Chittourgarh-
The town of the brave, known for its massive fort atop a hill, which can be
singled out for its glorious past. The fort has checkered history, it has witnessed some of the bloodiest battles iln history, three great Sakas and some of the most heroic deeds of valor, which are still sung by the local musicians. The antiquity of Chittaurgarh is difficult to trace, but it is believed that Bhim the legendary figure of the Mahabharta, visited this place to learn the secrets of immortality and became the disciple of a sage, but his impatience to perform all the rites deprived him of his goal, and out of sheer anger he stamped on ground creating water reservoir, this reservoir is called as Bhim Lat. Later on, it came under the Mauryas or Muri Rajputs, there are different opinions as to when ilt came under the Mewar ruler, but it remained the capital of Mewar till 1568, when it was shifted to Udaipur.
It is believed that Bappa Rawal the legendary founder of the Sisodia clan, received Chittaur in the middle of 8th century, as a part of the dowry after marriage with the last Solanki princess, after that his descendants ruled Mewar which stretched from Gujarat to Ajmer, upto the 16th century.
Chittourgarh 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 Chittourgarh 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 Chittourgarh. 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. Chittourgarh is connected by both bus and rail. The bus stand and the railway are located in the new township.
Chittourgarh Fort
A standing sentinel
to
the courage and valor of Chittaurgarh, it stands tall over a 180 meter high
hillock covering a massive area of 700 acres. The fort is belileved to have
been built by the Maurya rulers in 7th century AD. The fort is a treasure house of history and historical monuments the approach to the fort is very difficult, the one mile steep serpentine thoroughfare is exhaustive and the fort is reached through huge seven pols of gates, which are in fact the strong points having a watch tower and massive iron spiked doors.
It was ravaged thrice, and each time phoenix-like it rose again Allaudin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in 1303, legend and history corroborate that this was because of his passionate desire to abduct Rani Padmini. Yet she preferred death to dishonor, and committed Jauhar (self immolation) along with the other ladies of the court. Chitturgarh was plundered again in 1535 by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and finally by the Moghul Emperor Akbar, in 1567, in an attempt to subdue Maharana Udai Singh.
The fort is approached through massive pols of gates. Near Bhairon Pol, is a cenotaph or 'chhatra' in honor of the chivalrous Jaimal and his cousin Kala, who laid down their lives whilst defending
Chittaur against the Mughals. Jaimal who was seriously wounded, but was not
ready to die in his bed , thus he was carried into battle on the shoulders of
his cousin Kala , both of them died while showing exemplary courage. At Ram Pol is a memorial to Phatta, who was only 16 years old and had just been married, his father had already died defending Chittaurgarh, and was sent into the battle by his mother, to free her son from any affection towards home she herself pickled up sword along with his bride and jumped into the battle field both of them died in front of Phatta. Next day the women folk of the palace ended their lives by committing Johar. Phatta leading the saffron robed men from the front thundered down like lightening from the mighty fortress to die fighting.
The other major gates are Padal pola and Hanuman Pol, with a distinct Rajput style of architecture.
