Chittorgarh

Chittaurgarh : The most Romantic name in Rajasthan is chittaur. Chittaur is more than a ruined citadel; it is a symbol, It stands for all that was brave, true and noble in the Rajput tradition, Chittaur was sacked three times, and on each occasion the rite of Jauhar was performed. The first was in 1303 when Allauddin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi coveted the famous Rajput beauty Rani Padmini whose face he hand seen reflecting on a mirron Padmini led the Jauhar rather than submit to dishonor. The second was in 1533 when the sultan of Gujarat attacked Bikamjeet of Chittaur Rani Karnavati a Bundi Princess lat the jauhar in which many women and children perished. Her own infant son Udai Singh was an adventurous childhood. Udai Singh lived to inherit the throne of Chittaur but his traumatic childhood had taugh him that discretion was creainly to be preferred to valour So when in 1567, Mughal Emperor Akbar besieged Chittaur, Udai Singh escaped leaving its defence to two sixteen-year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and patta of Kelwa. They died in true Rajput tradition after the jauhar had been proclaimed and Akbar taking no chances razed the Fort to rubble.

Chittaur was never inhabited again. But it remained the dream – or rathr the Holy Grail-of the Rajputs. Udai Singh built his new capital in Udaipur – a beautiful lake city which still flourishes. But his son Rana Pratap could not forget that it was Udai  who had lost Chittaur.

"The only fort is the fort Chittaurgarh and rest are the fortresses"

Major Attractions :

The Fort : Believed to have been constructed by later Maurya rulers in 7^th century A.D., this fort is located on a 180 metre high hill, covering 700 acres. Tablets and Chattries bearing testimony to the acts of sacrifice and gallantry lie between several monumental gates. The main gates are Padon Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol and Ram Pol. With a distinct Rajput character, the fort has many architectural attractions.

Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower) : Built by Maharana Kumbha  in commemoration of victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440 A.D., this 37 metre high tower is a structure of nine storeys. Its exterior is decorated with sculptures and it has withstood the vagaries of nature through the centuries.

Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame) : This 22 meter high, Tower of Fame, was built by a wealthy Jain merchant in the 12th century A.D. and is dedicated to Adinathji, the first of the Jain tirthankaras. The tower is decorated with figures from the Jain pantheon.

Rana Kumbha's Palace : Although in ruins, this palace is of great historical and architectural interest. It is believed that in one of the underground cellars, Rani Padmini and other women committed jauhar. This palace is the biggest monument in the Fort of Chittaur.

Padmini's Palace : Rani Padmini was a celebrated beauty and according to a legend, it was here that Rana Ratan Singh showed a glimpse of her to Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi. It overlooks a pool in which the ‘Zanana Mahal’s is situated, where Padmini stood when here reflection was shown to Allauddin Khilji in a mirror placed in the main hall. 

Kalika Mata Temple : A temple of Mother Goddess Kali, is the symbol of power and valour. Originally it was built as a Sun Temple in the 8th century and was converted into Kalika Mata Temple in the 14th century A.D.

Government Museum : The magnificent Fateh Prakash Mahal has been converted into a museum now. It has a rich collection of sculptures from temples and buildings in the Fort.

Jaimal and Patta Palace : The ruins of the palaces of Rathore Jaimal and Sisodia Patta remain symbols of the exemplary gallantry of these great warriors.