Tragic War Stories of Chittorgarh Fort Rajasthan
We lost track of time and the planned time of two hours extended to three to five hours! Yet we could do only the top tourist attractions of Chittorgarh Fort. Hard to visit all the interesting spots inside the fort as the fort spread over 690 acres. Each spot had a history; and the tragic war stories of Chittorgarh Forts left us speechless. Some parts of Chittorgarh Fort, we were told are haunted, but nothing to fear in broad daylight. Read on to know the tragic war stories in this short essay on Chittorgarh Fort Rajasthan India.
Chittorgarh Fort the largest fort in Rajasthan fort is spread in an area of 700 acres. The Chittor Fort has been built and rebuilt several times. But it is King Chitrangad Mori of the Maurya dynasty who built it in the 7th century A.D. first. This fort was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2013.
Sad War Stories of Chittorgarh Fort in India
History of Chittorgarh Fort is interesting, full of tragic incident and stories of deceit. Each time I read the history of Chittorgarh Fort of Rajasthan I get goosebumps. After the first disaster of 1303, Chittorgarh Fort regained its glory for a short period under Rana Kumbha, when he ruled Mewar in Rajasthan, between 1433 and 1468 AD. He built the Fort of Kumbalgarh.
First Attack by Allauddin Khalji on Chittor Fort
The first siege of Chittor Fort was in AD1303 by an Islamic barbaric invader, Allauddin Khalji.
Khalji was enraged at Rana Ratan Singh, the then king of Chittorgarh, for not letting his armies march through Mewar to reach Gujarat. Yet another reason was he had heard so much of the beauty of Rani Padmini, Queen of Rana Ratan Singh, that he wanted to possess her.
He failed to capture the mighty Chittor Fort and sent a message to the king that he would return to Delhi after he gets a glimpse of Rani Padmini’s beautiful face. Embarrassed and wishing for peace, the King discussed with his intelligent beautiful wife, Rani Padmini.
How Khalji was shown Padmini’s face?
View of Padmavati palace from window
Reflection of Padmini’s palace on mirror in a room of Ratan Singh’s Palace. It is said Khilji saw her reflection in a mirror positioned here.
Women in those days observed purdah. She tactfully agreed by not refusing yet not allowing Khilji to directly gaze at her face; instead he was shown her reflection in a mirror.
Khalji was so mesmerized by the hazy reflection of the Queen that he cunningly captured the King Ratan Singh who had come to see him off at the gate. He then demanded the Queen submit herself to him in return for the King’s life.
Rani Padmini Outwits Alauddin Khalji
The intelligent Queen then chalked out a plan and demanded for 700 palanquins for her 700 maids who would accompany her. Khalji immediately provided the palanquins. 700 brave soldiers in the guise women then set out to Khalji’s camp and rescued their King Ratan Singh.
Rani Padmini’s palace
Second Attack by Khalji on Chittor Fort
Khalji attacked the fort again on 26th August 1303. This time, Ratan Singh’s men could not withstand the attack. Initially they were not successful and couldn’t break into the fort. Khalji then decided to lay siege to the fort. Supplies to the fort were stopped for months. This had weakened the forces considerably.
Finally when defeat seemed certain women and children led by Rani Padmini threw themselves in the liberating flames of Jauhar.
When Khalji entered the fort all that he could hear was heart-wrenching wails coming out from the Jauhar Kund. Nothing was left but the ashes and stench of burning dead bodies. These sights and sounds haunted him for years later.
He was so angry that he razed down the various structures inside the fort except Ratan Singh’s and Rani Padmini’s palace. Muslim invaders had built dome like structures on top of all the razed down buildings.
Alauddin then handed over the fort to his son Khizr Khan, who was 7 or 8 years old and the fort got renamed Khizrabad. Khizr Khan’s rule at the fort lasted till 1311 AD. Due to the pressure of Rajputs he was forced to entrust power to the Sonigra chief Maldeva who held the fort for 7 years.
Hammir Singh, usurped control of the fort from Maldeva
Different Versions of Padmavati’s story
When I visited Chittorgarh in September 2008 the guide narrated to us this particular version of story of Padmavati, another name of Rani Padmini. But as I scoured internet for Stories of Chittorgarh Fort, its history, I could find different versions Padmavati’s story.
One of them mentions:
Devpal, king of Kumbhalgarh, became enamored with Padmavati’s beauty and proposed to marry her. Ratan Singh returned to Chittor and charged Devpal. In a duel with Devpal, both died. Khalji came much later to capture Padmavati. Jauhar part of the story is same in all versions though.
Vijay Stambh at Chittaurgarh Fort
This massive monument impressed me the most. Vijay Stambh was constructed by Mewar king Rana Kumbha in 1448. Rana Kumbha defeated Mahmud Khilji and erected the tower of victory (Vijay Stambha) in Chittorgarh. He built this to commemorate his victory over the combined armies of Malwa and Gujarat led by Mahmud Khilji.
Rana Kumbha carved word Allah, 9 times in third storey and 8 times in eighth. He believed that if someday Chittor goes to Muslim invaders, they may not destroy the structure seeing the word Allah inscribed on its walls.
The tower is dedicated to God Vishnu.
Vijay Stambh built by Rana Kumbha, 1448 AD
Second Major Battle of Chittorgarh Fort Rajasthan
The second disaster that razed down the mighty Chittorgarh Fort further, was the siege of Chittor Fort in 1535 by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat.
Queen Karnavati who was holding on to the fort bravely, sent her sons Vikramjit and Udai Singh to safety. She also sent Rakhi to Emperor of Hindustan, Humayun, seeking his protection from Bahadur Shah. (Rakhi is a sacred thread which a Hindu woman ties around the right wrist of a brother to ensure protection.)
Unfortunately for the Queen, Emperor Humayun was at far east in Bengal. Honored, that a Rajput Queen had chosen him as her brother, he immediately set out from Bengal to protect his sister.
It was too late; once more the mass jauhar took place. This time it is told that Queen Karnavati and other women, 13,000 of them blew themselves up in one huge blast using gunpowder.
Emperor Humayun reached Chittor, defeated Bahadur Shah and handed the fort to Vikramjit.
Gateway to Mahasati – Stories of Chittor Fort
Mahasati sacred place to cremate the rulers
Third Battle of Chittorgarh Fort in India
The third and final among the three war stories of Chittorgarh Fort, which proved to be fatal, was by Akbar, son of Humayun when Chittor was ruled by Udai Singh son of Karnavati. Both aged around 25 didn’t share cordial relationships.
Prince Udai Singh sought the easy way out fleeing the scene leaving the fort to his chiefs Rao Jaimal Rathore of Badnore and Rawat Patta Sisodia. Both fought bravely but a chance shot fired by Akbar himself killed Jaimal on the spot and defeat was certain. Impressed by their bravery, Akbar ordered the construction of their statues outside his fort in Agra to honor their courage. Today the damaged statues are placed in front of Delhi Gate in Red Fort.
Again pyres were lit, women leapt in to the flames and the men folk rode out to fight till death. It is said there was not a single living soul inside when Akbar entered the fort.
The battle raged from 20th Oct 1567 to 23rd Feb 1568 (today is 23rd Feb too!); the Mughals too had incurred heavy losses. An angry Akbar plundered and razed down this mighty fort to such an extent that for two centuries it remained uninhabited and turned to a haunt of wild animals.
Jauhar at Chittorgarh
This ghost town even today reverberates with the tales of its past glory and the sacrifices made by its people. I was shocked and numbed, choking with a mixture of feelings listening to the sad Stories of Chittorgarh Fort from the guide, thinking of the innumerable women who would have leapt to flames in this very soil… what were their last thoughts?
Read more – Sad Story Jauhar Smarak Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
Guides of Chittorgarh Fort
Not once but 3 times Jauhar was committed here by women and children! The way the guide there explained to us left us mesmerized. It seemed as if it was his own family story.
As soon as you reach there guides will flock around you, do hire one of them. They are amazing story tellers and this is their bread and butter. They depend on tourists like us for their living.
Conclusion
Centuries have passed, but this act of self immolation has not ceased. Women of Afghanistan are setting themselves to fire even today, some to save themselves from dishonor, some for other reasons. They are driven to such levels of desperation. Care to read about it? Read it here: Terror of a Different Kind. The article was fresh in my mind when I was touring Chittorgarh fort on 7th Oct 2008.
There is lots to see in Chittorgarh Fort. Tour time of Chittor Fort can take anywhere between 4 to 5 hours. Read more – MUST VISIT PLACES IN CHITTORGARH FORT – PALACES, TEMPLES, LAKES
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(Updated post. This was first written on Feb 23rd, 2008.)
Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.
Very powerful post. I was happy to hear about Humayun’s concern for his “sister”Padmini. So much for people who use the Mughal regime as a tool for Hindu- Muslim divide .
Not Padmini but Karnavati wife of Rana Sanga
In 1568 when Akbar attacked Chittaurgarh he ordered massacre of 30000 innocent civilian living that time in the fort.
Lovely capture of history through words and pictures. I know I know,…I should have gone there the last time 🙂
Incredible ! Amazing structures and the intricate carving on the walls simply breathtaking ! Great hostory too .
Chittorgarh was always known to me as a famous fort only, but these are some great stories and captures. Thanks for sharing it.
Beautiful captures and a fascinating history 🙂
Amazing architecture … and well captured. What is thought-provoking is that without the help of modern Computer Adied Design or GPS, these people carved such intricate structures …
Nicely described the story of Chittaurgarh Fort, Indrani.. The Pictures are truly amazing clicks.. Thanks for sharing the Post!
Very good pictures and the history is explained equally well. 🙂
remarkable
Chittaurgarh faced many disaster but it has gained more power and glory every time . Indrani ji , you went to the top of the Vijaya Stambh ? There , we feel a more pressure of air . beautifully narrated !!
Splendid architecture and I like listening to ghost stories 🙂
An awesome cocktail of pictures and history. 🙂
Thanks for the post.
Nice place captured nicely, good to read the history behind it.
what a nice place it is. very interesting post. I borrow one name from your post of mahasati . I was not aware about it . Thank you very much Indrani ji
Great pix, interesting historical info. Thanks for sharing this!
So much beauty in the buildings carving and design, yet so much gruesome tragedy in the story of so very many women’s suicides, sickening really! But that’s history sometimes.
The history would make climb people to this fort! Great pictures.
Its kind of rakhi sent by karnavathi and accepted by Humayun charms.
Very awesome stone work.
Breathtaking photos! Thanks for sharing a part of its rich history.
Pictures brings one to seat’s edge and the details makes one grip the handles. Relived the history.
The Queens morning walks place looked interesting.
My mind is still seized with the previous blog. Queen Padmini was so smart to disguise 700 soldiers as maids and retrieved her hubby King.
But why Rana Ratan Singh wasn’t smart enough to show someone else’s witch like face in the mirror to Khilji – so that he would’ve run for his life and never returned..!!!
Lovely pictures accompanied by very apt narration. It is sad that so many women had to sacrifice their lives for madness of others.
a poignant yet beautiful post! the pictures are beautiful too!
Awe-inspiring to tour this place through your eyes.
These are such amazing structures and thank you for taking the time to write about their fascinating history too.
You see some of the most beautiful structures I could imagine.. and share them just as your blog name promises. Lucky us. 🙂
Great pictures. The historical details are fascinating. I could walk around there for ever imagining the events of the past!
The first photo was quite astonishing in every way.
What a powerful testiment of our thoughts!
Beautiful pictures of a people, who at one time, had so much going for them. Why is it, we have it so good that we find time to take, or make it so bad?!
Hope you have a great day!!
Thanks for a fascinating history accompanied by wonderful pictures. I learned a lot and enjoyed this post.
i am learning more about Indian history from your blog. thanks
Excellent post with interesting, but sad and cruel history. The buildings must have been great and magnificent. These ruins are more telling then buildings that are still in perfect condition. Thanks for sharing this.
A fascinating post and awesome photos. Wow!
Thanks for stopping by my blog too.
That is just an awesome insight to your world! and the history is a great addition!
What an amazing place and such a fascinating history too! I just love those intricate carvings. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to part 2.
Wonderful photographs. The first snap was amazing.
and I still remember climbing the Victory Stamb 🙂
What an amazing place. The Architect and sculptures are just amazing.
I wonder how long it took for them to do those
Thanks for visiting my blog with your nice comments.
You have such rich histories in your homeland. The buildings are so amazing and the craftsmanship is very well done.
I enjoy the history so much and the details you show us is phenomenal. I would so love to see that Fort in person but I almost feel like I have from visiting your wonderful shots.
Utterly amazing. It’s amazing what people accomplished with a different sense of time at work.
Incredibly intricate and beautiful stonework!
I can understand why 5 hours is not enough to visit this. So much details and things to see and enjoy.
That is an amazing place I love all the detail. Thanks for sharing the great photos.
Incredible! Structures like these impress and amaze me more than the tallest modern skyscrapers – how did they do it!
very beautiful captures accompanied by good look into history….