Nawalgarh Fort

Nawalgarh Fort, also known as Bala Kila, is a historic fort founded in 1737 by Thakur Nawal Singh of the Shekhawat Rajput clan. Located in the heart of Nawalgarh town in Rajasthan's Shekhawati region, the fort served as the defensive nucleus around which the prosperous trading town developed. While most of the fort is now in ruins with portions housing government offices and banks, it retains the remarkable Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), featuring intricate mirror work, gilding, and frescoes.

Visitors will find that much of Nawalgarh Fort has fallen into disrepair, with remaining structures housing modern government offices and bank branches. The main entrance is a single inconspicuous gate at the end of the city market, wedged between modern buildings. After entering through a courtyard with shops, visitors pass through a café-restaurant occupying part of the old palace to access the Sheesh Mahal, a circular room decorated with thousands of mirrors, inlaid glass, gilding, and frescoes depicting court life and Krishna's leelas.

Nawalgarh Fort was built in 1737 by Thakur Nawal Singh, younger son of Thakur Shardul Singh of Jhunjhunu, who belonged to the Shekhawat Rajput clan. The fort served as the defensive stronghold and administrative center for the newly founded town of Nawalgarh, strategically positioned on the trade route between Delhi and Jaipur. It played a crucial role in protecting traders and local people during the 18th century when Shekhawati was an important commercial corridor. The fort originally had four entrances and strong enclosures as part of its defense strategy. Under British rule, the fort's political importance declined, but it remained a symbol of Rajput heritage.

The fort represents the transition of Shekhawati from a military outpost to a prosperous commercial hub. The surviving Sheesh Mahal showcases exceptional Rajput craftsmanship with its mirror work, gilding, and frescoes. The fort is closely associated with the wealthy Marwari merchants who transformed Nawalgarh into an 'open-air art gallery' with their ornate havelis.