• Chittorgarh Fort, on its isolate rocky plateau, rising 500 feet above the plain,

Chittorgarh Fort developed between the 8th and 16th centuries. Its defensive structures reflect the
re-building necessitated by the many military campaigns of its rulers against
western invaders and the Mughal Empire. The extent to which it displays
building that reflect itsrole as a centre of power make it distinctive from the
Location: Chittorgarh, Rajasthan other forts. As the former capital of the Sisodia clan and the target of three
Built By: Chitrangada Mori famous historical sieges, the site is strongly imbued with associational values
Occupants: Mauryas of Chittor, Guhilas of Medapata, Sisodias attaching to Rajput history and folklore. Furthermore the sheer number and
of Mewar variety of architectural remains of early date (ranging from the 8th to the 16th
Area: 691.9 acres centuries) mark it out as exceptional, with only a few Indian forts that are
comparable.
• Its fortifications are now considered to be one of the finest Hindu defence
systems to survive in any degree of completeness. The initial walls were
constructed in the
• 13th century AD. Their current planning reflect the ideas of the Rana Kumbha
(1433-1468), the ruler of Mewar state, who, with his artisan Mandan,
established guidelines for Rajput fortifications. The ascent to the fort passes
through seven gateways,artly flanked by hexagonal or octagonal towers, and all
protected by enclosing defensive walls. The gates are known as the Paidal Pol,
Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jorla Pol, Laxman Pol, and Ram Pol, the
final and main gate. Within the walls are the extensive remains of several
palaces.
• Rana Kumbha Mahal, the palace of Rana Kumbha, was constructed in the
15th century and enlarged several times. It now incorporates the Kanwar
Pade Ka Mahal (the palace of the heir), the later three storey palace of the
poetess Mira Bai (1498-1546), and the Ratan Singh Palace (1528-31). The
stone palaces are decorated with turrets, balconies and verandas with
balustrades. Two of the last buildings to be constructed in the 16th century
before the Siodias lost the fort were the Patta and Jaimal Havelis. In the early
19th century the Padmini Palace, named after the wife of a mid-13th century
ruler, was res-constructed. It overlooks a large reservoir in the centre of which
is a pleasure pavilion. At the end of the 19th century, the large Fateh Prakash
palace, also named Badal Mahal (1885-1930), was constructed in the
Mewar/British style.

• Besides the palace complex, located on the highest and most secure terrain in
the west of the fort, there are many temples such Kumbha Shyam Temple, the
Mira Bai Temple, the Adi Varah Temple, and the Shringar Chauri
Temple.Although the majority of temple structures represent the Hindu faith,
most prominently the Kalikamata Temple (8thcent.), the Kshemankari Temple
(825-850) the Kumbha Shyam Temple (1448) or the Adbuthnath Temple (15th-
16th cent.), the hill fort also contains Jain temples, such as Shringar Chauri
(1448) and Sat Bis Devri (mid 15th cent.) Also the two tower memorials, Kirti
Stambh (13th-14thcent.) and Vijay Stambh (1433-1468), are Jain monuments.
They stand out with their respective heights of 24m and 37m, which ensure
their visibility from most
• locations of the fort complex.
• The forts has 85 historic water structures of which 20 are still functioning,
including three water tanks dating from the 7th century. Finally, the fort
compound is home to a contemporary municipal ward of approximately 3,000
inhabitants, which is located near Ratan Singh Tank at the northern end of the
property.
• The site extends to 305 hectares with a buffer zone of 440 hectares.
• Protection, conservation and management

• Boundaries of the nominated property and buffer zone

• Chittorgarh Fort
• ICOMOS considers that the boundaries of Chittorgarh Fort are adequately defined. However, ICOMOS recommends expanding the management and control
of urban development as well as industrial and mining activities to
• the wider setting beyond the currently designated buffer zone.
• In Chittorgarh a number of selected monuments are owned by the government of India and administered by the Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI).
• Protection
• Chittorgarh, is protected as Monuments of National Importance of India under the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act of 1951 (No. LXXI of 1951 (AMASR)) and the AMASR Amendment of 2010. The 1951 national
legislation provides unlimited protection to the monuments designated in its framework and the 2010 amendment establishes a 200 metre protection zone
around the area of the designated Monuments of National
• Importance.
• The most challenging project is to ensure total dryness of the soil beneath the fort. A major programme to replace the existing dilapidated sewer line has
been initiated by Government of Rajasthan with the help of Asian Development Bank so that the primary issue of water seepage and damage due to
hydrostatic pressure on the retaining wall can be eliminated. It is understood that the new system will be long lasting and will ensure no further seepage of
water inside the hill. The contract for the work has been awarded and sufficient funds have been allocated for the implementation of the project.
Professionals such as archaeologists and conservation architects will be monitoring the project throughout its execution to ensure the safeguarding of any
archaeological / heritage features.
This tutorial is designed for the people who would
like to know about the history of Chittorgarh Fort
along with the interiors and design of the
monument. This monument is visited by many
people from India and abroad.
 • The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest Hill Fort of India. The Word
garh means Fort. It was originally called “Chitrakut”.
• The Fort has been built by Local Maurya Ruler Chitrangada Maurya in
5th century AD. The legend is related with Pandva Bhima of Mahabharat
Epic evidenced by Bhima Kund of a Water Reservoir.
• The original Occupants/Owner of Fort, except invaders captured period,
has been considered as 1. Mauryans of Chittor (5th century) 2. Guhila of
Medapata (7th Century) 3. Sisodia of Mewar (13th to 19th century) The
UNESCO under World Heritage Site (WHS) designated it as “Hill Forts
of Rajasthan” in 37th session (2013) Considering State Party of India,
and included in Cultural Criteria Group.

• The Chittorgarh Fort had been a pride of Rajputana States of Ancient India.
• The Rajput Worrier Clans had ruled for centuries in Mewar Region of Aravalli Terrain with legacy and Royal status of the Reign. At present the preserved
remains of Forts, Palaces and Monuments reflects the story of gallantry, courage, survival, sacrification, devotion, prestige, Bravery & influence of power
over other states in its contemporaneous ages.
• The biggest Rajput festival known as Jauhar mela takes place every year in the fort by descenders of princely Rajput to commemorate the bravery of
Rajput warriors and all three spiritual Jauhars which happened at Chittorgarh.
• The Forts were equipped with some specific strategic structures to combat the attacks of invaders/battlements/Wars.
• The design and plan studies of Chittorgarh Fort reveals that the planners and designers were very. cautious towards safety and security of Fort from enemy
attacks, even site selection and construction of Infrastructures were largely decided by experienced and skilled personnel/advisors of Military/Artillary.
Troops and Worriers of the state.
• The chronological analysis of events in fort indicates that the invaders/Looter/Attackers had preplanned blue print in their hands where as the
Confidential and communication system was weak in the Fort. The lack of alertness towards preplanned enemies & their strategies of forth coming attack
were not imagined properly by the defensive personnels of the Fort. The defective Defense strategies were probably main cause of declination & losing of
Fort during Siege attacks by enemies
• Safety, Security and Defensive Strategic Structures –
• Importance of HILL FORT - In Indian Literature the importance of Hill Fort has been described by Manusmriti and Chanakya in Arthshastra. The
Manusmiriti considers the Hill Fort to be best defensive structure. The old Sanskrit Literature States Hill forts to be the abode of Gods and hence
auspicious. The Arthashastra of Kautilya (Chanakya) in the Indian Treaties illustrates some military strategies of Forts and mentioned six types of Forts
depending upon their mode of defense. 1. Water Fort 2. Desert Fort 3. Hill Foot 4. Van or Forest forts 5. Mahi (Earth) Fort 6. Nri Fort (Human fort or city
Fortresses) under this classification of Arthashastra the Chittorgarh Fort belongs to Giri Durga or Hill Fort and further categorized as Prantara Durga i.e.
located on a Flat Hill Top, which is considered best site for Fortification.
• International Recognition - UNESCO recognized the Chittorgarh Fort through World Heritage committee (Combodia) (Phemous penh 2013). as World
Heritage site (WHS)
• GATES (GATEWAYS)
• Gates provide security to the fort precincts from invasion or enemy attacks apart from the safety of wealth & Treasurey.
The plan and design of Gates comprises strategic elements. These were built with Huge blocks of massive stone
construction. The pointed Arches protect the gates from Canons and the elephants of invaders/enemies were unable to
push the Gates during war. The parapets were also constructed for the Archers of the Fort to Shoot arrows on attackers.
The parapets support the archers and acts as protection shields.
• The Chittorgarh Fort was built in 5th century AD with only one Entrance Gate. The Sisodia Rajputs Kings renovated the
Fort and Built six Gates in 15th century AD.
• The major Gates are 1. padan pol 2. Bhairav pol 3. Hanuman pol 4. Ganesh pol 5. Jodala pol 6. Laxman pol & 7. Ram pol.
The Ram pole is named on Lord Rama. The ancestors of the kings of mewar were the descendants of Lord Rama. It has Padan Pol
been made typically secure and highly proportionate approaches to reach the Fort through this route. Many curves and
narrow passages. with fortified walls make this route to direct entry at higher elevation from the low grounds on Berach
River City zone.
• Through the above mentioned seven massive stone gates the free and open access to the Fort is restricted using a narrow
pathway. The passage climbs up to the steep hill slope through successive deferise route and ever narrower way. The
seventh gate is important which is a final last gate given direct entry into Palace area of residential and official structures,
Rana Kumbha Mahal, Kanwar Pade ka Mahal, Mira Bai Palace. Ratan Singh Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace etc.
• Among other Gates the Lokata Bari is located at the Fort’s northern tip and a small opening passage at southern end. to
hurl Criminals into Abyss of the Fort Suraj pol is situated on the right Flank of Hillock in middle zone. The Rana Kumbha
Palace can be entered through Suraj pole. The council chamber or sabha lies on right side of Suraj pol. The Ganesha
Temple and Zenana (Women’s Residence/quarters) Constructed in the left of this sabha Building. Bhairav pol
• The famous battlement Gate ways are –
• (i) Padan Pol - It had named from Rajasthani language Patni means eldest or First. It is the area of battlement or place of
war & defends against enemies or invaders in past.
• (ii) Bhairav pol - It is also known as Fateh Pol & second Gate of Chittorgarh Fort. It had important place during battlement.
• (iii) Jodala pol - Means double gates or Joint gates. It is the 5th Gate of the Fort but it is connected with the 6th pol. This is
a unique feature of Gate configuration in Indian Fort design. The upper Arch portion of Jorla pol is connected to the base
of Lakshman pol. (A Dual Gate) The Gates defense the accessibility to reach the higher/upper level segment/portion of
Fort. Only the Seventh and final Gate leads directly approach into the palace area, which comprises various Residential
and official structures. Jodala pol