Nahargarh

Giving brilliant views of the Man Sagar lake and the vast sprawling city of Jaipur, you must see the beautiful Nahargarh Fort that also houses the compact Madhavendra Bhawan palace. It came into popularity even more when portions of the movie Rang De Basanti were shot at this fort.

Legend has it that this fort was named Nahargadh after Nahar Singh Bhomia whose spirit resided in the premises of the fort and obstructed its construction. It was then that a tantrik was called to pacify the spirit. It is said that the spirit demanded the construction of a temple in the fort complex and offered to leave the premises on the condition that the fort be named after him and that's how the Nahargarh Fort came to be so.

Nahargarh Fort was built with the dual purpose of acting as a summer retreat as well as strengthening the defence ring of Jaipur. When in the fort you can take a look at the king's 12 suites that were built for the wives and the children, along with his own majestic suite. The fort also offers some great avenues for taking back picture perfect shots of the Pink City. Within the complex, there are two counters where you can buy drinks and refreshments for yourself.

History Of The Fort

Backside entry and old path of Nahargarh

Nahargarh Fort was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur, on the Aravalli hills, as a retreat place. Nahargarh Fort is connected to the Jaigarh Fort through its fortifications. It is believed that the construction of this fort was obstructed by the spirit of a Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia. However, the spirit was pacified when a temple dedicated to him was built inside the fort. Sawai Ram Singh renovated this fort in 1868.

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.

View of Jaipur City from Nahargarh during Diwali

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.

Maps and contact details

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