Although most of the temple structures are examples of typical Hindu architecture, for example, the Kalikamata Temple (8th century), the Kshemankari Temple (825-850), the Kumbha Shyam Temple (1448), there are also Jain temples such as Sattai Devari, Sringar Chauri (1448) and Set Bis Devari (mid-15th century).
Kumbha wound palace.
Jain temple at the Kirti Stambha tower.
There are also two monuments - towers, Kirti Stambha (XII century) and Vijay Stambha (1433-1468). They stand out for their height, 24 m and 37 m, respectively, so they can be clearly seen from anywhere in the territory of the fort. It is interesting that today the fort is not only a historical monument, but also a place where about 5,000 inhabitants live, and who graze their cattle here, wash clothes and plant vegetables in their gardens. In addition, there is a kingdom of monkeys that live within the walls of local temples and simply love to pester tourists who appear here. You shouldn't even try to flirt with them and stroke them. Monkeys do not like this, and unlucky tourists trying to do it and joyfully exclaiming: "Monkey, monkey!" (and especially their children!) can be seriously injured.
Here they are - the langurs of Chittorgarh.
Of course, there are different monkeys. For example, langurs, who have a completely decent character. But there are also rhesus monkeys, and it is better not to get acquainted with the differences in monkey mores through experience. You shouldn't even climb the tall grass and bushes in search of a spectacular shot. This is India, and you can easily run into a cobra here. Therefore, it is possible and necessary to walk around the territory of the fort, but it is better not to go anywhere from the stone paths.
All gates leading to the fort are massive stone structures, the doors of which are also seated with metal points to protect against elephants. In the upper part of the gate there were parapets for the shooters, and on the towers and walls there were mashikuli, directed vertically downward.
Vintage photo of Vijay Stambha.
There are two towers visible from everywhere on the territory of the fort. The first, Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) or Jaya Stambha, which is the symbol of Chittor, was erected by the wound of Kubha between 1458 and 1468 to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Shah, Sultan of Malwa, in 1440 AD. Built over ten years, it rises to a height of 37.2 meters and consists of nine floors, accessed via a narrow circular staircase of 157 steps up to the eighth floor, which offers beautiful views of the plains and the new city of Chittor. The dome, which was added later, was damaged by lightning and repaired in the 19th century.
The entire surface of the Victory Tower is a single continuous sculptural frieze.
Kirti Stambha today.
Kirti Stambha (Tower of Glory) is a 24 meter high tower adorned with Jain sculptures on the outside and is older (probably built in the 12th century) than the Victory Tower.
This tower was built by the Jain trader Jijaji Rathod, it is dedicated to Adinata, the first Jain tirtbankar (a revered teacher-enlightener in Jainism). On the lower floor of the tower, the figures of the various Tirthankars of the Jain pantheon are placed in special niches, where they can be clearly seen. A narrow staircase with 54 steps leads up six floors. The upper pavilion, which was added in the 15th century, has 12 columns.
Rani Padmini's palace.
At the entrance gate near Vijaya Stambha is the Kubha Rana Palace (in ruins), the oldest monument of the fort. The palace included an elephant, stables, and a Shiva temple. Maharana Uday Singh, the founder of Udaipur, was born here. The palace was built of plastered stone. A remarkable feature of the palace is its magnificent balconies. The entrance to the palace is through Surai Pol - the gate that leads to the courtyard. Rani Meera, the famous poet-saint, lived in this palace. It is also the same palace where the beautiful Rani Padmini performed the act of self-immolation along with the other women of the fortress in one of her underground halls. Now in front of the palace there is a museum and an archaeological office. The Singh Chori Temple is also nearby. By the way, it should be remembered that one can only enter Hindu temples with bare feet!
Reservoir Gaumukh. In the spring, it fills with water through a cow-mouth-shaped hole carved into the rock. This basin was the main source of water for the fort during its many sieges.
The wall of the Gaumukh reservoir with a view of the city below.
Well, now, since we have a military site, we will tell you in more detail about the three famous sieges of Chittorgarh. The first siege took place in 1303, when the Sultan of Delhi, Ala ad-din Halji, decided to conquer the fortress, an extraordinary ruler who, in addition to the fortress itself, wanted to get into his harem the wife of Raval Ratan Singh, who ruled at that time in Mewar, - Queen (Rani) Padmini, and for her sake (after all, "Cherche la femme"!) was not afraid to challenge this stronghold of the Rajputs, which was considered impregnable at that time.
Kirti Stambha and a Dzhan temple in front of her.
As a result, the Rajputs could not keep Chittor, and their noble ladies, led by Rani Padmini, chose to die at the stake. In revenge for not getting Padmini, Halji ordered the slaughter of thirty thousand Rajputs. He transferred the fort to his son Khizr Khan and renamed it “Khizadbad”. He also showered gifts on his sons, among which was a robe embroidered with gold, and two standards: one green and the other black, as well as rubies and emeralds.
Meera's temple from afar.
There is clearly something to see here …
And this is how he looks up close …
Khizr Khan ruled the fortress until 1311, and then seven years later the Rajputs returned Chittor by "treachery and intrigue", and he again restored his former glory. Mewar became a wealthy principality, which was now ruled by the dynasty (and clan) of Sisodia. In 1433, Rana Kubha came to power in Mewar, who built 32 forts out of 84 fortresses that protected Mewar. However, he did not die at the hands of the enemy, but was killed by his own son, who dreamed of the throne of his father. It is clear that it did not end well. Confusion and strife began, during which the brother, as always, went to his brother, and which the rulers of the Great Mughals immediately took advantage of. However, the Rajputs were doing well at first, and they were even able to expand the territory of Mewar.
But in the decisive battle against Babur on March 16, 1527, the Rajput army of Sing's wounds suffered a terrible defeat, which at once crossed out all previous victories.
Rani Padmini's palace in the middle of a pond.
Rani Padmini's palace. Painting by Marianne North.
Meanwhile, a year earlier, Bahadur Shah sat on the throne of Gujarat, and now he has laid siege to the Chittorgarh fort in 1535. And again the fort was unable to resist further, and the case ended with 13,000 Rajput women and children going to the funeral pyre and committing suicide, and 3,200 Rajput warriors remaining in the fortress left it into the field to fight and die in battle. …
Siege of Chittor in 1567. The miniature shows the shelling of the fort from guns by Akbar's army and … laying a mine-explosive gallery under its wall. Akbar-name. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The last siege of Chittorgarh took place 33 years later, in 1567, when the Mughal Emperor Akbar invaded the Rajput lands. Akbar wanted to conquer Mewar, who skillfully ruled the wound of Udai Singh II. Shakti Singh, his son, before that, in the best traditions of that time, quarreled with his father, fled from him and came to serve Akbar. He greeted him quite friendly and allowed him to be in his retinue. And then one day Akbar jokingly told Shakti Singh that since his father did not show him obedience, like other princes and leaders, he would have to punish him. Startled by this unexpected revelation, Shakti Singh immediately rushed back to Chittor and informed his father of the impending threat. Akbar was furious upon learning of Shakti Singh's departure and decided to immediately attack Mewar to subdue his ruler's arrogance. In September 1567, the emperor went to Chittor, and on October 20, 1567, he settled on the vast plains around the fort. Udai Singh, on the advice of his advisers, left Chittorgarh and moved to Udaipur. Rao Jaimal and Patta (Rajasthan), two commanders of the Mewar army, remained to defend the fort along with 8,000 Rajput warriors. Meanwhile Akbar laid siege to the fortress. Heavy siege cannons were brought up on oxen and subjected to devastating bombardment. The siege lasted until February 23, 1568. Jamal was badly wounded that day, but continued to fight alongside Patta. Realizing that the forces of the defenders were running out, Jameal gave the order for the jauhar to be executed, and then many of the beautiful princesses of Mewara and noble matrons committed self-immolation at the funeral pyre.
February 23, 1568. Jauhar in Chittor. Miniature from "Akbar-name". Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The next day, the gates of the fort were thrown wide open, and its defenders went out to the last battle with the enemies. According to one estimate, 5,000 soldiers of Sultan Akbar died in the battle with them. According to another, even more died in that bloody battle - about 30 thousand people. After that, the fort lost all significance … As you can see, if we talk about the suicides of the defenders of medieval fortresses, then … what are there several hundred fanatical Cathars from the castle of Montsegur! They are no match for the victims of Chittorgarh Castle alone!
