Nahargarh Fort is situated in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan. It was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh in 1734. These are crowned with forts and fortifications and strengthen the defence of the city. Nahargarh is also called the ‘Crown of the Jaipur’. The grand and imposing fort of Nahargarh stands perching a precipitous hill to the north-west of the city.
A crenellated parapet covers the entire course of the hill lying between Nahargarh and Jaigarh joining these fortresses. It throws a chain of solid defense with its embattled walls and towers against the enemy attack from the side.
Sawai Jaisingh who built this fort was a consummate General, a connoisseur of art, seasoned astronomer and a great builder. Nahargarh Fort has an interesting legend ascribed to its construction. Nahar Singh Bhomia, an ancestor of Amber rulers resided in this place in a divine form when the construction work started, he created difficulty and arrested the progress of the work. What constructed in the day was dismantled in the night by the divinity.
Sawai Jaisingh also felt the need of solid and sure means of defending the city which during that turbulent time could have been subjected to enemy attack. He constructed Nahargarh in seven years later on the hill in close vicinity from the city and connected it with Jaigarh, another great fort in Amber.
The name Nahargarh was given after the divinity otherwise it is known by the name of Sudarsangarh Fort. The fort crowns the highest surrounding peak which commands a panoramic view of the city. The density of the forest which is an unfailing accompaniment of mountainous region is conspicuous by absence here. The hills’ side is dull, drab and steep presenting a dismal view. While passing through the spacious enclosure with a tank below the rampart on the city side, the visitor enters the main gate from which emanates the second line of defense.
Trees of various kinds provide a pleasant relief from the drabness of the rocks and sooth the eye with its all-pervading greenness. Monkeys are freely gamboling here whose cry resounds in the glen below. After entering this gate, the main portion of the fort starts on the right side one narrow way presumably built for carrying guns to the rampart leads to bastions of this side. Below the high embattled rampart lies the depth of the terrain engulfed with the density of the forest and presents a pleasant view.
At the fort there are several ways are branched off from here leading to the various parts of the rampart. Several pieces of guns are placed in position here which were used to safeguard the fort. The peculiarity of construction not usually adopted in mountain forts is the raising of a path along the parapet broad enough to carry a piece of the cannon of moderate size.
The sand dunes near the walls of the fort rise very high and look like throwing a challenge to the eminence of the fort. The Nahargarh Fort was held mysterious and had numerous talks to its credit. The treasure of the rulers was kept here and even the highest official of the state was not allowed to go to the fort without being blindfolded.
As in the architecture, the Nahargarh Fort is associated with events of historical importance. It is one of the Best Forts in Rajasthan which has its own history and culture.