The illustrious Chittorgarh fort was the capital of the world’s longest ruling dynasty, the Kingdom of Mewar, for eight expansive centuries. Not only is it regarded as the biggest fort in Rajasthan, it is one of the most important forts in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was the scene of many dramatic and tragic events during its time, some of which served as the inspiration for the controversial 2018 Indian period drama film ‘Padmaavat’ (based on an epic poem recounting the legend of Queen Padmavati, wife 14th century). monarch Maharawal Ratan Singh).
Learn more about the compelling history of Chittorgarh Fort and how to visit it in this guide.
Story
The origin of the Chittorgarh Fort dates back to the 7th century, when Chitrangad Mori of the Mauryan dynasty is said to have laid its foundations. The fort came into the possession of Bappa Rawal, who established the Mewar dynasty, in the middle of the 8th century. However, there are conflicting accounts of how it happened. Either he received the fort as a dowry gift, or he used it in battle. However, he made the fort the capital of his sprawling new kingdom, which stretched from the state of Gujarat to Ajmer in 734.
All was well until 1303, when the fort was first attacked by Allaudin Khilji, brutal ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. Was it because he wanted the strong and strategically positioned fort for himself? Or, according to folklore, was it because he desired the beautiful wife of King Padmavati (Padmini) and wanted her for his harem?
In any case, the result was devastating. About 30,000 of the fort’s occupants were killed, the king was captured or killed in battle, and Padmavati blew herself up (along with the other royal women) to avoid being disgraced by Allaudin Khilji and his army.
The Mewars managed to recapture Chittorgarh Fort and reestablish their kingdom rule there in 1326. Rana Kumbha strengthened most of the fort’s walls during his reign from 1433 to 1468. The second attack on the fort took place a couple of centuries later. in 1535, by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, who was eager to expand his territory. By then, the rulers of Mewar had developed their kingdom into a military force to be reckoned with. However, it did not prevent the Sultan from winning the battle.
Although the king’s widowed mother, Rani Karnavati, asked the Mughal Emperor Humayun for help, she did not arrive in time. The king and his brother, Udai Singh II, escaped. However, 13,000 women are said to have collectively sacrificed themselves rather than surrender.
It was a short-lived victory because Emperor Humayun swiftly expelled the Sultan of Chittorgarh and reinstated the young and inexperienced King of Mewar, Rana Vikramaditya, perhaps thinking that he could easily manipulate him.
However, unlike many Rajput rulers, the Mewars did not submit to the Mughals. Pressure was applied, in the form of a grueling attack on the fort by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1567. His army had to dig tunnels to reach the fort’s walls, and then destroy the walls with mines and cannons to break them, but finally had to success in taking the fort in 1568. Rana Udai Singh II had already fled, leaving the fort in the hands of his chiefs. Tens of thousands of ordinary people were killed by Akbar’s army and Rajput women committed another round of mass immolation inside the fort.
Subsequently, the capital of Mewar was reestablished in Udaipur (where the royal family continues to live and has turned part of their palace into a museum). Akbar’s eldest son, Jehangir, ended up giving the fort back to the Mewars in 1616 as part of a peaceful alliance treaty. However, the terms of the treaty prevented them from undertaking repair or reconstruction work. Later, Maharana Fateh Singh added some palace structures during his reign from 1884 to 1930. However, the locals have built houses inside the fort, forming an entire village within its walls.
Location
Chittorgarh Fort spans 700 acres on a 180-meter (590-foot) high hill about two hours northeast of Udaipur, in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan. The hill and the fort are situated near the Gambhiri River, which makes the setting particularly spectacular.
How to visit Chittorgarh
The fortress is ideally visited on a day trip or excursion from Udaipur, where the nearest airport is located. The most convenient way to get there is to hire a car and driver from one of the many travel agencies in Udaipur (expect to pay around 3,500 rupees for a full day) and take National Highway 27.
Those traveling on a budget may prefer to go by train to Chittorgarh. If you don’t mind getting an early start (which is a good idea to avoid the scorching heat), the 12991 / Udaipur City – Jaipur Intercity Express leaves Udaipur at 6am and arrives in Chittorgarh at 8am Expect to pay around 200 rupees to get an auto rickshaw from the train station to the fort. Shared cars are available for less. To return to Udaipur, take the 12992 / Jaipur-Udaipur City Intercity Express back at 7.05pm . M. Alternatively, if you prefer a early afternoon out, a number of other trains to choose.
Palace on Wheels and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels luxury trains also stop at Chittorgarh.
Chittorgarh Fort is free to enter and open all the time. However, you will need to buy a ticket if you want to visit some specific monuments like the Padmini Palace (the main attraction). The cost is Rs 40 for Indians and Rs 600 for foreigners. Admission is from 9.30 am to 5 pm (last entry) every day.
The substantial size of the fort will require you to have some form of transportation to get around. If you don’t have your own car, you can rent a bike or automatic rickshaw for the day. These are available from near the ticket counter, along with tour guides. If you decide to hire a guide, be sure to negotiate and choose well. Their rates and knowledge are variable.
Allow a minimum of three to four hours to see the important monuments. They are all marked on Google Maps, which provides an easy way to navigate. Ideally, time your visit to enjoy the sunset at the fort as well.
September to March are the best months to visit the fort, as the summer heat (April to June) is quite wild, followed by the monsoon season until the end of August. Chittorgarh doesn’t get much rain, so it remains uncomfortably hot throughout the monsoon.
Make sure you have sun protection, such as a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes.
Note that there are monkeys inside the fort. They tend to behave but can be unpredictable and are therefore best avoided.
Also, the fact that the fort is freely accessible means that many locals hang out there. Women, especially foreign ones, can get unwanted attention and feel uncomfortable at times.
If you prefer to stay in Chittorgarh rather than visit it on a day trip, Chittorgarh Fort Haveli is a decent budget option found within the fort walls near Rampole Gate. Rates range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 ($ 20 to $ 34) per night for a double. The beautifully renovated Padmini Haveli Guesthhome, in the village within the fortress, is also a wonderful place to stay. Expect to pay 3,500 to 4,500 rupees per night, including breakfast.
Padmini Havel has a rooftop restaurant serving delicious Rajasthani vegetarian food. It is a refreshing place to end the day or have lunch.
What to see
Entering the fort is an experience in itself, as you will pass through seven huge fortified stone gates called pols . The fort is undergoing restoration and renovation, and works are expected to be completed by 2020. Until then, unfortunately not everything is accessible.
The Padmini Palace, unsurprisingly, draws the largest crowd. This white, three-story building is actually a 19th century replica of what may have been the original residence of Queen Padmavati. Maharana Sajjan Singh ordered its construction in 1880. Unfortunately, much of it is in ruins. Most of the people visit it just because of the famous legend related to it. It is worth seeing more in other authentic places in the fort.
The sprawling 15th-century Rana Kumbha Palace is the fort’s largest structure and hints at how glorious his reign must have been. The evocative palace of Rana Ratan Singh II was added in the 16th century and stands secluded by a lake at the north end of the fort. Its location, away from the central area of the monument, means that it is less crowded and is a great place for photography.
The fort has two distinctive towers: the Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) erected by Rana Kumbha to mark his triumph over Mohammed Khilji of Malwa in the 15th century, and the 12th century Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame) built by a Jain merchant to exalt the first Jain tirthankara (spiritual master) Adinath.
The fort’s multitude of bodies of water, to support a vast army, are of interest. The main one is the picturesque Gaumukh Reservoir on the western side of the fort, not far from Vijay Stambha. The locals consider it sacred and it has fish that you can feed.
Chittorgarh Fort is also associated with another renowned historical figure in India, Meera Bai, a spiritual poet and a devoted follower of Lord Krishna. She married Prince Mewar Bhojraj Singh in the early 16th century. After he was killed in the war, it is said that she refused to commit sati (throw herself on her funeral pyre) and moved to Vrindavan to promote her devotion to Lord Krishna. The Meera temple near Vijay Stambha is dedicated to her. There are many other well-maintained temples to see, including some magnificent intricately carved Jain temples.
The place where the royal cremations took place, known as Maha Sati , is a grassy ground below Vijay Stambha. It is apparently where the royal Rajput women blew themselves up as well. Rajput women hold an annual Jauhar Mela procession inside the fort in February to commemorate the bravery of their ancestors who chose this death before dishonor.
If you want to hear stories about the history of the fort and the characters involved in it, you may want to stay behind for the afternoon sound and light show at the fort.
What else to do nearby
There is enough to do in the area to occupy a full day. If you want to go shopping, avoid buying anything inside the Chittorgarh fort (you will pay too much and / or get poor quality products). Instead, drag the markets in the city of Chittorgarh. The most popular are Sadar Bazaar, Rana Sanga Market, Fort Road Market, and Gandhi Chowk. You will find a variety of products including metalwork, textiles, miniature paintings, traditional Thewa jewelry, leather shoes, puppets and handmade toys. Akola’s patterned fabrics, made from vegetable dyes, are a specialty of the region.
Nagri, about 25 minutes northeast of Chittorgarh along the Bairach River, was an important ancient city known as Madhyamika. Excavations have found there coins marked with perforations believed to date from the 6th century BC. The oldest Vishnu temple in Rajasthan, from the 2nd century BC. C., was also discovered in Nagri. The city flourished during the Mauyan and Gupta periods, and remained an important religious center until the 7th century. It is now in ruins, although ancient coins apparently still appear.
There is more to see in the village of Bassi, about 15 minutes beyond Nagri. Crafts like sculpture, pottery, and woodwork are the highlights. Other attractions are temples, wells and cenotaphs.
If you travel by road from Udaipur to Chittorgarh, you can visit the Sanwariyaji temple dedicated to Lord Krishna on the road about 50 minutes from Chittorgarh. It was recently rebuilt grandly and it looks captivating.
