Chittorgarh Fort

Located in Rajasthan, Chittorgarh Fort was strategically very important in those days when Rajput warriors fought and preferred to die fighting rather than suffer dishonor. The fortress evokes a feeling of chivalry that is characterestic of an era where men lived and died by the sword and women preferred to jump into fire rather than fall in the enemy hand.

Designed on an 180 m high hill, the approach to the fort is so zigzag that it will simply confound a person. The fort was built to be impenetrable and true to its reputation the fort withstood the siege by the powerful army of Emperor Akbar.

The fortress has within it quite a few features like "Kirti Stambh" or Tower of Fame and "Vijay Stambh" or Tower of Victory. The road that leads to the entrance of the fortress meanders through a hill and wood and through a series of seven gateways. There are quite a few temples inside the fortress.

The tower of fame is a tapering seven storied structure. There is a narrow staircase of 54 steps. The most important piece of architecture is the Tower of Victory. The tower was built to commemorate the victory of Rana Kumbha over Allauddin Khilji. The stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata is also sculptured on the rock. From the terrace of the fortress, the city below looks mesmerizing.

Chittorgarh is one of the finest relics of ancient India. Today it is one of the most visited places in Rajasthan. The fortress evokes a romanticism that you will find in no other historical structures. Even to this day the fort epitomizes valor and patriotism.