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You are here : Home >> Photo Gallery>>Rajasthan >> Chittorgarh

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Now Showing: States of India / Rajasthan / Chittorgarh    [Viewed 7281 times]
Chitor or ancient Chitrakuta was the capital of Mewar & the center of Rajput policy from 7th to mid 16th century A.D. The fort was built by Chitrangada Maurya after whom it is named Chitorgarh. But the Sisodia ruler Ajay Pal (1174-77 A.D.) seems to have improved the earlier fort all built by the Gohalit king in the 9th century A.D. Maharana Kumbha (1433-68 a.d.) made extensive alterations & additions. It has been a witness to the rule of several dynasties such as the Mauryas (7-8th century), Pratiharas (9th century), Paramaras (10-11th century), Solankis (12th century) followed by Guhilots or Sisodias.Stone inscription in the fort. The fort is famous for its architectural features & feats of valor of its rulers who fought for its independence. The fort is fish shaped, is situated on a 180 meter high hill ie 600 metres above sea level. It covers an area of 700 acres, had 13 temples & 84 reservoirs and a fortification wall ie 13 kms in length.The traditional entrance is from the east whose picture you see, was meant for coming on horse or by foot. There were seven gates of which only two remain. Below this entrance are fields ending with mountains. Today you drive into the fort from the western side.You see fort ka main entrance door. In earlier times elephants were used to break open the gates. Given the elephants height rulers fixed pointed steel rods at a particular height on the gate so that it would pierce elephants who tried breaking the gate.
As you drive by you see many gates ie Padan pole, Bhairav pole (restored by Maharana Fateh Singhji), Hanuman pole, Ganesh pole, Jorla pole, Laxman pole and Ram pole. There are seven poles in all. Since the Maharanas are Suryavanshis or followers of the Sun God whose chariot had seven horses so also the fort has seven gates. You see Bhairav pole restored by Maharana Fateh Singhji.You see Ram pol or gate.The road that you see in the picture is on the western side, is the one we used to reach the fort. Clicked this from the point where lies entrance to fort. Like in olden times there a number of people who reside in the fort even today.As we stood at the entrance point on western the side our guide Anil Kumar Sen got me to click this picture of Chittor town. On the left you can see a small bridge. According to Anil there was a river here earlier (Ghambira) which formed a moat, natural barrier for enemies who wanted to attack from the rear side.
We now went to Kumbha palace. It was situated on the western rear side of the fort so that escaping was easier if required. This magnificent palace provides faint glimpses of past time of glory typical domestic architecture of the Rajputs. Maharana Kumbha (1433-1468 A.D.) made several additions & alterations to the earlier palace. The palace is approached through two gateways to the east – Badi pol & Tripolia pol. These gates led into open space to the south of the palace & to Darikhana which is what you see in the picture. In the center is where the Rana sat.This point is exactly opposite the Darikhana. In the center at a height you see the place where musicians at & played music while the Rana was in the court. On the right of picture you see main apartment palace.Extreme left you see an entrance it is called Badi pol. Huge flat platform that you see in front of picture is where the Rana sat. Where exist green lawns today is there the people or praja sat. Next to Badi pol was Hathiwada where an elephant was always kept. An elephant was supposed to be a symbol of luck. Before going for any yudh (war) the Rana always took the blessings of the elephant. In the background you see Kumbhaswamini & Mira mandirs.A small doorway on the back the darikhana gives access to the main apartments – the Surya Gokhra, Zanana Mahal, Kanwar Padeka Mahal & other residential structures & open courts. Built of dressed stores, the exterior walls have decorations including sculptured bands serving as stringcourse & large flower – head roses.
Very close to the Kumbha palace is Panna Dai’s palace. The story of Panna Dai is well known. Vanavir Singh the natural son of Maharana Sangha’s eldest brother Prithviraj went to the room of prince Udai Singh to kill him so that he could ascend the throne. Before he came to kill the child Panna Dai kept her son there instead and sent off Udai Singh from the western side to Kumbalgarh.The palace is situated on the western side ie from where the entrance is today. Next to his palace was the treasury so if required he could escape with money/jewels from the backside of the fort. We clicked a picture of the treasury on the right and the jharokhas in the left. From the jharokhas the queens & princess could see the king when he returned from war. Prior to the Muslim invasion there were no separate palaces for men & women. Things changed with the Muslim invasion hence we see the construction of jharokhas where queens sat & watched the proceedings.Kumbhaswamini mandir: Originally dedicated to Varaha, this mandir was renovated by Maharana Kumbha (1433-1468 a.d.). Raised on a high plinth it comprises of a sanctum, a mandapa, a portico & an open pradakshinapati area. The sanctum appears to be original & shows bold podium moldings decorated with sculptured niches. The roof of the mandapa is in the form of a pyramid while the sanctum is crowned by a tall shikhara. The interior of mandapa is composed of 20 pillars. You see the mandir.In front of the temple is an icon of Garuda under a canaopy supported by four pillars. Originally a Sun mandir was constructed in 8<sup>th</sup> century A.D. in the time of Bappa Rawal. A Khilji destroyed it in 1303, renovated by Rana Kumbha. It was destroyed again by Akbar in 1568 a.d. Mandir stands on a chariot. A side view of the mandir.
On the south, there is a small shrine called Meera Mandir. In front of this there is a four-pillared chhatri, said to have been built in the memory of her Guru. In front is the Meera mandir, on the left of picture is the chhatri. Tower of Victory is Chittor’s most famous landmark. Read the stone inscription i.e. what you see.You see Vijaya Stambha. It was also used as a watchtower, built like a ‘Damroo’. It is 37 mtrs in height, has a girth of 30 feet at the base, is 9 storeys and has 157 steps. Rana Kumbha built it in 1440 to commemorate the victory over the combined forces of Malwa & Gujarat. It cost Rs 90 lakhs to make then.Wife Aparna & I standing in front of Vijaya Stambha. Note the intricate carvings at all levels. This was also used as a watch tower.

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[2] Comment(s) Posted
  1. Comment By - sanjay kumar chaturvedi Date - 04 Oct 2011 Time - 4:04AM

  2. this is a good and beautiful fort

  3. Comment By - Parthapratim Ray Date - 28 May 2011 Time - 11:20PM

  4. This Gallery is the best of thematic photography.I appreciate Mr Nayar`s sensitive perception of history through architecture.


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