Home » Rajasthan City Guide » Chittorgarh City Guide
The
most romantic name in Rajasthan is Chittorgarhr. Chittorgarh was founded by
Bappa Rawal in 8th century and is situated at an altitude of 408 mts above
sea level. The climate in Chittorgarh is very pleasant. In Summers it is
about 23.8° Celsius and in winters it is about 11.6° Celsius. So, the
best season to visit Chittorgarh is from September to March. Chittorgarh
is known for its massive fort which is 3 miles long and 495 feet high and
also for Vijaystambha and Kirtistambha (Tower of Victory). Mirabai, 16th
century poet and Rani Padmini belongs to Chittorgarh. Rajasthani, Hindi
and English are the languages which are spoken in Chittorgarh.
The Pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittaur echoes with the tales of romance and valour unique to the Rajput tradition. A ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chhatries. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was 'Jauhar'-when women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards a certain depth. Alauddin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in 1303 A.D. overpowered by a passionate desire to possess the regal beauty queen Padmini. Legend has it, that he saw her face in the reflection of a mirror and was struck by her mesmerizing beauty. But the noble queen preferred death to dishonor and committed 'Jauhar'. In 1533 A.D., during the rule of Bikramjeet, came the second attack from Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujrat. Once again Jauhar was led by Rani Karmavati, a Bundi princess. Her infant son, Udai Singh was smuggled out of Chittaur to Bundi who survived to inherit the throne of the citadel. He learnt from his traumatic childhood that discretion is preferred to valour. So in, 1567 A.D. when the Mughal Emperor invaded Chittaur, Udai Singh fled to establish a new Capital, Udaipur-a Beautiful lake city, leaving behind Chittaur to be defended by two 16 year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and patta of Kelwa. These young men displayed true Rajput chivalry and died after 'Jauhar' was performed. Immediately thereafter Akbar razed the fort to a rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors.
Chittorgarh is more than a ruined citadel. it is a symbol. It stands for all that was brave, true and noble in the Rajput tradition. Chittaur was sacked three times, and on each occasion the rite of Jauhar was performed. The first was in 1303 when Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi coveted the famous Rajput beauty Rani Padmini whose face he had seen reflecting on a mirror. Padmini led the Jauhar rather than submit to dishonour. The second was in 1533 when the Sultan of Gujarat attacked Bikramjeet of Chittaur.
Rani Karnavati, a Bundi Princess, take the jauhar in which many women and children perished. Her own infant son, Udai Singh, was smuggled out of Bundi to preserve the line. Udai Singh returned as a child to Chittaur and he lived to inherit the throne of Chittaur. But his traumatic childhood had taught him that discretion was certainly to be preferred to valour, so when in 1567, Mughal Emperor Akbar besieged Chittaur, Udai Singh escaped leaving its defense to two sixteen year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and Patta of Kelwa. They died in true Rajput tradition after the jauhar had been proclaimed and Akbar, taking no chances, razed the Fort to rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors. Udai Singh built his new capital in Udaipur.
‡ Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame)
‡ Rana Kumbha's Palace
‡ Padmini's Palace
‡ Kumbha Shyam Temple
‡ Kalika Mata Temple
‡ Meerabai Temple
‡ Fateh Prakash Palace Museum
Air : Chittorgarh is connected by air through Dabok Airport, also known as Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur, and is 90 km away from the city centre.
Road : Frequent bus services are available from Chittorgarh to all major cities in the state and neighboring states.
The Pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittaur echoes with the tales of romance and valour unique to the Rajput tradition. A ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chhatries. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was 'Jauhar'-when women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards a certain depth. Alauddin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in 1303 A.D. overpowered by a passionate desire to possess the regal beauty queen Padmini. Legend has it, that he saw her face in the reflection of a mirror and was struck by her mesmerizing beauty. But the noble queen preferred death to dishonor and committed 'Jauhar'. In 1533 A.D., during the rule of Bikramjeet, came the second attack from Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujrat. Once again Jauhar was led by Rani Karmavati, a Bundi princess. Her infant son, Udai Singh was smuggled out of Chittaur to Bundi who survived to inherit the throne of the citadel. He learnt from his traumatic childhood that discretion is preferred to valour. So in, 1567 A.D. when the Mughal Emperor invaded Chittaur, Udai Singh fled to establish a new Capital, Udaipur-a Beautiful lake city, leaving behind Chittaur to be defended by two 16 year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and patta of Kelwa. These young men displayed true Rajput chivalry and died after 'Jauhar' was performed. Immediately thereafter Akbar razed the fort to a rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors.
Chittorgarh is more than a ruined citadel. it is a symbol. It stands for all that was brave, true and noble in the Rajput tradition. Chittaur was sacked three times, and on each occasion the rite of Jauhar was performed. The first was in 1303 when Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi coveted the famous Rajput beauty Rani Padmini whose face he had seen reflecting on a mirror. Padmini led the Jauhar rather than submit to dishonour. The second was in 1533 when the Sultan of Gujarat attacked Bikramjeet of Chittaur.
Rani Karnavati, a Bundi Princess, take the jauhar in which many women and children perished. Her own infant son, Udai Singh, was smuggled out of Bundi to preserve the line. Udai Singh returned as a child to Chittaur and he lived to inherit the throne of Chittaur. But his traumatic childhood had taught him that discretion was certainly to be preferred to valour, so when in 1567, Mughal Emperor Akbar besieged Chittaur, Udai Singh escaped leaving its defense to two sixteen year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and Patta of Kelwa. They died in true Rajput tradition after the jauhar had been proclaimed and Akbar, taking no chances, razed the Fort to rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors. Udai Singh built his new capital in Udaipur.
Tourist Attraction
‡ Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower)‡ Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame)
‡ Rana Kumbha's Palace
‡ Padmini's Palace
‡ Kumbha Shyam Temple
‡ Kalika Mata Temple
‡ Meerabai Temple
‡ Fateh Prakash Palace Museum
How To Reach
Train : Chittorgarh railway station is well connected to all major cities in India including Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Delhi.Air : Chittorgarh is connected by air through Dabok Airport, also known as Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur, and is 90 km away from the city centre.
Road : Frequent bus services are available from Chittorgarh to all major cities in the state and neighboring states.