Chittorgarh

Chittorgarh is a historic city in the Chittorgarh state of Rajasthan, located at an elevation of 394 metres and dominated by the vast Chittorgarh fort. Sprawling across nearly 700 acres, this hilltop citadel ranks among the largest forts in India and served as the seat of the Mewar Rajputs for more than 800 years. Several legendary rulers, including the famed Chittorgarh king Maharana Kumbha and later Maharana Pratap, shaped its proud legacy. The fort faced three major sieges by Alauddin Khilji in 1303, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat in 1535, and Emperor Akbar in 1568. Each time, Rajput defenders chose resistance, and the acts of jauhar and sacrifice became central to regional identity. Today, Chittorgarh fort stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring Rana Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, massive reservoirs, the nine storey Vijay Stambh, and several sacred Chittorgarh temple complexes. The modern town below remains modest, and most visitors focus on exploring key Chittorgarh places during a one or two night stay.