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The
pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittaur 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 chhatris.
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 death.
Alauddin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in J303 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 mesmerising beauty. But the noble queen preferred
death to dishonour 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 Karnavati, a Bundi princess. Her infant
son, Udai
Singh was smuggled out of Chittaur 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 Chittaur, Udai Singh fled to establish a
new Capital, Udaipur - a beautiful lake city, leaving behind Chittaur
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.
Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic
spirit of Rajput warriors.
Travel Information How To Get There
Air : 90 km is the nearest airport,
Dabok airport, Udaipur.
Rail ; Chittaurgarh is well connected
by rail. Some important train connections are : Chetak Express (Delhi
Sarai Rohilla-Chittaurgarh-Udaipur); Pass. (Kota-Chittaurgarh-Nimach);
9769 Express (Khandawa-Chittaurgarh-Ajmer)
Road : Bus services operate to several
important destinations. Delhi (583 km), Mount Abu (297 km), Jaipur
(325 km), Indore (325 km) and Ajmer (185 km) away from Chittaurgarh.
Local Transport: Unmetered auto-rickshaws.
Also cycle-rickshaw and tongas.
The
pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittaur 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 chhatris. 
Udai
Singh was smuggled out of Chittaur 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 Chittaur, Udai Singh fled to establish a
new Capital, Udaipur - a beautiful lake city, leaving behind Chittaur
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. 
