| The Pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittaurgarh echoes with the tales of romance and valour unique to the Rajput tradition. A ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts,
graceful palaces and spectacular chhatries. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was 'Jauhar'-when women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre
while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards a certain depth. Alauddin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaurgarh in 1303 A.D. overpowered by a passionate desire
to possess the regal beauty queen Padmini. Legend has it, that he saw her face in the reflection of a mirror and was struck by her mesmerizing beauty. But the noble queen preferred death to
dishonor and committed 'Jauhar'. In 1533 A.D., during the rule of Bikramjeet, came the second attack from Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. Once again Jauhar was led by Rani Karmavati, a Bundi
princess. Her infant son, Udai Singh was smuggled out of Chittaurgarh to Bundi who survived to inherit the throne of the citadel. He learnt from his traumatic childhood that discretion is
preferred to valour. So in, 1567 A.D. when the Mughal Emperor invaded Chittaurgarh, Udai Singh fled to establish a new Capital, Udaipur-a Beautiful lake city, leaving behind Chittaurgarh to be
defended by two 16 year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and patta of Kelwa. These young men displayed true Rajput chivalry and died after 'Jauhar' was performed. Immediately thereafter Akbar razed
the fort to a rubble. Chittaurgarh was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors. |
