Padminis Palace, Chittorgarh

It
is built beside the lotus pool with a historical pavilion that changed the history
of Chittor. Ala-ud-din saw the reflection of Queen Padmini from here and so mesmerized
was he, that the quest of possessing her led to a furious battle which saw the
last of Maharana Ratan Singh (husband of Maharani Padmini) and the epitome of
beauty-Cleopatra of Rajasthan, became an eternal legend in the history of chittor
and also of the Mewar state. The feel still lingers on. A thing of beauty is a
joy for ever- and now they don't say this for nothing.
Chittorgarh is
the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. It reverberates with history
of heroism and sacrifice, which is evident as it echoes with the tales sung by
the Bards of Rajasthan.
The main reason for visiting Chittorgarh is its
massive hilltop fort, which is a depiction of Rajput culture and values. The fort
stands on a 240-hectares site on an 180m high hill that rises rapidly from the
plains below.
Thrice a stronger enemy sacked Chittorgarh. The first
sack occurred in 1303 when a Pathan King Ala-ud-din Khilji overwhelmed by the
beauty of Queen Padmini besieged the fort in order to capture the regal beauty.
In 1535 Bahadur Shah the Sultan of Gujarat besieged the fort causing immense
carnage and it is said that 32000 men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and
rode out to face a certain death, and the women folkes committed Jauhar (an act
of self immolations by plunging in a large fire) led by Rani Karnawati.
In 1568 Mughal Emperor Akbar razed the fort to the rubble and once again the history
repeated itself. In 1616 Mughal emperor Jehangir restored the fort to the Rajput
but it was not resettled.
Today a new township sprawls below the hill
on the west side. Chittorgarh is connected by both bus and rail. The bus stand
and the railway are located in the new township.
" Padminis Palace - Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
Palaces Reservation Form "
Rajasthan Palaces Lake
Palace, Udaipur || The
City Palace, Jaipur || City
Palace or Vinay Vilas Mahal, Alwar || The
Taragarh Palace, Bundi || Padminis
Palace, Chittorgarh || Fateh
Prakash Palace, Chittorgarh || Rana
Kumbha Palace, Chittorgarh || Lalgarh
Palace, Bikaner || Umaid
Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur || Jag
Niwas Palace, Udaipur || The
City Palace, Udaipur || Nathmal-ki-Haveli,
Jaisalmer || Patwon-ki-Haveli,
Jaisalmer