Nabha Fort:
Volunteers recently cleared four trolley-loads of garbage from the 18th-century Nabha Fort and an adjoining park, renewing demands that the monument linked to Maharaja Ripudaman Singh be protected and developed as a tourism destination.
- Nabha Fort is located in Nabha city within the Patiala district of Punjab.
- It served as the royal residence and administrative center of the Nabha princely state under the Phulkian dynasty.
- Constructed and expanded over more than 150 years, notable rulers like Maharaja Hira Singh (1843-1911) contributed to its grandeur with decorative frescoes, intricate carvings, and spacious courtyards.
- The fort played a significant role during the Anglo-Sikh Wars, with Nabha aligned with the British, which secured its sovereignty under colonial rule.
- The fort features traditional Indian military architecture with thick walls, bastions, and large gates designed for defense, alongside palatial residences, gardens, and audience halls showcasing a blend of Mughal, Rajput, and Sikh architectural styles.
- The fort also consists of painted chambers, gilding and mirror work, colored glass and decorative fanlights, wood carvings, decorative plasterwork, stone door frames, and stone jaalis.
- Rediscovered artifacts include rare wall paintings depicting Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army and a unique cooling system in the basement known as the Sard Khana.
