Khimsar Fort

Khimsar Fort was established in 1523 CE and the family that built it still inhabits it as its modern day custodians. It stands at the edge of the Thar desert in western Rajasthan, and is home to the Karamsot Rathores, who describe themselves as one of India's only surviving Rajput dynasties of direct descent.

The family's nineteenth descendant, Gajendra Singhji, opened the doors of the fort in the 1990s as one of India's first heritage hotels, and went on to create two further properties in the area, at the dunes and in the village.

What that means for a guest is a working family seat rather than a restored monument, on the desert's edge and within reach of Jodhpur and Bikaner.