Bravery resisted invaders, setting examples for others. The old fort was built on a hill about 500 feet high; it was enough to protect those who lived on it. It was Maharana Kumbha who strengthened the fortification in the 15th Century to withstand the emerging strategic challenges. Built on top of strong rock and a structure with ramparts foiled Alauddin Khilji. Chittorgarh fort was the wealthiest fort. It enjoyed a strategic location, there was abundance of wealth in Gujrat. Chittorgarh stood between Sultans of Delhi and welath of Gujrat. To control Chittorgarh was to command North and South and access to the sea. The arrangements made for the defense of this fort illustrates progress in military architecture. The massive gates were built according to the cannons of hindu vastu-shastra.
Mere mention of Chittorgarh fort conjures vision of the Rani Padmini. Like Helen of Troy whose face has launched the thousand battleships, it is believed that the peerless beauty of Padmini provoked Sultan Alauddin Khilji to assault the citadel to claim Padmini as the prize.
Malik Mohammad Jaisi's tale of romance of Padmini and her husband is the subject matter of hindu epic Padmavat.
It is a tale to be interpreted metaphorically.
It does not deal with lusty wild love alone, it talks of the dresslesness of the individual soul to be won with the almighty, the depiction of 'Baramasa' the changing cycle season is supposed to be matchless in hindi literature. The Padmini Palace is perhaps the most famous part of the fort.
It keeps alive the memory of the beautiful Queen who once dwelt here and is still celebrated as an inspiring figure. However the style of the building suggests that it was built much later on. Alauddin Khilji laid siege to Chittorgarh, he finally got access to where he desperately wanted to be. He was promised by Maharana that he could see Rani Padmini's reflection in Padmini Talaab. Alauddin Khilji fell madly in love and through deceit he was determined to get her, he tried foul means. Strategic location of Chittorgarh was also temping for Khilji.
After a long seize lasting months, the soldiers fought bravely till their last breath, over 5000 soilders were killed and once the Chittorgarh fell, Rani Padmini laid the famous Johar to save her chastity and dignity. Rani Padmini along with 1100 women immolated themselves on pyre.
After the battle, scenes of destruction could be seen everywhere. The palace reminds us of selfless sacrifice of worriers like Gora and Badal. After sometime Rajputs regained the control of the fort. Peace and prosperity returned to Chittor. Mewar reached its zenith of glory during the reign of Maharana Kumbha. The place in the fort that bears his name is a prominent building, it has a large hall of audience and residential rooms for the Queens and several corridors. Maharana Kumbha won Malwa and Gujarat. The tower of victory was erected after his victory. The Kutub Minar of Delhi may be taller but the decorations on Vijay Stambh are elegant.
The base has a circumference of 14 meter , 57 meter high and comprise of 9 stories.
Another tower named Kritistambh matches Vijya stambh in ornamentation, though short in height. It was commision by a rich trader belonging to the Digamber sect. The ceiling of tower bears Jain imprints.
Chittorgarh was a great patron of Art Culture, Hindu and Jain temples. These religious shrines represent the repository of cultures and seats of scholarships. Meera Bai temple in Chittorgarh captures the tourists attention. One of the most important legends associated with the fort of Chittorgarh is the legend of Meera.
Meera was a born rajput princess married to the crown prince of Mewar. She was smitten by love for lord Krishna. She wandered from one place to another. This temple preserves the memory of the days when she worshipped her lord here. In Fact though the shrine bears her name, it was actually built by Maharana Kumbha.
Meera was not attracted to the pomp of royalty. She wanted to share her love for Lord Krishna with common people, to be one with them in their joy and sorrow.
She took steps to break the shackles of feudalism that restricted a woman to live a life on her own wishes. She preferred a small temple to the confines of large palaces. Her songs continue to be sung as devotional songs all across India.
Kumbha Shayam temple stands close to Meera Bai temple. Idols of Krishna, Balram and Subadhra are installed in this temple. This temple suffered damage when Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittorgarh.
Jatashankar Mahadev Temple is another important temple remarkable for devotees of Lord Shiva. It was commissioned by Maharana Kumbha. It is believed that Bhima, the legendary hero of Mahabharata worshipped Shiva at this temple. Statues carved on stones, elaborate decor, beautiful and strong walls speaks of the refined sensibility and prosperity of Chittorgarh.
Chittorgarh was the heart of Mewar, caravans from Delhi and all across north India to Gujrat and the Arabian sea had to pass through Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh enjoyed a strategic location both militarily and commercially. Chittorgarh became irresistible to Emperor Akbar. It stood between him and the Arabian sea. It was a bit challenging to bring down such a citadel of resistance.
Akbar first extended his hand in friendship.
Those who accepted particularly the Kachwahas were given high ranks and positions and their fortunes multiplied. However those who resisted like the Rana of Mewar suffered defeat and loss.
In 1567, Akbar invaded Chittorgarh. After the three months long seizure, the citadel was captured. The Infuriated Emperor ordered large scale slaughter of those who resisted. Thousands of people lost their lives, women chose death over dishonour. In this case Akbar was particularly brutal in his not so brutal career. So much taken by the bravery of defenders that Akbar eventually had the statues made of the two defenders, Jaimal and Patta. He put the statues at Agra Fort as the symbol of bravery. Jaimal and Patta are still worshipped like gods and have become unfading symbols of indomitable courage and selfless sacrifice.
Chittorgarh is a kind of standard bearer of Rajasthan's history. All those who love freedom rank Chittorgarh above all other sites of pilgrimages. They long not to visit Gangasagar, Bumeshwer or Kashi or Mathura, it's always Chittorgarh their eyes are thirsty. The land of glory, chivalry , resistance and freedom still shines even in ruins. It keeps reminding of legends and brave hearts who stood for it, fought for it and died for it but the fort never stooped.
There's a local saying in Rajasthan
"Garh to Chittorgarh
Baki sab Garhiya"
It means if there's a fort that has to be reckoned with it is Chittorgarh whereas others are just small fortresses.
1615, as part of a peace treaty between Akbar's successor Jahangir and the Maharana of Mewar, Amar Singh I, Mewar accepted Mughal suzerainty and the fort as well as the areas surrounding Chittorgarh were given to Mewar. However, due to the military danger presented by the fort, it was never to be fortified or even repaired. Later, it was occupied by the British Indian Empire.
-Rifat Siddiqui
Nice font!
ReplyDeleteWell written rifat
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