Padmini's Palace, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan India

The Padminis Palace in Chittorgarh is not only a tourist attraction. It is also a great manifestation of the fact that Chittorgarh is a land of warriors. It is a perfect place to visit in order to gain knowledge about the history of the place which was once the capital of Mewar, ruled by Rajputs. It is located in the south of Chittorgarh.

Dedicated to Rani Padmini, it is a great palace to visit. Rani Padmini is a very well known figure in Rajasthan. She was the queen of Raja Rattan Singh who ruled Chittorgarh during the 1300 A.D.

Rani Padmini’s Palace is a compact three storeyed white building, but what is seen today is a 19th century reconstruction of the original. The palace is surrounded by water, and the inevitable chhatris (pavilions) crown its roofs. This was perhaps the forerunner of the concept of Jal Mahal (palaces surrounded by water), and it was from here that Akbar carried off huge bronze gates and installed them in Agra. Close by is Bhimlat kund, an artificial tank dedicated to the strongest of the Pandava brother, Bhima. A beautiful lotus pond is located nearby the palace. It is believed that it was in this palace the Sultan Alauddin Khilji view the reflection of the beautiful Rani Padmini in a mirror which was located in the main hall of palace. Overwhelmed by the eternal beauty, the Sultan decided to make Rani as his worthy wealth and eventually this desire led to the conquering of Chittorgarh. However, in order to avoid dishonoring herself, she jumped into the pyre. This signifies the heroic spirit of Rajputs. The palace was mainly built to signify such glorified sacrifices of women. The palace also has the history of being attacked by the Mughals.

Padminis Palace predominantly has a feminine structure. The various architectural features of the palace are something to watch out for. There is a pool just beside the palace. You will also find a pavilion at the center of the palace. The various architectural features will help the tourists to get a detailed knowledge about the various features of Rajasthani architecture.