Udaipur Excursions
Chittourgarh Fort
Chittorgarh
is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. It reverberates with history
of heroism and sacrifice, which is evident as it echoes with the tales sung
by the Bards of Rajasthan. The main reason for visiting Chittorgarh is its massive
hilltop fort, which is a depiction of Rajput culture and values. The fort stands
on a 240-hectares site on an 180m high hill that rises rapidly from the plains
below.
Thrice a stronger enemy sacked Chittorgarh. The first sack occurred in 1303
when a Pathan King Ala-ud-din Khilji overwhelmed by the beauty of Queen Padmini
besieged the fort in order to capture the regal beauty. In 1535 Bahadur Shah
the Sultan of Gujarat besieged the fort causing immense carnage and it is said
that 32000 men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out to face a
certain death, and the women folkes committed Jauhar (an act of self immolations
by plunging in a large fire) led by Rani Karnawati.
In 1568 Mughal Emperor Akbar razed the fort to the rubble and once again the
history repeated itself. In 1616 Mughal emperor Jehangir restored the fort
to the Rajput but it was not resettled. Today a new township sprawls below
the hill on the west side. Chittorgarh is connected by both bus and rail.
The bus stand and the railway are located in the new township.
Chittorgarh Fort is a massive structure with a 1 kilometre zigzag accent to
it. The road leads through seven gates to the main gate Rampol (meaning Gate
of Ram). On the climb between the second and third gate you see two Chattris
cenotaphs built to honour Jaimull and Kulla heroes of 1568 siege by Emperor
Akbar. The main gate of the fort itself is Surajpol (meaning Sun Gate). Within
the fort a circular runs around the ruins of the fort.
According to often told legend the construction of the fort was started by
Bhim a Pandav hero of mythological epic Mahabharata. The fort has many magnificent
monuments. Akbar carried away all the distinctive pieces of architecture and
sculpture and placed them in his capital. These are still manifested in the
fort of Agra. Even though the fort is ruin but it is an overwhelming reminder
of past history and its walls resonate with unbelievable legend of extra ordinary
men and women and their equally astounding deeds.
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