The Fort of Chittor (Chittorgarh)

The fort of Chittor thrills one’s heart with the reminiscence of the heroic deeds. It is the embodiment of Rajput pride and valour of aspiration. It is here in the bosom of this strong hold of rajput glory that noble sentiments, spirit of self renunciation and feeling of preferring dealth to dishonour were nurtured.

Location and Architecture

Chittorgarh is situated at a distance of 631kms (392miles) from Delhi in the state of Rajasthan. This fort, perched on a precipitous rocky hill of 152 feet, was known to be constructed around 7th century by Chitrang Maurya. For eight hundred years this fort has been the capital of Mewar. The fort covers an area of 692 acres. A steep spiral road leads to the fort interrupted by seven fortified and massive gateways. The gates are named Padalpol, Bhairava pol, Hanuman pol, Ganesh pol, Lachhaman pol, Jodala pol and Ram pol.

History and Important Monuments in Fort of Chittor

The important monuments in the fort is the victory tower erected by Rana Kumbha in commemoration of his victory over the combined armies of Malwa and Gujrat in 1440 AD. He spent rupees 90 lacks in raising this token of victory. Sculptures of Hindu divinity cover the tower which are defaced by Muslim invaders.

The palace of Rana Kumbha is also a noteworthy monument. It bears a testimony to hindu civil architecture. The Chittor fort is the home to the famous Kali temple, one of the oldest temple and belongs to the 8th century AD. Another temple Kumbha Shyam is also a fine piece of architecture. Besides these temples, there are numerous tanks which are noteworthy.

Allaudin Khiji was, the emperor of Delhi was the first to get in the walls of the fort. The soul motive was possession of Padamani, the wife of Rana Ratan Singh.

This fort is a fine sanctury of treasured pieces of Hindu architecture in  both civil and military perspectives. The monuments in the fort are numerous and the details of which is matter of volumes. I suppose this is more than a brief on the most famous of the forts in rajasthan – the fort of chittor. I would be posting again tommorrow with another of a magnificient piece , the walls of Rajputana dynasty, I mean the forts.

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