{"id":29561,"date":"2018-08-18T09:33:41","date_gmt":"2018-08-18T07:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/no-problem-mam.com\/?p=29561"},"modified":"2020-05-22T12:25:32","modified_gmt":"2020-05-22T10:25:32","slug":"chittorgarh-rajasthan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magikindia.com\/en\/chittorgarh-rajasthan\/","title":{"rendered":"Chittorgarh, city of courage and devotion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The story of Chittorgarh (or Chittor) fort is steeped in heroism and the pride of the Rajputs. It stands as a symbol of courage and sacrifice. This “city of strength and devotion” as it is sometimes called fits that description well : Chittor has known many battles but the echo of the poetess Meerabai’s songs of divine love can still be heard.<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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View of the Gaumukh pond and several buildings of Chittor | Photo: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, This 3ha fortified city, rising to 180m, was constructed by the Mauryans<\/a><\/strong> in the 7th century AD and was then the possession of a Rajput clan, the Guhilas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three major battles took place here, and each time the inhabitants chose to sacrifice themselves rather than fall into the hands of the enemy. The women and children threw themselves into sacrificial fires (jauhar) while the men faced the enemy clad only in simple robes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Map of the fort of Chittorgarh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the last battle, in 1568 against the Mughal emperor Akbar, the capital was moved to Udaipur and Chittorgarh lost its political importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a more romantic vein, Chittor is also associated with the Hindu poetess Meerabai, famous for her songs and poems of devotion to Lord Krishna<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> There is a temple dedicated to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And now, let’s visit Chittorgarh<\/strong> !<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rana Kumbha Palace<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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\"Chittorgarh<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rana Kumbha’s palace is generally the first building of the fort to be visited. Largely in ruins, this 15th century palace retains great historical importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the palace of the Rajput Rana Kumbha, one of the most famous sovereigns of the kingdom of Mewar from 1433 to 1468 CE. He extended the borders of Mewar to present-day Madhya Pradesh and he is also credited with building 32 forts, including that of Kumbalgarh,<\/a> <\/strong>which has the second largest wall in the world after China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chittorgarh<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1522, the palace witnessed the birth of another important figure from Rajasthan, the Maharana Udai Singh II,<\/strong> who founded the city of Udaipur <\/a><\/strong>when Akbar seized Chittorgarh on February 25, 1568, after a long siege.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the darkest history of the palace, it will be remembered that it is here, in underground cellars, that the Maharani Padmini and his court did Jauhar<\/strong>, to avoid being dishonoured by the Sultan of Delhi and his troops (see full story below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vijay Stambh, the victory tower of Chittorgarh<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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On the right, the Vijay Stambha, a nine-story ‘victory tower’,<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Not far from the palace is the Vijay Stambha, a nine-story ‘victory tower’ built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 37-meter building is carved with different Hindu and jain deities. Braver visitors can climb to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Samadhisvara temple<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Details at the entrance to the temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next to the Vijay Stambh is the Samadhisvara temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built by Bhoja Paramara in the 11th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some fine carvings on the outside but the most astonishing element is the altar with its huge three-headed Shiva<\/strong> idol wearing ‘jata-mukutas’ or dreadlock crowns in the style of sadhus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The three-headed Shiva<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The head on the right presents the ‘aghora’ aspect of shiva with a fierce expression, while the faces in the center and on the left display a peaceful one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Gaumukh pond at the bottom of the Samadhisvara temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South of the Samadhisvara temple, a staircase leads to Gaumukh kund<\/strong>, a reservoir which has the shape of a cow’s head and whose water comes from a crack in the rock. The Rani Bindar tunnel <\/strong>near this reservoir leads to the underground chamber, where, according to legend, Rani Padmini did jauhar with the ladies of the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Padmini palace<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The simple architecture of the Palace of Padmini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Palace of Padmini is rather simple in appearance with several gardens, courtyards and pavilions in the Rajput and Persian style. It is best known for his legendary history linked to Queen Padmini. It is said that this is where Allah-ud-din Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, fell in love with Padmini when he saw her in the reflection of a mirror (see story below). To recreate this moment, a mirror has been placed in the hall of the palace where the event would have occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Padmini’s mirror<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What catches the eye here is the ‘Jal Mahal’<\/strong> (water palace) erected in the center of a pond surrounding the Palace of Padmini. This building, which from a distance resembles the castles of the Loire, is one of the very first examples in India of a palace surrounded by water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The palace on the water<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

[Excerpt from the Bollywood film Padmavat, Ghoomar dance]<\/h4>\n\n\n\n