Hill fort · Chittorgarh

Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh

India's largest fort, spread across a 180-metre hill, and the most powerful symbol of Rajput honour and sacrifice.

LocationChittorgarh, 115 km from Udaipur

AreaAbout 700 acres

UNESCOHill Forts of Rajasthan

Time needed3–4 hours

The story

A little history.

Chittorgarh was the capital of Mewar for centuries, until Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur after the third great siege in 1568. The fort was besieged three times, in 1303, 1535 and 1568, and each siege ended in the jauhar of its women and a last stand by its warriors.

Today the hilltop is a vast open site of palaces, temples, towers and water tanks, reached through seven gateways on a winding road. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hill Forts of Rajasthan.

What to see

Don't miss.

Vijay StambhaThe nine-storey Tower of Victory, built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century and covered in sculpture.
Kirti StambhaThe older Tower of Fame, a Jain monument dedicated to the first Tirthankara.
Rana Kumbha PalaceThe ruins of the palace where Udai Singh II was born.
Padmini PalaceThe water pavilion linked to the legend of Rani Padmini.
Meera TempleA temple associated with the poet-saint Meerabai.
Gaumukh ReservoirA spring-fed tank where water flows from a carved cow's mouth.