India 15 - Rajasthan (Chapter)

(Marcin) #1

Rajasthan


SOUTHERN


R AJASTHAN


Rajasthan


Si GHTS


Rajasthan


CH iTTORGARH (CH


iTTOR)


place in the hearts of many Rajputs. Three
times (in 1303, 1535 and 1568) Chittorgarh
was under attack from a more powerful
enemy; each time, its people chose death
before dishonour, performing jauhar. The
men donned saffron martyrs’ robes and
rode out from the fort to certain death,
while the women and children immolated
themselves on huge funeral pyres. After the
last of the three sackings, Rana Udai Singh
II fled to Udaipur, where he established a
new capital for Mewar. In 1616, Jehangir
returned Chittor to the Rajputs. There was
no attempt at resettlement, though it was
restored in 1905.

1 ̈Sights

Chittorgarh ̈Fort ̈ FORT
(indian/foreigner ₹5/100, sound & light show in-
dian/foreigner ₹75/200; hsunrise-sunset, Sound
& light Show sunset) A zigzag ascent of more
than 1km starts at Padal ̈ Pol and leads

through six outer gateways to the main gate
on the western side, Ram ̈Pol (the former
back entrance). Inside Ram Pol is a still-
occupied village that takes up a small north-
western part of the fort. You can enter the
fort here, via the village, without having to
pass the ticket office at the official entrance.
To get to the ticket office, though, turn right
after Ram Pol. The rest of the plateau is de-
serted except for the wonderful palaces, tow-
ers and temples that remain from its heyday,
with the addition of a few more recent tem-
ples. A loop road runs around the plateau,
which has a deer park at the southern end.
̈ ̈Rana ̈Kumbha ̈Palace
Past the ticket office, you arrive almost im-
mediately at this ruined palace group, which
takes its name from the 15th-century ruler
who renovated and added to earlier palaces
on this site. The complex includes elephant
and horse stables and a Shiva temple. Across
from the palace is the Sringar ̈Chowri ̈Tem-

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Surajpol

Old
Town

Bhimlat
Tank

Gaumukh
Reservoir

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am
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er

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Collectorate
Circle

Fort
Rd

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ilw

ar

a
Rd

BundiRd CityRoad

Train
Station

SBI

SBBJ

Mahavir
CyberCafe
Bus
Stand

RamPol

BadiPol

Padal
Pol

Ticket
Office

Tourist
Reception
Centre

BhaksiChogan

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A D

D

Chittorgarh(Chittor)
0 500 m
e# 0 0 .25miles

D


Bassi
(25km)
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