Nahargarh Fort Jaipur

Nahargarh Fort JaipurThe Indian state of Rajasthan is famous for its royal heritage. Formed by the union of many princely states ruled mainly by Rajputs, Rajasthan has many forts and palaces. Some of these palaces and forts are associated with important historical events as well. Nahargarh Fort, along with other two forts viz., Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, once formed a strong defense for Jaipur city. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734, this fort was originally named Sudarshangarh Fort. Later, it was given a new name, Nahargarh which means 'abode of tigers'. Located in one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world, the Aravalli Hills, this fort gives you a breathtaking view of the scenic surroundings. One of the major tourist attractions of Jaipur, Nahargarh Fort is noted for its extended wall which connects it to the Jaigarh Fort.

Nahargarh Fort: History
Nahargarh Fort was built in 1734 by the then Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh II. He constructed the fort as a retreat for the hunting expeditions of the royal family. The fort was initially named Sudarshangarh but was later renamed as Nahargarh. According to local legends, the construction of the fort was obstructed by the spirit of a Rathore prince named Nahar Singh Bhomia. To pacify the spirit, a temple was built in his memory within the premises and the fort was renamed to honor him.

The massive fortification walls of this fort extended to reach up to the Jaigarh Fort, which formed a wall of defence around the city of Jaipur. Throughout its history, this fort never faced any attack. However, it has remained witness to several significant events in the past that took place within its premises, including the signing of truces with the Maratha armies in the 18th century. During India’s first rebellion for freedom in 1857, the king of Jaipur had relocated the Europeans living in that region within the walls of the fort.

In 1868, the fort was renovated and extended by Sawai Ram Singh, the then king of Jaipur. During the period from 1883 to 1892, several palaces were added to the fort at a huge cost of around 3, 50,000 rupees. Separate suites were built within the fort for the royal women and the king. Till 1944, the Jaipur State Government used to fire a gunshot from this fort as a time signal for the whole city.

Nahargarh Fort Architecture
Nahargarh Fort, one of the top tourist places to visit in Jaipur, is designed in the Indo-European style of architecture. The fort features an imposing entrance, called Tadigate, and houses several impressive structures within its premises. There are a couple of temples inside the fort complex, including the one dedicated to Nahar Singh Bhomia and another one dedicated to the rulers of Jaipur. The undulating walls of the fort are extended over several kilometers.

Madhavendra Bhawan aka Madhavendra Palace is the most attractive structure within the fort. Constructed by Sawai Madho Singh, this two-storied palace compound comprises of separate living quarters for the king and his queens. There are nine identical suites built for each of the nine queens, each of which is adorned with bedrooms, lobby, kitchen, and other essential sections. All these suites were connected through corridors adorned with stunning frescos, but they were built in such a manner that the king could visit any one of his queens without the knowledge of the other queens. The building also includes a large open-air enclosure called Diwan-i-Aam, where the king held audience with his subjects and attended to their grievances.

There are also two step wells at Nahargarh Fort, one located within it and one within the ramparts. Of these, the biggest is the one outside the fort and it has also been featured in Bollywood movies. A distinguishing feature of these wells is that unlike most other step wells in India, they feature an asymmetrical design. This is primarily because these wells are constructed without altering the natural terrain of the mountains.