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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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