rajmahal. The ponds of Tejsagar and Sonela lie below the settlement. Wear sturdy shoes, because paths are uneven, and carry water.
If you want local stories, ask the caretaker or a resident about the history of the place. The rulers later moved to the new town of Pratapgarh, so the older capital has a faded, quiet character. Photography of buildings is usually fine.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask your driver to confirm the location
- Wear sturdy shoes
- Carry water
- Check which buildings are open
- Visit in daylight
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Devgarh (Dewaliya), the old capital near Pratapgarh
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, October to March
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The site is on a hill with uneven paths and steps. Older travellers may prefer to see the lower parts only and rely on a driver who can wait close to the entrance.
- Tickets and access
- No official entry fee or timings are published; confirm locally. Some buildings may be closed or in poor repair.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Devgarh Old Palace Area
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The site is on a hill with uneven paths and steps. Older travellers may prefer to see the lower parts only and rely on a driver who can wait close to the entrance.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is there an entry ticket?
No ticket details are published. Confirm locally.
Is it the same as Pratapgarh fort?
No. Devgarh is the older capital; Pratapgarh town was founded later in the late 17th century.
How long does it take?
About an hour.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
