Chittaurgarh Fort
Chittaurgarh Fort is
a living testimony to the bravery of the great Rajput rulers who laid down their
life fighting a superior enemy instead of leading a life of submission. The fort
is located on a hill that dominates the modern township of Chittor. It is a fine
example of the Rajput style of architecture.
Standing tall in one of the
oldest cities in Rajasthan, the Chittaurgarh Fort perched on a 152-m-high rocky
hill. The Chittaurgarh Fort epitomises the doomed romantic ideal of Rajput chivalry.
Chittaurgarh Fort is a living testimony to the bravery of the great Rajput warriors
who sacrificed their lives fighting a superior enemy instead of leading a life
of submission.
The fort with its impressive location and colourful history
is the main source of attraction in Chittor town. Named after Chittrangad Mauraya,
the fort is a fine example of the Rajput style of architecture. The Sisodia ruler
Ajay Pal (1174-1177 AD) improvised the fort wall built by the Gahlot king in the
ninth century AD. The immense stretch of the walls and the ruined palaces relate
the saga of innumerable sieges and heroism. The Chittaurgarh Fort witnessed three
ferocious sieges and each time her defenders, demonstrating true Rajputana pride,
fought valiantly against the enemies.
With the modern town of Chittor at
the foot of the hill, imposing Chittaurgarh Fort rises 150 m above the surrounding
region and runs to an approximate length of 3 km covering an area of 60 acres
and peripheral length of 13 km.
Not to be missed during your travel to
Rajasthan, the legend of Chittaurgarh Fort still lingers with the story of Queen
Padmini and Ala-ud-din Khilji, the ruler of Delhi, who was besotted with her beauty.
According to legend, it was because of the beautiful Padmini that Chittaurgarh
was sacked the first time. Ala-ud-din Khilji is said to have been so carried away
by Padmini's beauty that he attacked Chittor in order to possess her. This led
to the first bitter and bloody siege of the Chittaurgarh Fort and the subsequent
mass suicide.
The main places of interest within the precincts of the fort
are the two towers known as the ‘ Kirti Stambh’ (Tower of Fame) and
the ‘Vijay Stambh’ (Tower of Victory). Besides these, there are several
temples, reservoirs, and palaces originating between the 9th and 17th centuries
AD. There is also a big complex of Jain temples within the fort.
Kirti
Stambh
The Kirti Stambh is a seven-storied structure with a cramped stairway
of 54 steps. It is 30 feet at the base and narrows down to 15 feet at the top
and is adorned with Jain sculptures on the outside. It is dated approximately
around the 12th century AD. It is dedicated to the first Jain tirthankara or spiritual
teacher, Adinath, and has an impressive five-feet-high statue of the saint.
Vijay
Stambh
However, the most imposing structure within the Chittaurgarh Fort
is the Vijay Stambh. This tower can even be seen from the town, which is located
below the fort. This exemplary piece of architecture stands on a pedestal of 47
square feet and 10 feet high, while the tower alone stands at a height of 122
feet and is 30 feet wide at the base. There are 157 steps and the stairs are circular.
It is believed that the tower took 10 years to be completed. The tower was built
around the 15th century AD, by Rana Kumbha, one of the most powerful Mewar kings.
The tower was built to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khilji of Malwa. The
entire structure is covered with sculptures of Hindu deities and episodes from
the two great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, with names given
below each piece of sculpture.
Sammidheshwara Temple
The Sammidheshwara
Temple is near this tower. Gaumukh reservoir and the palace of Queen Padmini are
important spots to the south of the Rana Kumbha Palace. According to legend, Ala-ud-din
Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, was allowed to see the reflection of Queen Padmini
in this palace. A big water reservoir with water gushing out of a rock shaped
in the form of cow’s mouth called ‘ Gaumukh’ is close to the opening
of the cave where Rani Padmini and the other women are believed to have performed
jauhar. Other spots worth visiting are the Bhimtal Tank, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple,
Meera Temple, Kumbha Shyam Temple, and Kalika Mata Temple dating back to the 8th
century.
