A mud fort in the Chambal ravines of Bundelkhand has joined RARE India’s curated collection of experiential stays. Fort Rampura in Uttar Pradesh’s Jalaun district has been home to the Kachawaha Rajput family for 15 generations, its origins tracing back to the late 13th century when Raja Ram Shah built it as a defensive structure.
Today, Padmini and Keshavendra Singh run a 12-room homestay within the complex, a tradition the family has maintained for over two decades. Two rooms sit within the family’s private residence, with ten more spread across the wider fort. Meals are home-cooked and shared communally, and the emphasis throughout is on living alongside the family rather than being hosted by a hotel.
Guests can explore the fort’s layered history, visit local bazaars, meet artisans and farmers, take boat rides on the Yamuna, cycle through the countryside, and experience Bundelkhand’s folk traditions. Nearby excursions include Jagamanpur Fort, the Chambal Sanctuary, and Kannauj, known for its centuries-old perfumery heritage.
The property operates from October 1 to April 15 and is roughly five and a half hours from Delhi by road.