Rajasthan Villages - Nagaur

Nagaur was bestowed upon Balban as a jagir (ancestral property) in 1242. After that, the Sultans of Delhi, Guajarat and Marwar continuously exploited the city for possession. It was in great demand because of its strategic location. Sher Shah captured it in 1542. Later on, it was included in the Mughal empire and became a 'sarkar' (division) under Ajmer Subah. During those days, the province yielded revenue of Rs. 10 lakhs annually.

An old fort in the heart of the town contains old palaces, water cisterns and a few other partially ruined buildings. The fort has some real high value paintings on its walls, making it a must-see for art lovers.

There are quite a few historically important monuments in the town. There is a shrine dedicated to the disciple of the Khwaja of Ajmer. It is the Dargah of Khwaja Hamiduddin Nagauri who was also known as Sultan-ul-Tarkeen.

The other monument worth a visit is the Amar Singh Rathore Ki Chhatri. Known for his exemplary gallantry in the battlefield, Amar Singh was denied his right to succession to the throne during the Mughal era. He is remembered for upholding his dignity by murdering Salabat Khan - the brainchild behind the emperor's insolent conduct towards him - in full view of the Mughal Court in Agra. Although Amar Singh was killed, stories of his dauntless spirit and heroics are part of Nagaur's folklore now.

Nagaur is also renowned for its marble industry. The famous Makarana marble - used in the Taj Mahal (Agra) and Victoria Memorial (Kolkata) - is found in plenty here. This industry generates big revenue for the town.

Nagaur Fort
It is believed to be as old as the 2nd century. Centrally located, this sandy fort has witnessed a number of battles. There are many small temples and palaces inside the premises.

Tarkeen Dargah
It is a very sacred place for Muslims and Sufis and is the most renowned after the world famous Ajmer Dargah.

Glass Jain Temple
A very sacred place for the Jain community, this temple is built of glass and is indeed a great display of master craftsmanship.

THE NAGAUR FAIR
Nagaur is known to be the land of fairs. For the rural habitants of the town, these fairs are big social events and are eagerly awaited. They actually help in binding the state together and facilitate harmony.

The biggest fair in Nagaur is the Ramdeo Cattle Fair. It is also the third largest cattle fair in the state of Rajasthan. King Umed Singh of the Jodhpur Dynasty found this fair in the honor of Shri Ramdeo. For the last 56 years, this fair is being held annually in the month of Magh (January/February). Various breeds of goats, cows, sheep, camels, horses, bullocks, etc are put up for display and sale by the villagers. The famous Nagauri bull is the chief attraction of the fair. Cattle bearers from all over the country participate in the fair with enthusiasm and try to strike a profitable deal here.

The fair is a big market of farm products, especially the Mirchi (red chilli). The Nagaur Fair is a real showcase of rural Rajasthan, its culture and tradition.

About 247 kms from Jaipur, Nagaur is centrally situated in Rajasthan. It shares its border with several other districts in the state. Bikaner and Churu in the north, Sikar and Jaipur in the east, Ajmer and Pali in the south and Jodhpur in the west are Nagaur's neighbors.