he forbidding hill-top fort of Nahargarh (“tiger fort”) stands in what was once a densely forested area. The fierce Meena tribe ruled this region until they were defeated by the Kachhawahas. Legend says that this was the site of the cenotaph of Nahar Singh, a martyred ilathore warrior, and when Sawai Jai Singh II ordered that its fortifications be strengthened to defend the newly-built Jaipur, the warrior’s spirit resisted all construction until a priest performed tantric rites. Successive rulers further expanded the fort.
Madho Singh II added a lavish palace called Madhavendra Bhavan for his nine queens. Laid out in a maze of terraces and courtyards, it has a cool, airy upper chamber from which the ladies of the court could view the city. Its walls and pillars are an outstanding example of grayish , a plasterwork technique that is handpolished with a piece of agate to produce a marble finish.