Chittorgarh Fort, Medieval fortress in Chittorgarh, India
Chittorgarh Fort is a medieval fortress in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India, standing atop a hill that rises above the surrounding plains. The complex includes palaces, towers, temples, and reservoirs spread across a walled area that can take several hours to explore on foot.
The fortress began as a stronghold for local rulers in the early medieval period and later became the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. It witnessed several prolonged battles that ended with mass evacuations of its defenders before passing into British control in the nineteenth century.
Local bards still sing of the three great sieges, and the jauhar led by Rani Padmini in 1303 and by Rani Karnavati on 8 March 1534 are remembered in these songs. The fort's name comes from Chitrakut, after its builder Chitrangada Mori.
Access follows a winding road through seven gates that climb to the top, with each section offering a different view of the surrounding landscape. Comfortable shoes are helpful since the site is large and partly uneven, and bringing water is wise on hot days.
Families still live within the walls today, occupying houses among old temples and ruins and farming fields inside the boundaries. These permanent residents give the site a living dimension that many other historic places lack.
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