Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort sits on the Aravalli ridge above Jaipur, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734 as part of the defensive ring around the planned city below. The original name was Sudarshangarh; it was renamed 'Nahargarh' ('Tiger Fort') after a wandering prince named Nahar Singh whose ghost reportedly disrupted construction until a small shrine was built to placate him. The fort never saw battle — its strategic value was as a refuge in case Jaipur city below fell, which never happened. The Madhavendra Bhawan inside the fort, built by Sawai Madho Singh II in the late 19th century, is the highlight: a network of nine identical apartments (one for each of the king's queens) connected by corridors so that the king could visit any queen without the others knowing. Each apartment has a bedroom, lobby, kitchenette, and toilet, plus connecting corridors decorated in floral frescos. A separate grand apartment for the king sits at the head of the network. The sunset view from the Padao Restaurant terrace over the spread of Jaipur is the standard reason to make the climb. The fort connects to Jaigarh Fort and the older Amer Fort via a fortified passage. Drive up via the back road or trek the front trail.