Chittor is the most important fort in Rajasthan. Built on a tong
rugged hill and covering over 280 hectares with its fortfic, palaces,
towers & temple, it is a testament to the glory of the land,
historic, battles and valiant people who preferred death to dishonour.
With a history of grimness juxtaposed with glory, chittor
was the capital of Mewar for eight hindered years. Seven gates defend
the approach to the fort on the west while there is one gate to the
east and another to the north. Enormous ramparts distinguish it. The
13 kms of battlements enclose fortresses and palaces (kumbha Mahal an
ancient structure is impressive even in its ruins), but also temples,
bazaars and granaries with reservoirs and lakes providing the
much-needed water to sustain them.
The most dramatic
structure on the fort is Rana Kumbha vijay stambh or victory Tower
built in celebration of his the victory over the forces of the sultans
of Malwa and Gujrat. Kirti Stambh is another tower in the fort. It is
smaller and less ornate. It was built by a Jain merchant and is
dedicated to Adhinath, the first of the Jain Tirthankaras. The
structure is 23 meters in height and has seven storeys. Equally
interesting is the palace of patta, the teenage commander of the fort
after the death of Jaimal. Among the important temples in the fort is
a cluster of jain temples, temple of Vishnu, Mirabal temple, Nilkantha
Mahadev temple, the kalika Mata temple.