Big-time tourism hasn’t thankfully reached this market town on the edge of the Thar Desert yet, a city of brilliant winter sunshine that provides an immersive experience. Famous for its fiery red chillies and its Fort made of richly carved red sandstone.
Nagaur’s fort is a huge complex with four main palaces and over 50 smaller buildings, surrounded by two fortification walls and—despite the arid climate— extensive gardens, fountains, pools, and water systems. The palaces located in the fort complex showcase period furniture, antiquities and a fantastic range of frescoes. The murals at Nagaur are considered to be the finest in Marwar.
Nagaur was a stop on medieval trade routes, and hence the fort changed hands between Rajputs and Mughals, then came under British vassalage. After India’s Independence, the fort went into decline due to neglect and vandalism. Eventually it was handed back as family property to Maharaja Gaj Singh II, the current head of the Rathore clan and underwent much needed restoration to its former glory. In 2002, the Fort won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation. It was also short listed for the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2011-2013.
The fort houses Akbari Mahal, a Mughal guest house built surrounding a water tank with a Sheesh Mahal where faint traces of mirrors and frescoes provide a glimpse of what must have been a sumptuous palace.
Also located within the fort is Ranvas, one of our favourite heritage properties in Rajasthan.
Nagaur is known for its fine cattle and, not surprisingly, one of the largest cattle fairs of the region is held here annually in January/February.
