Chittourgarh- The town
of the brave, known for its massive fort atop a hill, which can be singled
out for its glorious past.
The fort has checkered history, it has witnessed some of the bloodiest
battles iln history, three great Sakas and some of the most heroic deeds
of valor, which are still sung by the local musicians. The antiquity of
Chittaurgarh is difficult to trace, but it is believed that Bhim the legendary
figure of the Mahabharta, visited this place to learn the secrets of immortality
and became the disciple of a sage, but his impatience to perform all the
rites deprived him of his goal, and out of sheer anger he stamped on ground
creating water reservoir, this reservoir is called as Bhim Lat. Later
on, it came under the Mauryas or Muri Rajputs, there are different opinions
as to when ilt came under the Mewar ruler, but it remained the capital
of Mewar till 1568, when it was shifted to Udaipur.
It
is believed that Bappa Rawal the legendary founder of the Sisodia clan,
received Chittaur in the middle of 8th century, as a part of the dowry
after marriage with the last Solanki princess, after that his descendants
ruled Mewar which stretched from Gujarat to Ajmer, upto the 16th century.
Chittourgarh is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. It reverberates
with history of heroism and sacrifice, which is evident as it echoes with
the tales sung by the Bards of Rajasthan. The main reason for visiting
Chittourgarh is its massive hilltop fort, which is a depiction of Rajput
culture and values. The fort stands on a 240-hectares site on an 180m
high hill that rises rapidly from the plains below.
