Chittorgarh Fort (Chittor Fort)

Chittorgarh Fort (Hindi/Rajasthani: चित्तौड़ दुर्ग Chittor Durg) is one of the largest forts in India. The fort, popularly known as Chittor, was the capital of Mewarand is today situated in Chittorgarh. It was initially ruled by Guhilot and later by Sisodias, theSuryavanshi clans of Chattari Rajputs, from the 7th century, until it was finally abandoned in 1568 after the siege by Emperor Akbar in 1567. It sprawls majestically over a hill 180 m (590.6 ft) in height spread over an area of 280 ha (691.9 acres) above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River.

The fort that once boasted of 84 water bodies has only 22 of them now. These water bodies are fed by natural catchment and rainfall, and have a combined storage of 4 billion litres that could meet the water needs of an army of 50,000. The supply could last for four years. These water bodies are in the form of ponds, wells and step wells.

The fort was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries.Following these defeats, Jauhar was committed thrice by more than 13,000 ladies and children of the Rajput soldiers who laid their lives in battles at Chittorgarh Fort, first led by Rani Padmini wife of Rana Rattan Singh who was killed in the battle in 1303, and later by Rani Karnavati in 1537 AD. The rulers, their soldiers, the women folk of royalty and the commoners considered death as a better option than dishonor in the face of surrender to the foreign invading armies.

The Gaumukh Reservoir

Meera Temple, where saint Mirabai prayed to Krishna, starting her Bhakti movement. C

Meera Temple, where saint Mirabai prayed to Krishna, starting her Bhakti movement.

Architectural details from the Kirti Stambh

Photo Source: Collected from Internet