Chittorgarh (also
Chittor,
Chittaur, or
Chittaurgarh) is a
city and a
municipality in Rajasthan
state of western India
.
It lies on
the Berach
River
, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of
Chittorgharh District and a
former capital of the Sisodia clans of
Chattari Rajputs of
Mewar.
Fiercely independent, the fort of Chittor was under siege thrice
and each time they fought bravely and thrice
Jauhar was committed by the ladies and children,
first lead by
Rani Padmini, and later
by
Rani Karnavati .
Chittorgarh is home to
the Chittorgarh
Fort
the largest fort in India.
History
The
ancient inscriptions in the Pali Buddhist character have been
discovered in various parts of Rajasthan of the race of Taxak or
Tak, relating to the tribe Mori and Parmara are their
descendants. Taxak Mori was the lord of Chittor
from very
early period.
The Huna
Kingdom of Sialkot
(of Mihir
Kula 515-540 AD), destroyed by Yashodharman, was subsequently seized by a new
dynasty of kshatriyas called Tak or Taxaka. The Taxak Mori as being lords of Chittor from very
early period and few generations after the Guhilots supplanted the Moris. From 725 to 735, there were numerous
defenders who appear to have considered the cause of Chittor their own
the Tak from Asirgarh
. This race appears to have retained
possession of Asirgarh for at least two centuries after this event as its
chieftain was one of the most conspicuous leaders in the array of
Prithvi Raj. In the poems of Chandar he is called the
"Standard, bearer, Tak of Asir."
Chittorgarh is the epitome of
Rajput (Indian
warrior caste) pride, romance and spirit for people of Chittor
always chose death before surrendering against anyone. It
reverberates with history of heroism and sacrifice that is evident
from the tales still sung by the bards of Rajasthan. Though it can
now be called a ruined citadel there is much more to this huge
fort. It is a symbol of all that was brave, true and noble in the
glorious Rajput tradition.
View of the Tower of Victory,
1927
Historically, it is considered that Chittor was built by the Maurya
dynasty in the 7th century AD. It was then named Chitrakut after
Chitrangada Mori, a Rajput
chieftain as inscribed on ancient Mewari coins. The fort is
surrounded by a circular wall which has seven huge gates before one
can enter inside the main fort area. Some accounts say that the
Mori dynasty was in possession of the fort when
Bappa Rawal the founder of the kingdom
of
Mewar seized
Chittor garh (Chittor
fort) and made it his capital in 734 AD. While some other
accounts say Bappa Rawal received it as a part of the dowry after
marriage with the last Solanki princess. After that date his
descendants ruled Mewar, which stretched from Gujarat to Ajmer,
until the 16th century. Chittor was one of the most contested seats
of power in India with probably some of the most glorious battles
being fought over its possession. It is famous in the annals of the
Mewar Dynasty as its first capital (prior to this, the Guhilots,
forerunners of the Mewar Dynasty, ruled from Idar, Bhomat, and
Nagda), and renowned in India's long struggle for freedom. By
tradition, it remained the Mewar capital for 834 years. With only
brief interruptions, the fort has always remained in possession of
the Sisodias of the Guhilot (or Gehlot/Guhila) clan of
Rajputs, who descended from Bappa Rawal.
The first attack was by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 AD, who was
enamoured by the beauty of Padmini of which he had only heard. Rani
Padmini preferred death to abduction and dishonour and committed
jauhar (an act of self immolation by leaping into a large fire)
along with all the other ladies of the fort. All the men left the
fort in saffron robes to fight the enemy unto death. Chittorgarh
was captured in 1303 AD by
Ala ud din
Khilji,
Sultan of Delhi who led
a huge army. Elderly people then had the responsibility to raise
the children. It was recaptured in 1326 by the young
Hammir Singh, a scion of the same Gehlot
clan. The dynasty (and clan) fathered by him came to be known by
the name
Sisodia after the village where he
was born.
By the 16th century, Mewar had become the leading Rajput state.
Rana Sanga of Mewar led the combined
Rajput forces against the
Mughal
emperor
Babur in 1527, but was defeated at the
Battle of Khanua. Later in 1535
Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat besieged the fort causing
immense carnage. It is said that again just like in the case of
Jauhar led by Padmini in 1303, all 32,000 men then living in the
fort donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out to face
certain death in the war, and their women folk committed Jauhar led
by Rani Karnawati. The ultimate sacrifice for freedom, Jauhar was
again performed for the third time after the Mughal Emperor
Akbar captured Chittorgarh in 1568.
The
capital was moved west to Udaipur
, in the foothills of the Aravalli Range, where
Rana Udai Singh II (the young
heir apparent) had established a residence in 1559. Udaipur
remained the capital of
Mewar until it acceded
unto the
union of India in 1947, and
Chittorgarh gradually lost its political importance.
Chittorgarh is also famous for its association with two very widely
known historical figures of India. The first is,
Meera Bai the most famous female Hindu spiritual
poetess whose compositions are still popular throughout North
India. Her poems follow the
Bhakti tradition
and she is considered to be most passionate worshipper of lord
Krishna. Folklore says that her love for
Krishna was epitomized by her final disappearance in the temple of
Krishna in Dwarka. She is believed to have entered the sanctum of
the temple in a state of singing ecstasy after which the sanctum
doors are believed to have closed on their own and when later
opened, the sari of Mirabai was seen enwrapped around the idol of
Lord Krishna, symbolizing the culmination of her union with her
Lord.
The second equally famous person is
Maharana Pratap, son of
Rana Udai Singh II who is regarded as a
personification of the values
Rajputs
cherish and die for. He took an oath to spend his life living in
the jungles and fighting until he could realize his dream of
reconquering Chittorgarh from Akbar (and thus reclaiming the glory
of Mewar). It was the dream greatly cherished by Maharana Pratap,
and he spent all his life to achieve this goal. He underwent
hardships and a life of eating breads made of grass while fighting
his lifelong battle. Maharana Pratap is the greatest hero in the
eyes of the Raputs of Mewar. In the absolute dark era of Rajput
history, Maharana Pratap alone stood firmly for his honour and
dignity, never compromising his honour for safety. With the
reputation of a brave man with great character even among his
enemies, he died free in 1597.
Chittorgarh remains replete with historic associations and holds a
very special place in the hearts of
Rajputs,
as it was a bastion of the clan at a time when every other
stronghold had succumbed to invasion. It is often called as the
"
Bhakti aur
Shakti ki
nagari" (land of devotion and strength). The fort and the city of
Chittorgarh also hosts the biggest
Rajput
festival "Jauhar Mela". It takes place annually on the anniversary
of one of the
jauhars, not the one by Padmini
which is most famous. This festival is to commemorate the bravery
of Rajput ancestors and all three Jauhars which happened at
Chittorgarh. A huge number of Rajputs which include the descendants
of most of the princely families do a procession to celebrate the
Jauhar. The fort at Chittorgarh also contains the ancient and
beautiful temple to Goddess Kali called the
Kalika Mata
Temple.
Geography
Chittaurgarh is located at . It has an average elevation of
394 metres (1292 feet).
Demographics
India census, Chittaurgarh had a population of 96,028. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Chittaurgarh has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 78% and female literacy of 61%. 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Transport
The
completed Golden Quadrilateral
highway system will pass through Chittorgarh, connecting it to much
of the rest of India. Also
crossing the East West Corridor (Express Highway). The Chittorgarh
is situated at National Highway No. 76 & 79, both the Highways
are crossing at Chittorgarh
Places to Interest
Chittorgarh Fort
The
Chittorgarh
Fort seated on a 180 metre hill, covers an expanse of
700 acres. It was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th
century AD. There is also a belief that it was constructed by Bhima
of the Pancha Pandavas. This fort was the citadel of many great
Rajput warriors such as Rana Kumbha, Maharana Pratap, Jaimal,
Patta, etc.
Kalika Mata Temple
Kalika Mata
Temple was originally built in the 8th century for Sun God and
was later converted to a temple for mother Goddess, Kali in the
14th century.
Vijay Stambh
Vijay Stambha, is a huge nine storey
tower which was built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory
over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. The tower is
122 ft high and stands on a 10 ft high base. There are sculptures
and carvings on the exterior walls of the tower. The tower is
visible from any section of the town below. And from the tower top
after climbing 157 steps, there is a great view of the
surroundings. The inside walls of the tower are carved with images
of Gods, weapons, etc.
Kirti Stambh
Kirti Stambh is tower is dedicated to
Adinatha, the first of
the
Jain Tirthankar.
It was built by a merchant and is decorated with figures form the
Jain pantheon.
Rana Kumbha's Palace
Rana Kumbha's Palace is near the Vijay Stambh.
This is the
birthplace of Maharana Udai
Singh the founder of Udaipur
. His
life was saved by the heroic act of the maid Panna Dhay, who
replaced her son in place of the prince & consequently her son
was killed by Banbir. She carried the prince away to safety in a
fruit basket. Rani Meera Bai also lived in this palace. This is the
place where Rani Padmini committed jauhar with the other ladies in
one of the underground cellars.
Rani Padmini's Palace
Rani Padmini's Palace is from which Alauddin was allowed to watch a
reflection of the Rani.
Excursions
- Nagari
- Baroli
- Bassi Village
- Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Begun Fort
- Sanwariaji temple
- Mati Kundiya temple
- Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bijaipur
- Sitamata Sanctuary, Dhariyavad
- Menal
- Gotmeshwar
- Joganiya Mata
- Kailger Mahadave
- Bari Sadri
- Radha Kirshan Temple
- Shree Sanwaliyaji Temple
- Bharat in Chittorgarh
See also
References
External links
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