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We had just a quick stop at this wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site. We wished we'd had longer, it was an amazing place.
Vijay stambha or Victory tower,erected by Rana Kumbha in between 1440 and 1448 to commemorate his victory over the combined forces of the Kings of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440.The nine storeyed tower rises to a height of 122 feet and has a girth of 30 feet at the base.The elegant limestone structure is ornately carved and studded with splendid sculptures of hindu deities.
Rana Kumbha Palace is situated inside the Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan. It is located near the Vijay Stambha close to the entrance gate. The ruins of the once famous palace have the temple of Lord Shiva, Zanana mahal, Diwan -e -aam, along with a stable for horses. According to the legends, the founder of the city of Udaipur, Maharana Udai Singh was born here, and his life was saved by his wet nurse Panna Dai, who hid him inside a fruit basket. This place was once the home of the famous bhakti poetess Meerabai.
The Jaya Stambha / Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory), the symbol of Chittor and a particularly bold expression of triumph, was erected by Rana Kumbha between 1458 and 1468 to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Shah I Khalji, the Sultan of Malwa, in 1440 AD.
Chittorgarh Fort, a World Heritage Site, is the largest fort in India. It is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit, for people of Chittor always chose death before surrendering against anyone. It reverberates with history of heroism and sacrifice that is evident from the tales still sung by the bards of Rajasthan.
The Chittorgarh Fort sprawls majestically over a hill 180 m in height covers an expanse of 700 acres (2.8 sq km) above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. It was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th century AD and named after the Mauryan ruler, Chitrangada Mori. The fort is surrounded by a circular wall which has seven huge gates before one can enter the main fort area. The fort precinct with an evocative history is studded with a series of historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemoration towers.
Fiercely independent, the fort of Chittor was under siege thrice - by Alauddin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, in 1303 AD, Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujrat, in 1534 AD and by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1567 AD.
Though it can now be called a ruined citadel there is much more to this huge fort. It is a symbol of all that was brave, true and noble in the glorious Rajput tradition.
Images of India
This fort is famous as the home of Padmini, the heroine Rajput Rani ( Queen ) who comitted Sati ( burned themselves to death ) with all of the women folk in the fort after the Rajput men were defeated in battle by the invading Moghul hordes coming from the West, deemed a more honourable fate than submission. Other Rajput forts were rather more subtle in their approach to the might of the Moghuls coming from Afghanistan and Western Persia and either capitulated ( uncommon for the Kshatriya ( farmers who turn to warriors ) caste Rajputs ) or married Hindu Princesses to Moghul Princes to faciliate a peaceful transition. Chittor is pretty unique in Rajasthan for its defiance and protection of Hindu idealism.
35mm Fujichrome scan
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