The fort, originally of mud-bricks, has witnessed enormous changes at the hands of successive rulers. The massive fortificated walls have a basal width with ramp and stairs leading to the parapet from the inner quadrangle. The entrance to the fort is through a three-storeyed gateway, flanked on either side by two massive bastions at the northern end of the eastern face. To the right of the gateway is Rani Mahal with projecting balconies and attached side-rooms, the roofs painted with floral designs. To the left of the gateway on top is a gurdwara built by Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala. The Nishan Sahib at the gurdwara was installed by the Patiala regiment after their victorious return from World War II.

The fort, which now stands in the middle of the haphazardly growing town, is in a dilapidated condition. Many signboards warn the residents that the walls of the fort had been declared unsafe and could collapse any time. Last year the ASI celebrated the World Heritage Week at the fort to build public opinion so that the authorities concerned could be pressured into releasing more funds for the upkeep and maintenance of heritage monuments.
Sources in the ASI disclosed that due to the scarcity of funds the upkeep of the monuments was very difficult. Moreover, people have allegedly encroached upon many monuments in the state. The ASI has a strength of about 70 employees in the state to look after all these monuments. Most of the monuments are visited by senior officials only once a year.

The sources said while the ASI was short of funds a plan to collect donations was prepared by the government. Under the plan any individual, institute or body was free to donate money for the upkeep of archaeological sites in the country. The donations were made tax-free by the government. But the scheme did not elicit very favourable response, perhaps due to inadequate publicity.

The fort is a witness to the changing times and traditions of the region. A cross-section of the residents regretted that the pride of the city was in a bad condition. Most of them expressed ignorance about any ASI scheme wherein they could donate money to save the Bathinda fort