The small town of Chittorgarh like all other towns in India has varied culture and customs, languages which baroquely furnished the society of India. Being born in India, in Jain society, now cajoled to the scheduled caste, sympathy, patriotism, competitiveness (competition) is fully loaded in our bloods. Every drop, every second it reminds us of ‘great Mahatma’, King Rules, Freedom fighter, Legendary actor Amitab Bacchan, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, business tycoons Tata’s, Ambani’s, Mughals, Naxalities, MNS, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Azad, and recently ‘CHANDRAYAN’-Discovery of water on moon, which stimulates us to move ahead and win ourselves.

Chittorgarh is a story place of great Rajputs, beautiful Rani Padmani, Great love of Meera Bai, Forts and places and the fight with Mughals makes it a complete Indian movie story. I will try to re-collect the stories of my grand-father, who is still with us, which we listen while walking to a public park.

Little history:

1) 644 A.D.: Chinese Pilgrim Hiuen Tsung who visited Kapisa in 644A.D. describes Kapisa Kingdom was ruled by Buddhhist in almost 5 surrounding districts today known as Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Tonk and Jodhpur.

2) 700 A.D.: Mewar and Marwar were two powerful Rajput Kingdoms in Rajputana, until kingdoms divided in Rajputana until 20^th century. The Mewar region now corresponds to Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Bhilwara, while, Chittorgarh was Mewar’s capital, ruled by ‘Ranas’, later they shifted to Udaipur in 1567A.D. when Uday Singh was the ruler. The Chittorgarh castle was formed in 728A.D, which is 152m above the surrounding valley and it crowns a flat narrow summit of a hill. The walls stretching along the edge of the hill are in a continuation of its steep slopes. The lower parts of walls are of rocks faced by stones.

3) 734 A.D.: It has a controversy story as who was the ruler. Some says Mori Dynasty was in possession of the fort. When Bappa Rawal, the founder of Mewar Kingdom, seized Chittorgarh and made his capital in 734A.D. While some says Bappa Rawal received it as a part of the dowry after marriage with Solanki Princess. Chittorgarh served as Mewar’s capital for 834 years.

The main battle arose out with the Mughals. Back in 14^th century – 1303 A.D., Alaudddin Khilji attacked Chittorgarh after being bowelled over by beauty of Rani Padmani, wife of the then King Maharaja Ratan Singh. To win the Rani, he attacked the Chittorgarh Fort, but the valiant Rajputs fought back fiercely to death and Rani Folks committed ‘Jauhar’ (self-immolation) by leaping into a large fire.

Later in 1533A.D. there came a second battle from Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and this time Rani Karnavati led Jauhar. This was seemed as a downside for the Rajputs. Again in 1567, Mughal emperor led by Akbar invaded Chittorgarh, Son of Rani Karnavati, Udai Singh preferred discretion of valour, and he fled to Udaipur. He left two 16 year young champs named Jaimull and Kulla. Akbar razed the fort to rubble. Chittorgarh was never inhabited again but it is always asserted the heroic spirits of Rajput warriors.

Fort covers an area of seven mile covering 700 acres of land with it fortification places, temples & towers. It has seven gates. Between seven and third gate, you will see two ‘chaitris’ Cenotaphs built in honour of Jaimull and Kulla. The fortress of Chittorgarh epitomizes the romance and chivalry of the Rajput tradition.

Kirti stambh is a seven storied structure having stairway with 54 steps. It is approx 30fit at the base and narrow down to 15 feet’s at the top. Built in 12^th century and dedicated to first Jain Thirthankar Adinath and has 5ft structure of the saint.

Vijay stambh built in 1440 A.D. by Maharana Kumbha to celebrate his victory over Mohammad Khilji. Tower stands at a height of 122 ft. And is 30ft wide at the base. It is 9 storied with 157 circular stairways.

It is believed that 32000 men drowned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out to face certain death. The women folks committed Jauhar led by Rani Karnawati. In 1616A.D. The mughal emperor Jahangir restored the fort to the Rajput but it was re-settled.

District of Chittorgarh is of 10,856 Km area of land. It has hills of Aravali Ranges scattered over the entire region. Four major rivers run through the district namely Chambal, Banas, Beduch and Jakaharn along with tributaries such as Gambhari, Barhmani and Gunjali.

Chittorgarh is the epitome of Rajput (Indian Warrior Caste) pride, romance and spirit for people of Chittorgarh chose death before surrendering against anyone.

Chittorgarh was built by Maurya dynasty in the 7^th century A.D. It was then named as Chitrakut.

Maharana Pratap Singh, son of Rana Udai Singh II took an oath to spend his life living in jungles and fighting until he re-conquers Chittorgarh from Akbar. He underwent hardships and a life of eating breads made of grass while fighting the lifelong battle. He died free in 1597.