Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan India

The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the most famous forts in Rajasthan. The fort boasts a great architecture along with a historical significance. A large number of tourists coming to Chittorgarh visit this fort. In fact, it is an integral part of Chittorgarh tours.Located on a 180 meter high hill, the Chittorgarh Fort boasts a picturesque location. The fort's journey towards fame was kick started by Bappa Rawal. He was the clan founder of Guhila-Sisodia. It is spread across an area of 800 acres of land. The various fortifications, palaces and towers are offering a great view to the tourists. The famous fort was built by Chitrangad Maurya in the mid 6th century. The fort has the history of being sacked three times between 15th century and 16th century. The fort reveals a lot of past glory of Rajasthan.

The marvelous architecture of the place is also a great attraction for tourists. The various architectural features like the seven gates of the fort impart a lot of beauty and character to the fort. The gates also bear distinct names like Hanuman Pol, Bhairon Pol, Padan Pol, Lakshman Pol, Rampol lead, Jorla Pol and Ganesh Pol. The gates are actually cenotaphs that were mainly built to commemorate the sacrifices of various warriors. Building the fort was a measure is to pay a tribute to those warriors who sacrificed their life to save the fort.

The rail way station at Chittorgarh is the main mode of transport to reach this fort. The Chittorgarh railway station is located very close to the Gambheri River. It is well-connected to important cities like Udaipur, Kota and Delhi by rail. Though Chittorgarh does not have a airport of its own but you can easily reach the above mentioned big cities and take the help of railways to reach Chittorgarh.

History

It was ruled initially by Guhilot and later by Sisodias, the Suryavanshi clans of Chattari Rajputs, from 7th century, until it was finally abandoned in 1568 after the siege by Emperor Akbar in 1567. It sprawls majestically over a hill 180 m (590.6 ft) in height spread over an area of 280 ha (691.9 acres) above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort precinct with an evocative history is studded with a series of historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemoration towers. These monumental ruins have inspired the imagination of tourists and writers for centuries.

The fort was sacked three times between 15th and 16th centuries; in 1303 Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 Emperor Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who left the fort and founded Udaipur. Each time the men fought bravely rushing out of the fort walls charging the enemy but lost every time. Following these defeats, Jauhar was committed thrice by more than 13,000 ladies and children of the Rajput heroes who laid their lives in battles at Chittorgarh Fort, first led by Rani Padmini wife of Rana Rattan Singh who was killed in the battle in 1303, and later by Rani Karnavati in 1537 AD

Thus, the fort represents the quintessence of tribute to the nationalism, courage, medieval chivalry and sacrifice exhibited by the Mewar rulers of Sisodia and their kinsmen and women and children, between the 7th century and 16th century. The rulers, their soldiers, the women folk of royalty and the commoners considered death as a better option than dishonor in the face of surrender to the foreign invading armies.