Jaipur Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh fort, standing tall amidst the Aravalli range, is the pride of the city of Jaipur. Along with Amber Fort and Jaigarh fort, Nahargarh acted as a defensive circle to guard the city of Jaipur. The fort was formerly built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734, seven years after he built the city of Jaipur. The fort was primarily built as a summer retreat for the royal king. It was one of the first of the three forts built by the Maharaja. The fort is connected to Jaigarh Fort through a huge wall. In 1868, Nahargarh fort was extended by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh. Later in 1880, Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh, gave the responsibility to Raj Imarat, who was responsible for undertaking royal construction projects for converting the fort into a monsoon retreat. He told them to design a palace inside the fort that would serve as a small getaway destination.

The main attraction in Nahargarh fort is the Madhavendra Bhavan, designed by Vidhyachar Bhattacharya, the person who designed the Pink City, Jaipur. The interiors of this bhavan are beautifully done with murals and fine finishes made of stucco designs. Nahargarh was primarily used as a retreat for the royal ladies. The ladies quarters, precisely known as the 'Zenana', were made to form an impression among the royal ladies. Also known as the Madhavendra Bhavan, the 'Zenana' was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The ladies quarters in the Nahargarh fort speaks volumes of the royal Rajputana taste for art, beauty and culture. The ladies quarters are spread across the fourth courtyard. Interestingly a 'Mardana Mahal' was also constructed for the royal men.
Another striking attraction of the fort is the Nahargarh Biological Park, which is located inside the fort. Spread over 50 square kms, the park is made up of granite rocks and thorn forests. The major attractions of the park are tigers, leopards and the Asiatic lions.

History of the Fort
Nahargarh Fort was built in 1734 by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It was built in the Aravalli hills, as a hunting retreat for the royalty. A tale from history states that the construction of this fort was completed after pacifying the spirit of a Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia.
Though Nahargarh Fort has not been ever attacked in history, it has witnessed the treaties with the Maratha forces in the 18th century. It also played a role in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, as the king of Jaipur, Sawai Ram Singh, sheltered the Europeans of the region, including the British Resident's wife in this fort.

Architectural Layout Of The Fort
The fort follows Indo-European architecture and there are many structures inside the fort. To the left of the entrance gate 'Tadigate', there is a temple dedicated to the deity of Jaipur rulers. Apart from this, there is another temple inside the fort, dedicated to the Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia. Another attraction in the fort is the 'Madhavendra Bhawan' built by Sawai Madho Singh. This is a two-storey building which has suites for the king and his twelve queens. It is divided into nine similar apartments and each of these apartments has a lobby, bedrooms, toilets, kitchen and store. Other structures inside the palace include Diwan-I-Aam, an open air enclosure where the king met the common men and listened to their problems and complaints.

Important Battles
Nahargarh Fort was never attacked but, it witnessed some major historical events, like the treaties with the Maratha forces which attacked Jaipur in the 18th century. This fort gave shelter to many Europeans in this region, including the British Resident's wife, during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

Nearby Tourist Attractions
Located 2.7km away from the fort, Jantar Mantar is one of the five astronomical observatories in western central India. Other places worth visiting nearby are the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jalmahal, Jaigarh Fort and Amer Fort. Located in a scenic backdrop of the Aravalli Hills, Nahargarh Fort offers a breathtaking view of the hilly milieu. The wonderful trek from the foot of the hill to the top, where the fort is located, is truly a great experience.