Rajasthan’s history is filled with royal oriented stories and remarkable regal legends which makes it so historic and important in the regime of history.
It is also well known that Jaipur is famously known as the PINK CITY ,but is also a home to many ancient and majestic monuments and forts which gives a detailed description of the history of Rajasthan. Many of them include the Amer Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, City Palace, Amar Jawan Jyoti, Ghat Gate, Hawa Mahal,etc.
The Nahargarh Fort situated in the Aravalli mountain ranges in Jaipur and was anciently known as Sudarshangarh and was willfully built by Maharaj Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734 . Nahargarh means ‘abode of tigers’ and was named so after the many tigers that were believed to have roamed around the Aravalli hills. It was a strong defence mechanism for the city of Jaipur and was named after prince Nahar Singh Bhomia. According to a very popular belief of the rajput inhabitants, it is said that the fort was haunted or captured by the spirit of prince Nahar Singh and had placed many obstacles for the construction of the fortress. His restless spirit was also pacified by building a temple in his memory in concordance of the advice given by great astrologers within the fort and thus it also got its name and was known by him. The fort was mainly built as a place of retreat and was never attacked during the course of its reign. In other words, it had no catastrophe impact overall. The Nahargarh Fort faced an epic historical event, the treatises with the Maratha forces who warred with Jaipur in the period of 18th century.
It was also witnessed that during the INDIAN MUTINY OF 1857 ,the Europeans of the surrounding regions including a British Resident’s wife, were moved to Nahargarh Fort by King Sawai Ram Singh, who was then ruling Jaipur, for their protection and safety. The fort was also extended in 1868 with a range of many palaces surrounding it. THE MADHAVENDRA BHAWAN , which was built by Sawai Madho Singh, consisted suites for the beloved queens and a suite for the king himself. Mainly tweleve different suites for twelve of his wives. It also had rooms linked by corridors which have some delicate frescoes and deep carvings. NAHARGARH, was also a major hunting residency of the royal maharajas. The Nahargarh Fort is so famous and unique that its beauty and its versatile nature have been seen in the form of small scenes in various movies like Rang De Basanti, Bhool Bhulaiya, Jodha Akbar, Sonar Kella, etc. Cycling and Trekking are two activities taken place in the fort. There are different groups who organise these activities as a whole.
A museum named the JAIPUR WAX MUSEUM, is another attraction which was built on the left side of the main entrance of the Nahargarh Fort. It was earlier locally known as VISHRAMGHAR-Rest House for the soldiers and the calibre guns- Artillery.
The main point to be highlighted is that the fort was a 700 feet tall in height and was mainly and mainly built to strengthen the city. Since no attacks used to take place, the guns in the forts were used to indicate the time by firing time signals. The famous Nahargarh Fort with exception of its aesthetics, it also has a huge water tank that is compact with a leading channel of water from the top of the Aravalli hills. With the Abode of Tigers it is also a home to many bats specially during darkness. It is a must to visit this beautiful heritage. It is an epitome of one of the architectural masterpieces of Rajasthan. Today, Nahargarh Fort is one of the most prime tourist spots and destinations of Jaipur. Its glory is so fascinating during day as well as during night. It is also suggested to visit the fort during evenings as the fort looks pretty with the lights on.
THE NAHARGARH FORT IS THE BEST SET EXAMPLE OF INDIAN AND ALSO A EUROPEAN(INDO-EUROPEAN) WAY OF STYLE.
THOUGH RAJASTHAN IS AN ACCOMODATION AND A ROYAL RESIDENCE OF MANY TOMBS, MONUMENTS, FORTS, THE NAHARGARH FORT IS WORTH A VISIT FOR EXPLORING THE PAST LIFESTYLE AND ENVIRONMNET OF THE ROYAL EXISTENCE.
HISTORY,ROYALTY,ETERNITY AND NATURE’S BEAUTY AT ONE PLACE
THAT IS WHAT NAHARGARH FORT IS!!
By Aditi Ostwal
