Nahargarh fort of Rajasthan - an awe-inspiring fort built by Maharajah Jai Singh

Nahargarh fort, Rajasthan, India.search.yorkers.in
 

roof terrace, Nahargarh Fort, Rajasthan. upload.wikimedia.org

Nahargarh Fort near jaipur, RA upload.wikimedia.org

Above image: A bastion at Nahargarh Fort, complete with cannon embrasures and gunports for small arms in the merlons; built by Maharajah Jai Singh in 1734. Atop the fort one can  enjoy the vista of sprawling pink city of Jaipur. Equally awe - inspiring is watching the morning sunrise on the distant horizon  .....................


Nahargarh fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan. knocksense.com

Rajasthan is home to many outstanding, sturdy forts  and among them  Nahargarh Fort is an interesting tourist destination in Rajasthan state which is also  famous for palatial, colorful and  embellished palaces . The rulers of Rajput clans  centuries back paid serious attention to the defense of their countries and hence built strong and huge  self-contained forts to withstand long siege by the enemies from the north and northwest regions.  Along with Amber Fort and Jaigarh Fort, nahargarh fort formed a strong defensive ring  for Jaipur city;   Ideally located,  the other attractions are  near-by  Jaigarh Fort, Amer Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal,  Jal Mahal, etc. Nahargar fort is not as massive and huge as Amber or Jaigarh forts, but it  is equally an attractive fort being visited by lots of people.


.Nahargarh fort, Rajasthan gettyimages.in


Rampart around Nahargarh fort, Rajasthan. gettyimages.in

Nahargarh Fort is one of the important forts of Rajasthan  built by  Jai Singh in 1734  and the majestic fort is on the ridge of the famous Aravalli Hills, imparting impressive  nice  backdrop on the northern side of  Jaipur city.  Coatless people may not be aware that the Aravalli  mountains form one of the oldest  mountain  ranges of the world,  In  1868 the fort underwent some additions and expansion. Nahargarh, meaning  abode of tigers, was a formidable fort  protecting the city from the invaders. Earlier the fort was called  Sudershangarh. 


Nahargarh  fort compound, Rajasthan upload.wikimedia.org/

Within the confines of the fort  there are houses and one of it being     Madhavendra Bhawan, the summer destination for the members of the royal family.  Built by Sawai Madho Singh, the palace has 12 identical  matching boudoirs / luxurious rooms  for the queens; the king's suite is above them.  Each room has a lobby, a bedroom, kitchen and toilet and  are adorned with stunning frescoes.  All these rooms are inter connected with  well-decorated  corridors and  fine murals. Even today the palace is a favored spot for the local tourists  


Nahargarh fort, Step-well, Rajasthan. .outlookindia.com

The ruler  when constructing the fort with thick  walls,  he extended the fortification   over the surrounding hills, linking  it to   fort  Jaigarh, the fort above the old capital of Amber.  Jaigarh for has the world's largest  and powerful wheeled cannon. The Rajput rulers had peace treaties with the Maratha peshwas in the 18th century and the fort never came under the attack. However during the great war of rebellion across the northern states in 1857 against the EIC's unjust rule, several Europeans including British resident, his wife and others  were allowed to hide in the fort   by the king of Jaipur, Sawai Ram Singh, for their protection.


Ruler  Sawai Ram Singh from security point of view  in 1868 extended the fort  It was between 1883 and 1892, some palaces were  built at Nahargarh by Dirgh Patel. One of it being  the Madhavendra Bhawan, . Within the fort there was a hunting residence  for the rulers for their comfortable stay. 

Within the fort complex there is a  Wax museum, the first one in India.   Sheesh Mahal (the palace of mirrors) is an interesting one  comprising roughly  25 million glass pieces that are set with  intricate designs and gold polishing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahargarh_Fort