Kumbhalgarh: Difference between revisions

{{More citations needed|date=July 2021}}{{Short description|Fort at Rajsamand District of Rajasthan}}

'''Kumbhalgarh''' (literally "'''Kumbhal fort'''") is a [[Mewar]] fortress on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills, in the [[Rajsamand district]] near [[Udaipur]] of [[Rajasthan]] state in western [[India]]. It is a [[World Heritage Site]] included in [[Hill Forts of Rajasthan]]. Built during the course of the 15th century by [[Rana Kumbha]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} Occupied until the late 19th century, the fort is now open to the public and is spectacularly lit for a few minutes each evening. Kumbalgarh is situated 82 km northwest of [[Udaipur]] by road. It was the most important fort in [[Mewar]] after [[Chittorgarh Fort]].

The chief Architect who build this fort was Architect Mandan and he had also documented his style of work in his text, Rajvallabh. At the end he dedicates the book to King Rana Kumbha.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

The fort is among the largest fort complexes in the world, and the second largest fort in India after [[Chittor Fort]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

The early history of the fort could not be ascertained on account of lack of evidence. The earliest name of the fort is believed to be Machhindrapur, while Sahib Haqim, a historian, named it Mahore. The original fort is believed to have been built by King Samprati of the [[Maurya Empire|Maurya]] Age on account of strategic importance during the 6th century. The subsequent history till 1303 AD till the invasion of [[Alauddin Khilji]] is obscure as the fort was insignificant at that time.<ref>[[#Asawa|Asawa 2004]], pp. 2–3</ref>

Kumbhalgarh in its current form was built by [[Rana Kumbha]] who was the Rana of Mewar from the [[Sisodia]] [[rajput]] clan. [[Rana Kumbha]] took the aid of the famous architect of the era, "Madan". Rana Kumbha's kingdom of Mewar stretched from [[Ranthambore Fort|Ranthambore]] to [[Gwalior]] and included large tracts of what is now [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Rajasthan]].  Out of the 84 forts in his dominion, Rana Kumbha is said to have built 32 of them, of which Kumbhalgarh is the largest and most elaborate.<ref name=Verma>{{cite book|title=Forts of India|last=Verma|first=Amrit|publisher=The Director, Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India|pages=30–31|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-230-1002-8}}</ref>

Kumbhalgarh also separated Mewar and [[Marwar]] from each other and was used as a place of refuge for the rulers of Mewar at times of danger. A notable instance was in the case of Prince Udai, the infant king of Mewar who was smuggled here in 1535, when [[Chittor]] was under siege. Prince Udai later succeeded to the throne. The fort remained impregnable to direct assault.

[[Ahmed Shah I]] of Gujarat attacked the fort in 1457, but found the effort futile. There was a local belief then that the Banmata deity in the fort protected it and hence he destroyed the temple. There were further attempts in 1458–59 and 1467 by [[Mahmud Khalji]], but it also proved futile. [[Akbar]]'s general, Shabhbaz Khan, have taken control of the fort in 1576 on the orders of [[Man Singh I]] after the Mughal victory in the [[Battle of Haldighati]]. But it was recaptured by [[Maharana Pratap|Pratap]] in 1585 through Guerilla warfare when [[Akbar]] was far away in Lahore. In 1818, an armed band of ''[[sanyasi]]s'' formed a garrison to protect the fort, but was convinced{{clarify|date=March 2021}} by [[James Tod]] and the fort was taken over by the British and later returned to Udaipur State. There were additions made by Maharanas of Mewar, but the original structure built by Maharana Kumbha remains. The residential buildings and temples are well-preserved.<ref name=Verma/> The fort is also known to be the birthplace of Maharana Pratap.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Fantastic 5 Forts: Rajasthan Is Home to Some Beautiful Forts, Here Are Some Must-See Heritage Structures|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-3191827171.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924204252/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-3191827171.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|access-date=5 July 2015|date=28 January 2014|publisher=DNA : Daily News & Analysis|via=[[HighBeam Research]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

| caption1 = Vedi Jain temple

| caption2 = 52 Chatries Jain Temple

Built on a hilltop {{convert|1100|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level on the Aravalli range, the fort of Kumbhalgarh has perimeter walls that extend {{convert|36| km|mi|abbr=on}}, making it the second longest wall in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/view-from-the-clouds/article3232075.ece|work=The Hindu|date=7 May 2006|access-date=4 June 2015|title=View from the clouds}}</ref> The frontal walls are fifteen feet thick.  Kumbhalgarh has seven [[fortified gateway]]s.  There are over 360 temples within the fort, 300 ancient [[Jain]] and the rest [[Hindu]].  From the palace top, it is possible to see kilometers into the [[Aravalli Range]]. The sand dunes of the [[Thar Desert]] can be seen from the fort walls.

 

According to popular folklore, Maharana Kumbha used to burn massive lamps that consumed fifty kilograms of [[ghee]] and a hundred kilograms of cotton to provide light for the farmers who worked during the nights in the valley.

Lakhola Tank is the most notable tank inside the fort, constructed by Rana Lakha during 1382–1421 CE. It is located in the Western side of Kelwara town and measures {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} in length to {{convert|100|m|mi|abbr=on}} to {{convert|200|m|mi|abbr=on}} in width.  The tank had a depth of {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}} during independence and since then has been raised to {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Aaret Pol is the gate on the western side, Halla Pol with an downward slope from the entrance, Ram Pol and Hanuman Pol near Bavadi are the major gates of the fort. There are inscriptions on the foot of idols in Hanuman Pol detailing the construction of the fort. Badshahi Bavdi is a stepped tank, have been built after the invasion of Shahbaz Khan in 1578, the general of [[Akbar the Great]] to provide water to the troops.<ref>[[#Asawa|Asawa 2004]], pp. 13–15</ref> Most buildings are visible from the Ram Pol, which is considered an architectural specimen.

A Ganesh temple built on a {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} platform and is considered the earliest of all temples built inside the fort.<ref>[[#Asawa|Asawa 2004]], p. 15</ref> Neel Kanth Mahadeva temple is located on the eastern side of the fort built during 1458 CE. The central shrine of Shiva is approached through a rectangular enclosure and through a structure supported by 24 huge pillars. The idol of Shiva is made of black stone and is depicted with 12 hands. The inscriptions indicate that the temple was renovated by Rana Sanga.<ref>[[#Asawa|Asawa 2004]], p. 16</ref>

Parsva Natha temple (built during 1513), Jain temple on the eastern side and Bawan (52) Jain temples and Golera Jain temple are the major Jain temples in the fort. Mataji temple, also called Kheda Devi temple is located on the southern side of Neela Kanth temple.<ref>[[#Asawa|Asawa 2004]], pp. 18–19</ref> Mamdeo temple, Pital Shah Jain temple and Surya Mandir (Sun temple) are the other major temples inside the fort.<ref>[[#Asawa|Asawa 2004]], pp. 22–23</ref>

The Rajasthan Tourism Department organizes a three-day annual festival in the fort in remembrance of the passion of Maharana Kumbha towards art and architecture. Sound and light shows are organized with the fort as the background. Various concerts and dance events are also organised to commemorate the function. The other events during the festival are Heritage Fort Walk, turban tying, tug-of war and ''[[mehendi]] mandana'' among others.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kumbhalgarh Festival: It's Time to Gear Up, as This Cultural Fiesta, Held at One of the Most Famous and Historical Forts of Rajasthan, Is All Set to Open Its Doors to the Public|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-3192075401.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924204254/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-3192075401.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|access-date=5 July 2015|date=28 January 2015|publisher=DNA : Daily News & Analysis|via=[[HighBeam Research]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>