Nahargarh Fort is located on the sheer rugged ridge of Aravali Hills and it forms an impressive northern backdrop of Jaipur. The fort was initially built by Sawai Jai Singh in 1734 and was subsequently developed by Sawai Ram Singh. After the foundation of Jaipur as the new capital of Kacchawahas, the fort was used for summer excursions and picnics by the royal family. Later on, beautiful gardens and pavilions were added to the fort. The fort house architectural beauties like Hawa Mandir and Madhavendra Bhawan which revives he grandeur of bygone era, but today some parts of the lie in ruins. Nahargarh meaning abode of the tigers was built by Jai Singh to bolster the defence of Amber. The legend also have it that it was named Nahargarh after Nahar Singh a prince whose spirit would destroy the construction and not allow its progress further. So after a tantrik prayer to the spirit it agreed to leave on condition that the fort is named after him. The Madhavendra Bhawan, built by Sawai Ram Singh II has uniquely a cluster of 12 identical suits for queens and at the head is a suit for the king himself. The fort provides an excellent view of the Pink City spread out at its foot. The rooms are linked by corridors and retain some delicate frescos as well as toilets and kitchen hearths. One of the major attractions of the Nahargarh Fort is the view it offers of the Man Sagar lake and the surrounding area. If you are visiting Jaipur, then do take out the time to visit Nahargarh Fort, which stands as a symbol of the royal past and reminds the visitors of the glory of the former age that belonged to kings and Maharajas. |
