Forts of
Rajasthan
Chittaurgarh Fort ||
Kumbhalgarh Fort ||
Mehrangarh
Fort
Chittaurgarh Fort
Standing tall in one
of the oldest cities in Rajasthan, the Chittaurgarh Fort perched
on a 152-m-high rocky hill. The Chittaurgarh Fort epitomises the
doomed romantic ideal of Rajput chivalry. Chittaurgarh Fort is a
living testimony to the bravery of the great Rajput warriors who
sacrificed their lives fighting a superior enemy instead of
leading a life of submission.
The fort with its impressive location and colourful history is
the main source of attraction in Chittor town. Named after
Chittrangad Mauraya, the fort is a fine example of the Rajput
style of architecture. The Sisodia ruler Ajay Pal (1174-1177 AD)
improvised the fort wall built by the Gahlot king in the ninth
century AD. The immense stretch of the walls and the ruined
palaces relate the saga of innumerable sieges and heroism. The
Chittaurgarh Fort witnessed three ferocious sieges and each time
her defenders, demonstrating true Rajputana pride, fought
valiantly against the enemies.
With the modern town of Chittor at the foot of the hill,
imposing Chittaurgarh Fort rises 150 m above the surrounding
region and runs to an approximate length of 3 km covering an
area of 60 acres and peripheral length of 13 km.
Not to be missed during your travel to Rajasthan, the legend of
Chittaurgarh Fort still lingers with the story of Queen Padmini
and Ala-ud-din Khilji, the ruler of Delhi, who was besotted with
her beauty. According to legend, it was because of the beautiful
Padmini that Chittaurgarh was sacked the first time. Ala-ud-din
Khilji is said to have been so carried away by Padmini's beauty
that he attacked Chittor in order to possess her. This led to
the first bitter and bloody siege of the Chittaurgarh Fort and
the subsequent mass suicide.
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