Chittorgarh: Difference between revisions

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'''Chittorgarh'''  {{audio|Chittorgarh.ogg|pronunciation}} (also '''Chittor''' or '''Chittaurgarh''') is a major city in [[Rajasthan]] state of western [[India]]. It lies on the [[Berach River]], a tributary of the [[Banas River|Banas]], and is the administrative headquarters of [[Chittorgarh District]]. It was a major stronghold of the [[Rajput]] State of [[Mewar|Medapata]]. (modern [[Mewar]]) The city of Chittorgarh is located on the banks of river [[Gambhir River (Rajasthan)|Gambhiri]] and Berach.

Chittorgarh is home to the [[Chittor Fort]], the largest fort in India and [[Asia]]. It was sacked thrice; first in [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1303)|1303]] by [[Alauddin Khalji]], again in [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1535)|1535]] by [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat|Bahadur Shah]] of [[Gujarat]], and lastly by the [[Mughal Emperor]] Akbar in [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1567–1568)|1568]]. Its Hindu [[Rajput]] rulers fought fiercely to maintain their independence. On all three occasions when faced with a certain defeat, the men fought to death, while the women committed suicide by [[jauhar]] (mass self-immolation). Chittor also has been a land of worship for [[Meera]], It is also known for [[Panna Dai]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=International dictionary of historic places|date=1994–1996|publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers|others=Ring, Trudy., Salkin, Robert M., 1965–, La Boda, Sharon.|isbn=9781884964046|location=Chicago|oclc=31045650}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Rajput palaces : the development of an architectural style, 1450-1750|last=Tillotson|first=G. H. R.|date=1987|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=0300037384|location=New Haven|oclc=14272201}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetindi00sari|title=India|last=Singh|first=Sarina|isbn=9781741043082|edition=12th|location=Footscray, Vic.|oclc=141382100|url-access=registration|year=2007}}</ref>

In 1567–68, the Mughal emperor [[Akbar]] [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1567–1568)|besieged and captured]] the fort.<ref>[https://books.google.com.pk/books/about/The_Great_Mughals_and_Their_India.html?id=40ywDAAAQBAJ&PA=168 The Great Mughals and their India by Dirk Collier, p. 168-172]</ref> In 1615, as part of a peace treaty between Akbar's successor [[Jahangir]] and the Maharana of Mewar, [[Amar Singh I]], Mewar accepted Mughal suzerainty and the fort as well as the areas surrounding Chittorgarh were given to Mewar. However, due to the military danger presented by the fort, it was never to be fortified or even repaired.<ref>[https://books.google.com.pk/books/about/The_Great_Mughals_and_Their_India.html?id=40ywDAAAQBAJ&PA=250 The Great Mughals and their India by Dirk Collier, p. 250]</ref> Later, it was occupied by the [[British Indian Empire]].{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} The fort was refurbished in 1905 during [[British Raj]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-12-18|title=Chittorgarh – The Largest Fort In India|url=https://www.themysteriousindia.net/chittorgarh-largest-fort-india/|work=The Mysterious India|access-date=2021-11-18}}</ref>

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Chittorgarh is located at {{Coord|24.88|N|74.63|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/24/Chittaurgarh.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Chittorgarh]</ref> It has an average elevation of 394&nbsp;metres (1292&nbsp;ft).Chittorgarh is located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the northwestern part of India. It is located beside a high hill near the Gambhiri River. Chittorgarh is located between 23° 32' and 25° 13' north latitudes and between 74° 12' and 75° 49' east longitudes in the southeastern part of Rajasthan state. The district encompasses 350.8 square km (3.17 per cent of the Rajasthan State) area of land.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/district/451-chittaurgarh.html|title=Chittaurgarh (Chittorgarh) District Population Census 2011, Rajasthan literacy sex ratio and density|website=www.census2011.co.in|access-date=2018-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/chittorgarh/en/about-chittorgarh/location-and-area.html#|title=Location and Area|website=chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/rajasthan/districts/chittaurgarh.htm|title=Chittorgarh District Map|website=www.mapsofindia.com|access-date=2018-03-24}}</ref>

The completed [[Golden Quadrilateral]] highway system passes through Chittorgarh, connecting it to most of India. The East-West Corridor (Express Highway) also crosses it. Chittorgarh is situated on National Highway No. 76 & 79. National Highway 76 connects to [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]] with a 2 hour drive.

[[Chittaurgarh Junction]] is a busy junction of Western Railway of [[Indian Railways]], Ratlam Division. It has direct rail links with all major Indian cities including [[Ajmer]], [[Udaipur]], [[Jaipur]], [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Kolkata]], [[Pune]], [[Chennai]], [[Rameswaram]], [[Yeshwantpur]], [[Ahmedabad|Ahmadabad]], [[Surat]], [[Indore]], [[Ratlam]], [[Gwalior]], [[Bhopal]], [[Nagpur]], [[Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh|Bilaspur]], and [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]], [[Mysore]].

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Chittorgarh is well connected to all parts of India by roads. The Golden Quadrilateral Road Project and North-South-East-West corridor expressways pass through Chittorgarh City. The bus stand (bus depot) of Chittorgarh is located between the old and new cities. There are good bus services (private as well as state-owned) available for Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Bundi, Kota, Udaipur, and other major cities.

The [[Chittor Fort]] is seated on a 180-metre hill, covers an expanse of {{convert|700|acre|km2}}. It was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th century CE. There is also a belief that it was constructed by Bhima of the Pancha Pandavas.  This fort was the citadel of many great rajput warriors such as Gora, Badal, Rana Kumbha, [[Maharana Pratap]], Jaimal, Patta, etc.<ref>http://chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/chittorgarh/en/about-chittorgarh/tourist-places.html</ref>

[[Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh Fort|Kalika Mata Temple]] was originally built in the 8th century for Sun God and was later converted to a temple for mother Goddess, Kali in the 14th century. During the festival days of [[Navaratri]], fairs are organised and pilgrims from different places come here to pay obeisance at the temple.<ref>http://chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/chittorgarh/en/about-chittorgarh/tourist-places.html</ref>

[[Vijay Stambha]], is a huge nine storey tower which was built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the rulers of [[Malwa]] and Gujarat in 1440. The tower is {{convert|122|ft|m|abbr=on}} high and stands on a {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}} high base. There are sculptures and carvings on the exterior walls of the tower.  The tower is visible from any section of the town below. To reach the top of the tower top one has to climb 157 steps, it offers great view of the surroundings from the top.  The inside walls of the tower are carved with images of Gods, weapons, etc.<ref>http://chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/chittorgarh/en/about-chittorgarh/tourist-places.html</ref>

[[Kirti Stambh]] (Tower of Fame) is a 22-metre-high (72&nbsp;ft) tower built in the 12th century CE. Kirti Stambh is built inside Chittorgarh fort. It is dedicated to [[Rishabha (Jain tirthankar)|Rishabha]], the first [[Tirthankara]] of [[Jainism]]. It was built by a merchant and is decorated with figures from the Jain pantheon. It is a seven storied pillar which was built by Biherwal Mahajan Sanaya of Digambar Jain sect. On its four corners are engraved idols of [[Rishabhanatha|Shri Adinathji]] in Digambar style which each are five feet (about 1.5 meters) high and elsewhere are engraved several small idols consecrated to Jain lineage of deities.<ref>http://chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/chittorgarh/en/about-chittorgarh/tourist-places.html</ref>

Rana Kumbha's Palace is near the Vijay Stambh. This is the birthplace of [[Maharana Udai Singh]], the founder of [[Udaipur]]. His life was saved by the heroic act of the maid [[Panna Dai|Panna Dhay]], who replaced her son in place of the prince, with the result that her son was killed by Banbir. She carried the prince away to safety in a fruit basket. [[Meera Bai|Rani Meera Bai]] also lived in this palace.  This is the place where Rani Padmini committed {{lang|sa|jauhar}} with the other ladies in one of the underground cellars.<ref>http://chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/chittorgarh/en/about-chittorgarh/tourist-places.html</ref>

According to legend, [[Rani Padmini]]'s Palace is from which the [[Delhi Sultanate]] ruler [[Alauddin Khalji]] was allowed to watch a reflection of the Rani by replacing the mirror at such an angle that even if he turned back he could not see the room. Khalji had been warned by the Rani's husband [[Rawal Ratan Singh]] that if he turned back they would cut his neck.<ref>http://chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/chittorgarh/en/about-chittorgarh/tourist-places.html</ref>

Chanderiya Lead-Zinc Smelter is one of the largest zinc-lead smelting complexes in the world. Its current metal production capacity is 610,000 tonnes per annum (525,000 tonnes per annum of zinc and 85,000 tonnes per annum of lead). In the year ended March 2013, Chanderiya produced 443,000 MT of zinc and 60,000 MT of lead. The main products are special high grade (SHG) zinc, continuous galvanising grade (CGG) zinc, prime western (PW) zinc and pure lead. It also produces a number of valuable by-products including silver and cadmium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/2016-17/Chittrogarh.pdf|title=Brief Industrial Profile of Chittorgarh}}</ref>

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