Chittorgarh: The Devoted Fort

Chittorgarh, renowned for its tales of sacrifice and valour, is also a remarkable testimony to secular harmony and religious heritage that flourished over centuries. Beyond battles and sieges, the fort and its surroundings are dotted with numerous temples, talabs (reservoirs), kunds (water tanks), and temple complexes; some intact, others abandoned or in ruins, each narrating stories of devotion, culture, and royal patronage.

The Legend of Meera Bai: Devotion and Defiance

One of the most inspiring figures linked to Chittorgarh’s spiritual legacy is Meera Bai, the saint poetess and princess of Merta. Married in 1513 AD at age 14 to Maharaj Kumar Bhoj Raj Singh Sisodiya, the eldest son of Rana Sanga, her story is one of profound devotion.

As a child, Meera Bai was deeply attached to the idol of Lord Krishna, whom she considered her true husband, an attachment sparked by a childhood curiosity and nurtured with daily conversations and care for the idol. This devotion distanced her from worldly matters early on. After losing her mother at age nine and being cared for by her grandfather, Rao Dudha of Jodhpur, family pressures sought to quell her spiritual fervour through marriage. Bhoj Raj, a lover of music and poetry and a protector of Meera’s faith, became her husband and strongest ally.

While Bhoj Raj encouraged Meera’s bhajans and encouraged her to attend midnight religious gatherings at the Kumbha Shyam Temple complex, tragedy struck in 1526 AD when he died in battle. Rana Sanga, honouring both Meera and his son, built the Krishna Temple, now famously known as the Meera Temple, where Meera spent her days in prayer with her companion Sakhi Lolita.

After Bhoj Raj’s death, internal court conflicts arose, particularly from Vikramaditya Rana Sanga’s younger son, who coveted Meera. To protect her, especially after Rana Sanga's death, Karnavati, Vikramaditya’s mother and Bhoj Raj’s stepmother, escorted Meera out of Chittor through the Suraj Pol. Meera left behind her beloved Girdhaar with Karnavati and journeyed to Merta, then Vrindavan, where she ultimately vanished, believed to have become one with Lord Krishna. Her unwavering devotion remains a timeless message of love and faith from Chittorgarh. The most popular saying in Chittor is that "Luck left Chittorgarh the day Meera Bai was asked to leave, and she had left her Girdhar behind." It is deemed true that not long after a lot many years since she left the fort, the fort was captured by Bahadur Shah in 1535, leading to the Jauhar led by Rani Karnawati.

The Kumbha Shyaam Temple: Architectural and Spiritual Jewel

The Kumbha Shyaam Temple holds a special place in Chittorgarh’s religious landscape. Originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu by Rana Kumbha, the temple later came to honour Krishna through Meera Bai’s profound influence on Vaishnavism. Its intricate carvings portray vivid stories from the Puranas, illustrating mythological narratives with delicate architectural finesse.

The temple was a favoured site where Chittorgarh’s queens performed their daily worship and continues to be a place of active devotion, with pilgrims and locals alike offering prayers.

The Talabs and Kunds: Ancient Reservoirs of History and Myth

Chittorgarh’s Talabs and Kunds, though no longer pristine, are integral to its historical fabric. Notable among them:

Mandakini Kund, Bhimlat Kund, and Surya Kund each carry centuries-old associations.
The Surya Talab was a royal bathing spot for kings.
The Mandakini Kund was venerated by queens.
The Vishnu Talab remains a popular site.
The Gaumukh Kund, the largest surviving reservoir, is named after the cow-head-shaped water inlet. Located near the Samadhiswara Shiva Temple, itself a site of ancient spiritual significance linked to Mahabharata legends and devotion of Bhim, Arjun, and Draupadi, this Kund is a testament to Chittorgarh’s mystical past.

The Samadhiswara Temple was reconstructed by Rana Kumbha after the devastation wrought by Alauddin Khilji’s siege nearly a century earlier.

Sacred Temples of Shiva and Devi

In addition to Vaishnavite sites, Chittorgarh is home to numerous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. Among these, the Kalika Mata Temple and Amba Devi Temple stand out for their religious importance and architectural beauty, continuing to attract devotees and tourists.

The Impact of Invaders on Chittorgarh’s Religious Sites

Despite its spiritual richness, Chittorgarh’s temples did not remain untouched by history’s turmoil. Invaders, especially during the Mughal sieges, caused extensive damage. It is recorded that Akbar destroyed at least 56 temples during his conquest, all of which were originally constructed or patronised by the Sisodia royal family, attesting to both the scale and the cultural loss endured.

A Structure Near the Meera Temple

Adjacent to the Meera Temple, remnants of structures from Chittorgarh’s golden era remain, evoking the spiritual ambience that once flourished here. These ruins symbolise resilience amidst destruction, a poignant reminder of the fort’s layered past.

Visiting Chittorgarh offers much more than a glimpse of heroic sacrifices; it reveals a vibrant canvas of religious tolerance, royal patronage, and poetic devotion. From the sanctity of Meera Bai’s story to the delicate art of the Kumbha Shyam Temple and the tranquil waters of ancient Kunds, Chittorgarh invites travellers not only to witness history but also to connect deeply with the spiritual soul of Rajputana. Here are some of the photos I clicked.

This Chambhuja is dedicated to Rana Kumbha in front of the Kumbha Shyam Temple.

A structure near the Meera Temple

Architecture at the Meera Temple

Meera Bai's Original Girdhar

Pillars of the Kumbha Shyaam Temple

Vishnu Talab

Gaumukh Kund

Nandi at the Shiva temple

Samaddhiswara Temple

The temple was destroyed by Akbar.

The Reva Cries

Roopmati had watched the troops leave. She had stood behind the chief queen as she traditionally bid goodbye to her sons. She had waited for the Sultan to come to her. He did. He was confident that the sudden advancement of Akbar’s foster brother Adham Khan could be curbed. It was not war, just precaution. He reassured her. Malwa would never bow to the Timurids. And he would not let anything happen to her. To Her. Roopmati felt suffocated by her husband’s affectionate hug. She felt trapped in the scrutinising eyes of all the people in the palace. Angry, blaming eyes. She tried to pace herself and sing, but her voice cracked in fear. Her melody was drowned in tears. Every evening, a messenger would come to the chief queen with the news of war. Roopmati was kept in the darkness. She was not told about anything. She knew the rumours. She was a witch. A temptress who caused doom to the Sultan of Malwa. She was a spy of the enemy planted in his life to destroy him. She wondered if he came b...

Rani Padmini: The Valiant Queen

This story is a retelling of some parts of Malik Mohammad Jayasi's Padmavat, which was a historical fiction poem written in 1540, an odd 200 years after the siege of Chittorgarh by Allauddin Khilji. Historically, the Rajputs of Mewar didn't keep accounts of their queens, even by name, so the name Padmini or Padmavati was made up by Jayasi to represent the women of Chittor who chose the Jauhar. Historically speaking, Allauddin Khilji wanted the trade route to Surat for himself, which went through Mewar and Rana Ratan Singh, a patron of art, was not known for his military skills. So when Khilji surrounded the fort, the only way out was the Saka and Jauhar. Rani Padmini's Jauhar, as it is now popularly called, is also not the first Jauhar Khilji witnessed. The Jauhars of Ranthambore and Jaisalmer happened before he attacked Chittorgarh. Also, the act of Jauhar happened as early as the Greek invasions of Porus's state, when it is described as the "Mass immolation of Sa...

The Emperor's First Wife

Ruqaiya Sultana Begum was born to Babur's second surviving son, Hindal Mirza, and his wife, Sultanam Begum, in 1542 C.E., merely a few months after Hamida Banu gave birth to the heir Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar. She was well-versed in Persian, Urdu and Arabic and was attracted to poetry and music. Being a proud descendant of the Timurid clan, most of Rukaiya's childhood was spent in Kabul, near the Bagh E Babur, built by Babur himself. From early childhood, she had seen the struggle of her family to regain their lost power in Hind. In 1551 C.E., just after her father died young at a battle for Humayun, leaving her and her mother in the harem of the emperor, it was Hamida Banu who wanted the marriage of Rukaiya to her first cousin, Akbar. Theirs was the first in-house marriage of the Mughals, soon to be followed by many more in the generations to come. At the mere age of nine, she had married the crown prince, and when Humayun won back Lahore, she was fifteen. At the mere age ...

Sisodiya: Kings, Queens and Princes (1538 - 1597)

I am back with another History post, this time it is on the wives and sons of Rana Udai Singh II of Mewar, his son and heir Maharana Pratap and Rana Amar Singh. This is a continuation of the Sisodia Family History I posted some time back. The information has been taken from Annals of Mewar by James Todd, Maharana Pratap by B.N. Rana, and Maharana Pratap by Rima Hooja. Udai Singh II was the son of Ranisa Karnawati and Rana Sangram Singh. He was born on 4th August 1 522, at Chittorgarh and died on 28th February 1 572 at Gogunda . He was the Ruler of the Sisodia Dynasty. He is believed to have 56 sons and 2 5 wives, apart from the many insignificant queens in his Rani Mahal. Here is a list of his main queens and their sons. Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara of Jalore was his chief queen and consort. Her son is Maharana Pratap. He was married to her before he went to war with Banbir, as her father, Akshayraj Rao, was a friend and ally of his father, Rana Sanga. Saj...

Charumati's Love

T his is written based on folklore. This is a representative work of fiction and does not claim any historical happening in the conversations. This is to show the spirit of the women of Rajputana. The year 1657. Shah Jahan had taken ill and was rumoured to be dying in Agra Fort. He was about eighty, and the pressure of having an empire had taken a toll on his body. The seat of power was slowly shifting from Agra to Delhi since the prominence of the Laal Quila had increased, and if the news spread was to be believed, his sons were in a battle for the throne already. It was time each king chose sides once again. Dara Sikhoh was the eldest and the righteous Heir to the throne. He was believed to be a man who held high morals and was hence respected by both enemies and allies as well. Aurangzeb was his sibling and the youngest of the brothers. Short-tempered and cunning, he was always dreaded by the court. As Shah Jahan took ill, Aurangzeb took this as a golden opportunity to wa...

Prithviraj Chauhan: A Saga

Note: This piece is a work of fiction based on folklore and the Prithviraj Raso, an epic saga by Chand Bardai, who happened to be the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan. The dates corresponding to wars, names of people and places are, however, historically fact-checked from various sources, including the works of Todd (semi-historical), The Amir Khusrau and contemporary sources like R.C.Majumder. The incidents are fictionally woven. Rai Pithora Around the year 1140 A.D., Ajmer was ruled by Anangpal of the Tomara Dynasty. Delhi was the seat of power of the Sultanate, which was a constant power struggle for them. He managed to capture briefly most parts of west Rajputana, and present-day Haryana and Punjab were also part of his kingdom. The old king had a son and two daughters. His concern grew as his son Surya was not talented enough to rule Ajmer. His youngest daughter, Princess Karpuri Devi, was married to Someshwar Chauhan of the famous Chauhan clan. Their son, Rai Pithora, helped...

Nawab E Bengal

Background: Nawab Alivardi Khan was ruling Bengal at the peak of Nawabi rule, expanding his strong empire. He had successfully suppressed the Marathas and had given a strong message to the British East India Company’s rising influence at Calcutta. Highly aware of the British Colonial policies across the globe, Nawab Alivardi Khan was strict with his policies and stronghold over Murshidabad, the then capital of Bengal (including present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, and Bangladesh). He had two daughters and no sons. Amina Begum was the elder one, followed by Ghaseti Begum. Amina had three sons with her husband and courtier, Ahmed Khan. The second son, Mirza Mohammad, fondly called Siraj-Ud-Daulah (light of the country)by his grandfather, was born in 1733C.E. He was his grandfather’s favourite because he was born while he won over the Marathas. Alivardi Khan never let the “fortune child” of the family out of his sight. Siraj grew up accompanying his g...

Teeja Saka Chittor Ra

23rd February 1568. The sun rose on the eastern horizon, not with the hope of a new day. But, with the horror of what was to follow. The first rays of the Sun God were met by the chants of “Jai Bhavani!” that echoed in the air of Chittorgarh. The Mewaris knew it was time. Four months back, when the Mughals camped at the base of the fort, a helpless Chittorgarh had watched. Rana Udai Singh had left with his closest aides to make the new city westwards, his capital. If rumours were to be believed, he had left behind a cavalry of 8000 soldiers, under Rao Jaimal of Merta and Rawat Patta of Kelwa, to look over the fort. He had also left behind some of his lesser queens and infant princes, as an assurance to the people that Chittorgarh was invincible. Their safety and hope had lived in Kunwar Pratap. Truth be said, they had already taken the Crown Prince as their King. Ever since Ranisa had left with him till he became the Senapati, he had time and again proved to be a better lea...

Bijolia: Her Home

Journey to Bijolia: Lost Kingdoms and Timeless Temples of Mewar Bijoliya translates to a stop between two cities. Nestled in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district, Bijolia sits 55km from Bundi and 105km from Chittorgarh on the well-travelled Bundi-Chittorgarh road. Once part of Mewar, this seemingly sleepy town guards a rich and layered past: it was ruled from the 11th to the 13th century by the Punwars (or Parmar Rajputs) before falling under the Chauhan dynasty, who shifted the region’s capital to Bhilwara and constructed the imposing fort there. After a brief Chauhan rule, Bijolia was reclaimed by Rana Kumbha and became an integral part of the Mewar kingdom, with the Parmers serving as local Raos, representatives and stewards of the royal house. Despite its history and the famed Bijolia inscriptions (a treasure for historians), Bijolia has never found a seat on Rajasthan’s primary tourist circuit, especially if you’re venturing out by public transport or private car. While a handful of...

Indus Valley Civilisation: An Understanding

The River Of The Rig Veda: The mythical river Sarasvati is an unsolved mystery. Sarasvati means a river full of ponds or lakes. This indicated its course might have been through many such lakes or swamps. There are many references to this river in the Rig Vedas as the " Seventh River of the Aryavarta" and " The mother of floods", indicating it was an important river in the land, probably large and perennial and caused floods. Many excavated villages and cities along present-day parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat indicate the basin of the Sarasvati River. It is described in the Yajur Vedas as the one where the five rivers meet, and in the Brahmanas, there are indications of the disappearance of its lower course and how its large flow decreases. The Mahabharata describes the ultimate drying up of the river before the ushering in of the Kali Yuga . Many Puranas describe the civilisation lying between the Ganga and the Saraswati . ...

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