Chittor 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 'chhatris'. Alauddin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in 1303 AD, overpowered by a passionate desire to possess the regal beauty, queen Padmini. Legend has that he saw her face in the reflection of a mirror and was struck by her mesmerising beauty. But the noble queen preferred death to dishonour and committed 'Jauhar'. In 1533 AD during the rule of Sikramjeet, came the second attack from Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. Once again, Jauhar was led by Rani Karnvati, 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 1567AD 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 peformed. Immediately thereafter, Akbar razed the Fort to a rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors. Getting There
Airways:Nearest airport is Maharana Pratap in Udaipur, located at a distance of 112 kms from Chittorgarh.
Railways:Nearest railway station is Chittorgarh railway station and has rail links with Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kota and Delhi.
Roadways:Chittorgarh is well connected to Ajmer, Bundi, Kota and Udaipur by bus. Facts about
STD Code:01472
Area:6.5 sq. km
Best Season:October to March
Language: Hindi, Rajasthani and Marwari Exploring Chittor
Chittorgarh Fort ,Vijay Stambh ,Kirti Stambh ,Government Museum, Fateh Prakash Museum, Temple and Kumbha Shyam Temple and Archaeological Museum etc. |
