The fort of Chittorgarh is located in Rajasthan, India and sits atop a 180 meter hill. It is one of the largest forts in India, covering an area of 700 acres. The fort has a long history dating back to the 7th century and has witnessed significant battles against invaders. It contains several notable structures including temples, towers, reservoirs, and gates and showcases Rajput culture and values of bravery and sacrifice.

1. JAISALMER FORT
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest fortifications in the world. It is situated in the city
of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state ofRajasthan. It is a World Heritage Site. It was built in 1156 AD by
the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom it derives its name. (Rawal Jaisal's son was Shalivahan
II; Manj and Bhati Rajputs are descended from him.) The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse
of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill, and has been the scene of many battles. Its massive
yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun
sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason, it is also known as
the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort.[1] The fort is located in the very heart of the city, and is one of
the most notable monuments in the locality.[2]
The fort is 1,500 ft (460 m) long and 750 ft (230 m) wide and is built on a hill that raises
above a height of 250 ft (76 m) above the surrounding country side. The basement of the
fort has a 15 ft (4.6 m) tall wall forming a double line of defence. The bastions of the fort
forms a chain about 30 ft (9.1 m). The fort has four entrances to the townside, one of which
used to be guarded by cannon.[3
Architecture

2. •Raj Mahal (Royal palace)
•Laxminath temple
•4 massive gateways
•Merchant Havelis.
These are large houses often built by wealthy merchants in Rajasthani towns and cities in North
India, with ornate sandstone carvings. Some havelis are many hundreds of years old.
In Jaisalmer there are many elaborate havelis carved from yellow sandstone. Some of these
have many floors and countless rooms, with decorated windows, archways, doors and balconies.
Some havelis are today museums but most in Jaisalmer are still lived in by the families that built
them. Among these is the Vyas haveli which was built in the 15th century, which is still occupied
by the descendants of the original builders. Another example is the Shree Nath Palace which
was once inhabited by the prime minister of Jaisalmer. Some of the doors and ceilings are
notable examples of old carved wood from many hundreds of years ago.
The fort has an ingenious drainage system called the ghut nali which allows for the easy
drainage of rainwater away from the fort in all four directions of the fort. Over the years,
haphazard construction activities and building of new roads has greatly reduced its
effectiveness

4. Jahaz Mahal (in Urdu Language ‘Jahaz’ means “Ship” and ‘Mahal’ means “Palace”, the “Ship
Palace”), is located next to Hauz-i-Shamsi in Mehrauli, Delhi on its northeastern corner. It was so
named, since its reflection (illusion) in the surrounding reservoir looked like a ship floating on a
lake. It is inferred to have been built during the Lodi dynasty period (1452–1526) as a
pleasure resort,Sarai or an inn.[1][2]
One reason for building the Jahaz Mahal retreat was to provide transit accommodation
as aSarai or (inn) to the large number of pilgrims
from Afghanistan, Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Morocco andTurkey who came to Delhi to visit the
many Muslim shrines. Another version is that it was built as a retreat for the
emperors, Akbar Shah II and Bahadur Shah II and their families, during the summer
months, away from the heat and dust of Delhi.[3] Its construction is dated between 1451
AD and 1526 AD, before Babar's invasion and the beginning of Mughal rule in Delhi.[3][4]
The palace is approached from the eastern side. A courtyard, originally in a rectangular
shape now seen in ‘U’ shape, is in the center of the palace. The palace has carved
impressive square chhatris (six of them with different numbers of pillars – six, eight and
twelve) or towers in the corners and the centre, ornamented with beautiful squinches in
different chambers and walls (pictures in the gallery). The domed pavilion over the
central gate is decorated with blue tiles. A small mosque is also located within the
palace, as discerned from a mihrab in a niche on the west wall.[3][5]
Structure
MANDU

6. Chittorgarh, also called Chittaur, from the 7th century to the 16th, was the
capital of Mewar under the Rajputs. Chittaur evokes memories of great heroism
and sacrifice by Rajput men and women in the intermittent battles that they had
to fight against invaders from Northwest or Delhi. Chittaur witnessed both the
ravages of war and the triumphs of the spirit. Allaudin Khilji who coveted Queen
Padmini of Chittaur, invaded the city in 1303 A.D. Queen Padmini and the
women of the court sacrificed themselves in a pyre of fire rather than submit to
anybody. This supreme sacrifice has been called 'Jauhar' and epitomises the fiery
spirit of the Rajputs of the day. The city stands strewn with monuments and
battlements as evidence of the blood and gore that it went through in medieval
times.
The Chittaur Fort is the best known fort in Rajasthan. Its origins are traced to the
Pandavas of Mahabharata. It is said that Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, built the
fort. Standing on 180 meters high hill, the fort covers an area of 700 Acres. Inside it is the
Meera and Khumba Shyam Temple. It is associated with Meera, a mystic poetess devoted
to Lord Krishna whose life and bhajans have become part of the folklore and literary
traditions of the region and several parts of India.
CHITTORGARH

7. Fort Of Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh (Chittaurgarh) is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. It reverberates with history of
heroism and sacrifice, which is evident as it echoes with the tales sung by the Bards of Rajasthan. The main
reason for visiting Chittorgarh is its massive hilltop fort, which is a depiction of Rajput culture and values.
The fort of Chittor is regarded as one of the most outstanding forts of the country and is indeed the "Pride of
Rajasthan State". The formidable fort is perched atop a 180 meter high hillock covering a massive area of
700 acres and is a standing sentinel to the courage and valour of Chittorgarh. It is belived that the fort was
build by the Mauryans in 7th century and further strucres were added to it by the successive Mewar rulers.
The one mile long serpentine road to the fort is quite steep and exhastive. The fort is approached through
seven huge gateways or 'pols', which are guarded by watch tower and massive iron spiked doors.

8. Water Fort :
Chittorgarh fort is also called as Water Fort. The fort had 84 water bodies, out of which
only about 22 exist today. These Include talabs (ponds), kunds (wells), and baories
(stepwells). All the talabs have a natural catchment. The kunds and baories are located
below the talabs, so that even the seepage from the latter is not lost.
The fort spreads over 700 hectares, 40 per cent of which are given over to water bodies.
The average reservoir depth is about 2 m. Taken together, this means these reservoirs
can store about 4 billion litres of water.
In a year of more than normal rainfall (average annual rainfall: 700 mm), enough water
would be stored to last the next 12 months. Even after water loss due to seepage and
evaporation and other causes, an army of 50,000 could live in the fort for four years
without fear of thirst.

9. Tower of Victory - (Vijay Stambh)
Built in 1440 AD by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Mohamed Khilji this 9-
storyed tower is adorned by sculptures of Hindu deities around.
There are around 157 narrow steps leading to the terrace where the balconies give a beautiful top
angle view of the whole town. When illuminated in the evening, the tower reflects a mesmerizing
effect and the view is worth capturing in the camera.
Tower of Victory - (Vijay Stambh)
Tower of Fame - (Kirti Stambh)
dedicated to Adinathji the 1st Jain Teerthankar adorned by the naked figures of the
Digambars [Adherents of the Digambar sect who does not believe in covering the
natural body] A narrow stairway goes through seven stories of the tower to the
top.The 22 metres high tower was build by a wealthy jain merchant in the 12th
century A.D.
Tower of Fame - (Kirti Stambh)

10. Seven Gates of the Fort
To enter in to the Fort Of Chittorgarh, the
person has to go through seven huge
gates(Pol). Each gate is different in its name,
design and its size. Below is the list of these
gates:
Padan Pol
Bhairon Pol
Hanuman Pol
Jorla Pol
Ganesh Pol
Laxman Pol
Ram Pol
Gaumukh Reservoir
A deep tank filled by a spring coming from a
'cow mouth', situated at the edge of the cliff. It
is considered to be sacred where you can feed
the fishes.