Excursions of Udaipur
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Located 64 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh is the second
most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. Cradled in
the Aravali Ranges the fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha.
Because of its inaccessibility and hostile topography the fort had remained
un-conquered. It also served the rulers of Mewar as a refuge in times of
strife. The fort also served as refuge to the baby king Udai of Mewar. It
is also of sentimental significance as it is the birthplace of Mewar's legendary
King Maharana Partap.
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The fort is self-contained and has within its amalgam almost everything
to withstand a long siege. The fort fell only once that too to the combined
armies of Mughal and of Amber for scarcity of drinking water. Many magnificent
palaces an array of temples built by the Mauryas of which the most picturesque
place is the Badal Mahal or the palace of the clouds. The fort also offers
a superb birds view of the surroundings. The fort's thick wall stretches
some 36 kms and is wide enough to take eight horses abreast. Maharana Fateh
Singh renovated the fort in the 19th century. The fort's large compound
has very interesting ruins and the walk around it can be very rewarding.
Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. It reverberates
with history of heroism and sacrifice, which is evident as it echoes with
the tales sung by the Bards of Rajasthan. The main reason for visiting Chittorgarh
is its massive hilltop fort, which is a depiction of Rajput culture and
values. The fort stands on a 240-hectares site on an 180m high hill that
rises rapidly from the plains below.
Thrice a stronger enemy sacked Chittorgarh. The first sack occurred in 1303
when a Pathan King Ala-ud-din Khilji overwhelmed by the beauty of Queen
Padmini besieged the fort in order to capture the regal beauty. In 1535
Bahadur Shah the Sultan of Gujarat besieged the fort causing immense carnage
and it is said that 32000 men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and
rode out to face a certain death, and the women folkes committed Jauhar
(an act of self immolations by plunging in a large fire) led by Rani Karnawati.
In 1568 Mughal Emperor Akbar razed the fort to the rubble and once again
the history repeated itself. In 1616 Mughal emperor Jehangir restored
the fort to the Rajput but it was not resettled. Today a new township
sprawls below the hill on the west side. Chittorgarh is connected by both
bus and rail. The bus stand and the railway are located in the new township.
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Vacation