India 2014 - Chittorgarh
The fort (ghar) at Chittor, hence named Chittorgarh, is the greatest fort in Rajasthan. It was built on a rock in the middle of a plain, cliffs with a hight of more than 150m all around. The plateau is completely surrounded by a wall with two gates. Today the fort can by entered through the west gate (named Ram Pole) - the former back entrance - by a steep serpentine way, protected by six outer gates.
Since the 8th century it was in possession of the Guhilot, a Rajput clan, and seat of the Mewar Rajput dynasty until 1568 when the fort was captured by emperor Akba.
Acknowledging the waekness of the fort when it comes to a siege, Rana Udai Singh II had moved the capital of Mewar to the newly build town of Udaipur in 1559.
The fort stands as a symbol for the pride and spirit the Rajput clans are famous for, especially the people of the former Rajput state of Mewar and the inhabitants of the fort at Chittor - who in history at three occasions chose death before dishonour. 1303, 1535 and 1568 the fort was under attack by superior forces and the inhabitants of the fort chose to commit jauhar. The women and children immolated themselves on great funeral pyres and the men rode out in saffron robes for certain death in combat.
Tower of Victory
The most famous sight at Chittorgarh is the Tower of Victory (Jay Stambha). The tower is 37m high, completely carved at the outside and inside. It is possible to climb the 157 steps to the top.
Built 1458-1468 by Rana Kumbha as a memory to the victory over the sultan of Malwar it is today the landmark of Chittor.
The area just west of the tower was the place of the second jauhar which took place in 1535 caused by the siege implied on the fort by the sultan of Gujarat. More than 13000 women and children are said to have committed suicide on a huge funeral pyre.
Temple Area
There are several temples inside Chittorgarh.
One of the most famous is Meera Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and highly associated with the famous Hindu mystic poet Mira Bai, a royal in 16th century Mewar. She was also a passionate follower of Krishna and is famous for her disregard towards social and family conventions, setting her Lord Krishna above all. Her poetry is famous throughout India and in Meera Temple she is treated as a saint.
Other temples are Kumbha Shyam Temple (dedicated to Vishnu), Singar Chowri Temple (a Jain temple),
Samideshwar Temple (dedicated to Shiva).
Suraj Pole & Tower of Fame
Today visitors of Chittorgarh enter the fort by the west gate. But actually the east gate (Suraj Pole) ist the former main gate to the fort.
Near to the east gate can be found another landmark of the fort: The Tower of Fame (Kirtthi Stambha) and a small Jain temple from the 14th century next to it.
The 24m high Tower of Fame, built in 1301 by a wealthy Jain merchant, is dedicated to the first Tirthankar of the Jain. It is therefore older than the more famous Tower of Victory.
Gaumukh Reservoir, Bimlath Tank etc.
