Chivalrous Chittaurgarh, the citadel of the brave, reverberates with tales of valour and romance. The massive fort atop a hill is perhaps the best of the country and could be singled out for its glorious past. The fort with its chequered history has witnessed some of the bloodiest battles in history, three great Sakas and some of the most heroic deeds of valour, which have become an integral part of the folklore.
Chitauragarh has legendary origins. It is bekieved that Bhim, one of the heroes of Mahabharat epic, came here to learn the secrets of immortality and became a disciple of a sage. But, his impatience to perform all the rites deprived him of his goal and out of sheer disgust he stamped on the ground, which disgust he stamped on the ground, which created a water reservoir 'Bhim Lat'. Historians believe that the region came under the Mewar rulers. It is said that Bappn Rawal, the legendary founder of the Sisodia clan, conquered Chittaur from Mauryas in the middle of 8th century. Under his able descendants, Mewar became one of the most powerful kingdom of the north, with its boundaries extending from Gujarat to Ajmer. Chittaurgarh remained the capital of Mewar till 1567, when Akabar, sieged Chhitaur and Udaipur became the new capital of Mewar.
|
|
Getting there
Airways : The Nearest airport is at Dabok, Udaipur (90km).
Railways: It is well connected by Rail with direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Ahmadabad, Jodhpur, Khandwa, Indore, Ratlam, Mandsore, Kota, Bundi, Kachiguda etc.
Roadways: The town is well connected by road. There are bus services for Udaipur, Ahmadabad, Mt. Abu, Sirohi, Jalor. Jodhpur, Dungarpur, Banswara, Bundi, Kota, Rawatbhata, Ajmer, Jaipur, Pratapgarh, Ratalm, Indore, Tonk and Nathdwara etc.
Facts About Chittaurgarh
Area : 6.5 sq. km.
Altitude : 408 metres
Languages : Hindi, English.
Temperature : Summer Mean Max. 33.8c, Mean Min 11.6C
Rainfall : 60-80cms.
Clothing : Summer Lights cottons Winter Woollens.
Exploring Chittaurgarh!
The Fort
It is regarded as one of the most outstanding forts of the country and is indeed the 'Pride of Rajasthan'. The formidable fort is perched atop a 180 meter high hillock covering a massive area of 700 acres and is a standing sentinel to the courage and valour of Chittaurgarh. It is believed that the fort was originally built by the Mauryans in 7th century and further structures were added to it by the successive Mewar rulers. It was ravaged thrice, but each time the indomitable spirit of Chitaur rose like a phoenix and regained its lost glory. Allaudin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in 1303. It is said that he was lured b the legendary beauty of Rani Padmini and attacked Chittaur to abduct her. But, Rani Padmini preferred death dishonour and committed Jauhar (self immolation), along with the other ladies of the court. Chittaurgarh was plundered again in 1535, by Sultan Bahadur Shaha Gujarat and finally by the Mughal emperor Akbar, in 1567, in an attempt to subdue Maharana Udai Singh.
The one mile long serpentine road to the fort is quite steep and exhaustive. The fort is approached through seven huge gateways or 'pols', which are guarded by watch tower and massive iron spiked doors. The main gateways are Badal Pol, Bharon Pol, Hanuman Pol and Ram Pol, with a distinct R a j p u t architectural style. Near the Bhairon Pol is a cenotaph or 'chhatri' built in honour of the, chivalurous Jaimal and his cousin Kala, who laid down their lives whilst defending Chittaur against the Mughal. Jaimal who was seriously wounded, but was not ready to die in his bed and was carried into 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 battles by his mother. His mother and newly wed bride also took to the battle field and died in front of him, so that Phatta could fight fiercely and be free from any affection towards the home. Next day the women folk of the palace ended their lives by committing Johar (sacrifice). Phatta lead the saffron robed men from the front and thundered down upon the fighting fiercely. Important monuments inside the fort are:
Vijaya Stambh or 'Victory Tower'
It was erected by Rana Kumbha in 1440, to commemorate his victory over the combined forces of the kings of Malwa and Gujarat. The nine storeyed tower rises to a height of110 ft (36.5 mts.) and gas a girth of 30 ft. at the base. The elegant limestone structure is ornately carved and studded with splendid sculptures of Hindu deities.
Rana Kumbha's Palace
It is the largest monument of the fort and is associated with Rani Padmini, who is said to have committed Jauhar (self immolation) in one of the underground cellars of the palace. Today, the magnificent palace lies in ruins, but is of considerable historical and architectural value. It is believed that Rana Hamir built the original place after regaining the fort in the first siege. The palace still reflects the tastes of Rana Kumbha, one of the greatest Mewar ruler and a great patron of art and architecture.
Kirti Stambh or 'Tower of Fame'
The 22 metre high tower was built in the 11th century and is dedicated to Loard Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar. The intricately carved structure is full of figures from Jain pantheon.
Padmini Palace
This was the palace of Rani Padmini, who preferred death before dishonour and committed Johar, along with her entire entourage before falling into the hands of Allauddin Khilji. The 'Zanana Mahal' of the palace overlooks a pond of water, which is associated with an interesting legend. It is said that, Rani Padmini stood in the Zanana Mahal and her reflection on the waters of the pond was shown to Allauddin Khilji on permission of Rana Ratan Singh.
Meera Temple
It is dedicated to Meera Bai, a mystic poetess and great devotee of Lord Krishna. She was born in KurKi village near Merta to Ratan Singh Rathore and was married to Bhojraj, son of Rana Sanga of Mewar. In front of the temple is the cenotaph (chhatri) of Shri Rai Das of Banaras, the guru of Meera Bai. Within the cenotaph is a carved figure conveys that all castes are equal and even outcasts can attain God.
Kumbha Shyam Temple
The sacred shrine was built by Rana Kumbha in 1448. It is dedicated to Varah (Boar), the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is also associated with Meera Bai.
Mahasati Cenotaphs
Beautiful chhatris or cenotaphs built in the memory of Ranas and their wives can be seen here.
Kalika Mata Temple
It is dedicated to Goddess Kali and is located towards the southern side of the fort. Originally it was built as a Sun Temple by Bappa Rawal in the 8th century, but was destroyed during the first sack of Chittaur. Rana Hamir converted it into a kali temple on regaining the fort into 14th century.
Jaimal & Patta's Palace
The relics of this palace are witness to the heroics of Rathore Jaimal and Sisodia Patta, the two great warriors, who laid down their lives for the honour of Chittaur.
Government Museum: The fabulous Fateh Prakash Mahal has now been converted into a museum. It exhibits a rate and rich collection of sculptures from the fort and the temples.
Gaumukh (Cow's Mouth) Reservoir
It is located near the Mahasati Chowk. The water from a spring flows through a stone structure carved in the form of a cow's mouth into the reservoir over here.
Mohar Magri (Hill of Gold Coins)
This mound was raised by Akbar in 1567, while laid seize over Chhitaurgarh. It is named so because Akabar paid one mohar (gold coin) for each basketful of earth placed on the mound, as it was a very dangerous work to be accomplished in front of the soldiers guarding the ramparts from above. The mound was raised to such a height that the Mughal cannons could be placed over it and fired inside the fort.
Other important places within the ramparts are, the Tuja Bhawani temple, the tutelary goddess of the scribes; temple of Annapurna; the Naulkha Bhandar or nine lakh treasury; Singar Chauri, depicting inscriptions dating back to 1448 Ad. and Sat-bis-Deori, an ancient Jain temple, etc.
|
|
