Nahargarh Fort is one of three forts at Jaipur, Amber Fort and Jaigarh Fort, being the other two. Nahargarh means an “abode of tigers”. Nahargarh Fort was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of the city of Jaipur. The fort and stepwell at Nahargarh were built as a defense fort, which was never used. This stepwell design is unique one in that there’s no symmetry in kind of steps cut out of the hillside to collect water in.
Fort Pokaran, the 14th century citadel also known as “Balagarh” stands as a paragon amidst the Thar Desert. This monument is the premier fort of The Chief of Mighty Champawats (the clan of Rathores) has to its erstwhile aristocratic title attached the prestigious honour ‘Pradhan’ ( The Premier Noble ) to recognize every Thakur of Pokaran as of the first honour in The Darbar (the court) of the state Marwar- Jodhpur.
Surrounded with rocky, sandy and five salt ranges, POKARAN means “the place of five mirages”.Fort Pokaran stands on ancient trade route that carried salt, silk and spices to Persia and beyond. Instead of winding caravans of the past, it now has trains, buses and cars. The fort now attracts travellers to stay betwixt the glorious history where each stone speaks out volumes of the past.
It is en route both from Jodhpur to Jaislamer and Bikaner to Jaislamer. It indeed makes an ideal break and offers extended traditional hospitality, which was once offered to Humayun; the Mughal Emperor in the 16th century and later to his great grandson Akbar `II; son of the last Mughal Emperor; Aurangzeb.
Jaigarh Fort and Amber Fort
Three strong finials on the Amber Fort’s spire, viewed with Jaigrah Fort and its high flying flag at the back.
This shot is special as it captures two fort’s in a single frame. The Jaigarh Fort is built on the top of the mountain called Hill of Eagles (Cheel ka Teela) to protect The Amber Fort and Palace, which is built about 400m below on a same Aravali range of hills.
I have titled my this click as ‘Jai Amber‘ as a portmanteau word picking Jai from Jaigarh Fort and Amber from Amber Fort.
Location: Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Krishna Vashistha 