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Chittorgarh Fort

The Magnificent Chittorgarh Fort located 175 kms. east of Udaipur is dedicated
to Chitrangad Maurya Bappa Rawal who was the founder of the Sisodia dynasty.
The fort is spread over 700 acres and houses regal palaces, temples and
towers. This fort is rated as the foremost in embattlement tactics and is
among the most impregnable forts ever built by the Rajputs.
The Chittorgarh Fort rises like a mirage from the adjoining plains underneath
and stands like a sentinel at a height of 180 meters. One has to cross several
gates to reach Rampal which is the entry point to this impregnable fort.
Legend has it that when Mughal emperor Akbar laid seize to the fort, two
great Rajput warriors - Jaimull and Kulla fought till the last breath of
their lives and in memory of the brave sons of the soil, two exquisite cenotaphs
have been built within the ramparts.
The Fort has several Majestic Palaces, each one more beautiful than the
other. For instance the Rana Kumbha Palace, the Fateh Prakash Palace, Rani
Padmini's Palace to name just a few of the palaces that are housed inside
the fort all exemplify with the saga of gallantry, courage and heroism of
the redoubtable Rajputs.
The fort's piece de resistance from a purely touristy point of view are
the two magnificent towers - Kirti Stambh and the Vijay Stambh. Apart
from the towers, there are numerous palaces, temples and tanks which were
built during the period from 9th to 17th century. The huge reservoir is
believed to have been used by princess Padmini for bathing prior to her
self-immolation in honor of her husband. There is also the Gaumukh which
is made of rocks and shaped very much like a cow's mouth from where water
gushes out.
The Vijay Stambh in particular is amazing and is built on a pedestal
which is all of 10ft high. From the base, Vijay Stambh is 122 ft in height
and 30 ft wide. This colossal tower is nine storied and one has to climb
157 circular flight of steps to reach the top from where one can enjoy
the incredible vistas of the city of Jodhpur.
History points out that Chittorgarh Fort was captured thrice. The first
annexation was by Ala-ud-din-Khilji. The second was by Sultan Bahadur
Shah and the last attack and subsequent annexation of Chittorgarh Fort
was by Mughal emperor Akbar who completely demolished the fort and reduced
it into wreckage.
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