Nahargarh Fort
Perched majestically on the hills of Aravalli, Nahargarh is one of Jaipur’s architectural wonders. It offers an unmatched view of Jaipur, the pink city of India. Nahargarh is itself a sight for sore eyes and is situated on the outskirts of Jaipur, is known for its extended wall that connects it to Jaigarh Fort. This grand fort is embellished with delicate carvings and stonework and is an impregnable structure. The Fort was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1734 as a retreat. The fort also has a lady’s quarters by the name of 'Zenana'. Known as the Madhavendra Bhavan, the 'Zenana' was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Its counterpart, the 'Mardana Mahal' was also constructed in the complex for the royal men.
History
Marked with a plethora of important historical events, Nahargarh Fort was built by the founder of Jaipur city, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in the year 1734. The fort was often used as a summer retreat palace and in fact was never attacked in its long and illustrious history. However, it has been a site of major historical events such as the signing of treaties with Maratha forces in 18th century. It is to be brought to our attention that the construction of the fort was hindered by Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia. It is believed that his spirit haunted the Nahargarh Fort and in order to appease the spirit of Nahar Singh Bhomia a temple devoted to him inside the fort. Not just this, but the fort has also been known to provide shelter to several Europeans during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
Architecture
The majestic Nahargarh Fort exhibits a beautiful Indo-European architecture housing several beautiful structures inside. It has an entrance gate called "Tadigate", and a temple dedicated to the Jaipur rulers towards left. However, the fort houses another temple devoted to the Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia. The structure is a two storied building with suites for king and his twelve queens. Divided into nine similar apartments, each one consists of a lobby, bedrooms, toilets, kitchen and store. Other attraction inside the palace includes Diwan-I-Aam, an open-air enclosure where the king met his subjects and listened to their problems and complaints.
ENTRY FEES
The entry fee for Indian and foreign tourists differ. The ticket prices are as follows:
For Indian Tourists: INR 20
Indian Students: INR 05
Foreign Tourists: INR 50
Foreign Students: INR 25
TIMINGS OF THE FORT
The fort remains open from 10AM to 5 PM every day. However, it may require 2-3 hours for you to explore the entire place.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
It is rather pondered about that the most ideal time to visit Nahargarh Fort is during the winter season between the months of October and mid-March. It is so, because the climate during these months is usually pleasant for sightseeing and enjoying a day at the fort.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE FORT
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Since the fort was never invaded either by the armed forces or the Mughals, the field guns of the impregnable Nahargarh fort were used to indicate the time by firing time signals.
- During the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the Nahargarh fort was better utilised to house several Europeans by the king of Jaipur, Sawai Ram Singh, for their protection.
- The most interesting part of the Nahargarh fort is the Madhavendra Bhawan which possesses 12 identical suites for the use of royal women. These suites were connected with a common corridor in a way that the Maharaja could pay a visit to any of the queen’s room without other queens knowing about it.
- The Nahargarh Fort holds a reputation of once being haunted by the spirit of Nahar Singh Bhomia who was a Rathore prince. Sawai Jai Singh then had to build a small temple in order to pacify the spirit of the deceased, hence the name of the fort was kept after the name of Prince Nahar Singh Bhomia.
- Unlike other stepwells in Rajasthan, stepwells within the fort have an asymmetrical design.
TIPS FOR VISITING NAHARGARH FORT
- Make sure you carry a water bottle with you to keep yourself hydrated.
- A pair of comfortable footwear is recommended since you will have to walk on your foot inside the fort.
- Carry packaged food with you if you want.
- Do not litter inside the fort.
- If you are a history buff and are interested in the intimate history of the fort, then you can hire a guide.
- You can also enjoy meals at the open air PADAO restaurant within the fort with a separate entry fee of INR 50 per person.
PLACES TO VISIT NEAR NAHARGARH FORT
- Jaigarh Fort: Sharing an uncanny resemblance with the Amer Fort, the Jaigarh Fort is interchangeably known as the “Victory Fort†too. The Jaigarh Fort was built by Sawai Jai Singh in the year 1726 and is perched on Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of the Aravalli range. The fort was essentially made to protect the Amer Fort and its palace complex and was hence named after him.
- Jal Mahal: The Jal Mahal was originally constructed in 1699 and later on was renovated in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber. Built in red sandstone, the palace showcases the Rajput style of architecture and is an architectural marvel. The palace is located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, India.
- Amber Fort: Located in the city of Amer, Rajasthan, India, Amber Fort was founded by ruler Alan Singh Chanda of the Chanda Dynasty of Meena. Perched high on the hills, the fort is known for its artistic Rajput architectural style elements. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Jaipur.
- Nahargarh Biological Park: Situated under the Aravalli range, the Nahargarh Biological Park is a part of the Nahargarh Sanctuary and is located about 12 km away from Jaipur on the Jaipur-Delhi highway. The park is famous for its vast flora and fauna. One can expect to see over 285 species of birds, of which, the most popular is the white-napped tit, which can only be found here.
RESTAURANTS NEAR THE FORT
- Once Upon a Time at Nahargarh: The perfect place to indulge yourself in scrumptious Indian cuisine. This historical Madhavendra Palace within the Nahargarh Fort has been converted into a heritage hotel and the magnificent interiors are a reminder of the era of the Rajput and Mughal rulers.
- Padao Restaurant : An open-restaurant located at a small distance from the Nahargarh Fort. It has a curated menu of the choicest veg and non-veg food items. The restaurant at present is run by RTDC.
- Nahargarh Palace Hotel and Restaurant: Nahargarh Palace Hotel and Restaurant is a restored 19th-century palace hotel located near the Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. It offers deluxe rooms, super deluxe rooms, and suites with modern amenities like air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. The hotel's rooftop restaurant serves Rajasthani, Indian, and international cuisine with panoramic views of the city and hills. Facilities include free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, a travel desk, a swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center. It's an ideal choice for travelers looking for a comfortable and authentic experience near the Nahargarh Fort.
How To Reach
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The best way to reach the tomb is to conveniently get to the AIIMS Metro Station, from where the monument is not that far away.
