Chittaurgarh epitomizes Rajput
spirit, valour, pride and romance. It reverberates with heroism and sacrifice
the tales of which are still sung by the Bards of Rajasthan. The imposing and
aweinspiring fort stands on a 240-hectares site, on 180m high hill that rises
rapidly from the plains.
It has one kilometre zigzag
ascent to it. The road leads through seven gates to the main gate Rampol
(meaning Gate of Ram). On the ascent between the second and the third gate, you
see two ‘Chattris’ (cenotaphs) built to honour Jaimal and Kalla heroes of 1568
siege by Emperor Akbar. The main gate of the fort itself is Surajpol (meaning
Sun Gate). If you want see this historical fort then you join Luxury Tours of Rajasthan.
The fort fell thrice to the
enemies in its entire history. The first attack occurred in 1303 when the
Sultan of Delhi Ala-ud-din Khilji, overwhelmed by the beauty of Queen Padmini,
besieged the fort with sinister design to capture the queen. In 1535 Bahadur
Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, besieged the fort causing immense carnage. It is
said that 32000 men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out to face
certain death. The women folk led by Rani Karnawati committed Jauhar
(collective self immolation by fire) to save their honor.
In 1568 Mughal Emperor Akbar
conquered it. In 1616, Mughal Emperor Jehangir restored the fort to the
Rajputs. Now, a new township sprawls below the hill on the west side.
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