CHITTORGARH FORT

Submitted by- Submitted to-

Ragini Sahu Ar.Devina Agarwal
Srishti Agrawal
B.Arch 3 year
INTRODUCTION TO CHITTORGARH FORT

Chittorgarh
• The chittor fort or chittorgarh is one of the largest forts in india.
fort
• The fort was the capital of mewar and is today situated in the chittorgarh town.
• It sprawls over a hill 180 m (590.6 ft) in height spread over an area of 280 ha (691.9
acres) above the plains of the valley drained by the berach river.
• The fort rises abruptly above the surrounding plains and is spread over an area of Palaces Pols Stambh Temples
2.8 km2 (1.1 sq mi).
• The fort which is roughly in the shape of a fish
• A maximum length of 5 km (3.1 mi) and it covers an area of 700 acres. Rana Kumbha Samadishwara
• The fort is approached through a zig zag and difficult ascent of more than 1 km Padan Pol Vijay Stambh
Palace Temple
(0.6 mi) from the plains, after crossing over a bridge made in limestone.
• The bridge spans the gambhiri river and is supported by ten arches (one has a
curved shape while the balance have pointed arches). Rani Padmini Kumbha Swami
Bhairon Pol Kirti Stambh
• The 305 hectares component site, with a buffer zone of 427 hectares, encompasses Palace Temple
the fortified stronghold of chittorgarh, a spacious fort located on an isolated rocky
plateau of approximately 2 km length and 155m width.
• It is surrounded by a perimeter wall 13 km (8.1 mi) long, beyond which a 45° hill Fateh Prakash
Hanuman Pol
Mira Bai
slope makes it almost inaccessible to enemies. palace Temple
• The fort complex comprises 65 historic built structures, among them 4 palace
complexes, 19 main temples, 4 memorials and 20 functional water bodies.
• These can be divided into two major construction phases. Ratan Singh
Jodla Pol
Sattavish Jain
• Chittorgarh fort is also called as Water Fort. The fort had 84 water bodies, out of Palace Temple
which only about 22 exist today.
Saas Bahu
Laxman Pol
Mandir

Only one round arch

Rameshwar
Other arches are pointed Ram Pol Mahadev
Temple

Kalika Mata
Temple
POLS OF CHITTORGARH FORT
Padan Pol Hanuman Pol Jhorla Pol
notched
parapets for
archers to shoot
at the enemy
army

Jorla pole
Source:http://ww
w.greatchittorgar
h.com/jorla-
pole/

• Padan pole is first pole (gate) of chittorgarh • It has circular bastions at sides and has a flat • This is fifth pole (gate) of chittorgarh fort
fort and it is entry point of the fort. arch. and its adjoint with its next pole , thats why
• The word padan is derived from patwi which • It also has two small niches at the entrance. its called jorla pole.
means first or eldest in rajasthani. • Hanuman Pol is the third entrance gate of the • Consists of two gates joined together. The
• It is also said that a buffalo kid which is known fort. A small temple of Hanumanji is located upper arch of Jorla Pol is connected to the
as pada was brought down with the force of here. base of Lakshman Pol.
the people of first sack by Allauddin khilji, • It has very less ornamentation and is • It is said that this feature has not been
thats why its called padan pole. cranellated at the top. noticed anywhere else in India
• During the second siege, Prince Bagh Singh
died at the Padan Pol in 1535 AD.

Bhairon Pol Ganesh Pol laxman Pol Ram Pol

Laxman pol Ram pol

Source:http://www.greatchittorgarh.com/lakshman-pole/ Source:http://www.greatchittorgarh.com/ram-pole/

• Bheron pole is second gate of chittorgarh fort. • This pol has hexagonal bastions at the end and is • Lakshman pole is sixth gate of chittorgarh • Ram pol(main gate)-This is seventh
• By passing through padan pole , one will very ornamented. fort and its jointed with jorla pole. pole of chittorgarh fort. Main entance
reach at Bheron pole. • It has decorative elephant bands at the end and has • After passing through jorla pole and going of the fort.
• Lord Bheron statue is near it thats why it is bands of flowers at the sides.
with shart turn we reach at lakshman pole.
called bheron pole. • It is supported by a flat arch.
• It is decorated by animal reliefs.
• Its named lakshman pole because a
• It is supported by hexagonal bastions and is temple dedicated to lord lakshman ,
made of flat arch supported by two brackets. younger brother of lord ram is situated
inside this pole.
RANA KUMBHA PALACE RANI PADMINI PALACE

• Rana Kumbha Palace is a huge structure, built inside the Chitorgarh fort area. • Padmini's Palace or Rani Padmini's Palace is a white building and a three storied
• This fort itself is a giant barrier to protect this palace from external aggressions. structure (a 19th-century reconstruction of the original).
• The entire edifice is built of sandstones, which are not of equal proportions. • It is located in the southern part of the fort. Chhatris (pavilions) crown the palace roofs
• This fort will be looking as if it was ruined long back, but it is not as such. and a water moat surrounds the palace.
• The fill up of irregular size of these stones make them look like a ruined one. • This style of palace became the forerunner of other palaces built in the state with the
• But the fort and the palace are still standing on this unparalleled stones. concept of Jal Mahal (palace surrounded by water).
• It has nearly 4 stories, were a central court yard is present which can occupy a 700 • The bronze gates to this pavilion were removed and transported to Agra by Akbar.
members. • Padmini’s Palace, the erstwhile residence of Rani Padmini the embodiment of beauty,
• A special queen house is built here. courage and grace, is situated inside the majestic Chittorgarh Fort. A beautiful lotus
• There are many underground cellars, for storage purpose. pond is located nearby the palace.
• The distinguished part is the large pound built here, for palace utility purposes. • Rani Padmini’s Palace is a compact three storeyed white building, but what is seen
• There is also a large water reservoir built inside this fort area, which is no were seen today is a 19th century reconstruction of the original.
in other parts of Rajasthan. • The palace is surrounded by water, and the inevitable chhatris (pavilions) crown its
• This reservoir was the main water supply for the Chittorgarh Village. roofs.
• There are two high raised towers built here to mark the victory of Chitorgarh and the • This palace is of immense historical importance in the history of Mewar.
other tower is the mark of fame of the Rajputanas in this regions.
• The palace is raised high from a large basement which is in the shape of a rectangle.
• There are many open doors and windows found here. It is believed that these open
doors and windows provide a smooth flow of air throughout its buildings.
• The stone carving works on the victory and fame towers are awesome.
• There are also carving activities on the tower domes, arch doors and open windows.
• Another notifying feature is this palace looks like a step tower, when viewed from
different angles.
• There are many small temples built inside which are uniquely carved on these stones
• Another important features is that there are very less use of bonding past or tartar
used in construction of the entire fort and palaces.
• It is a joint strength of the stone placed in a dynamic mode.
• That why this palace is still standing great in the history of time.
 FATEH PRAKASH PALACE RATAN SINGH PALACE

• The Ratan Singh Palace is attributed to Rana Ratan

Singh II (AD 1528 - 31).
• Build by Maharana Fateh Singh this huge palace is of morden style(1884-1930). This • Located along the Ratneshwar Talab
palace, now a museum, has a rich collection of sculptures from temples and
• it is rectangular on plan and enclosed by a high wall.
buildings.
• The main entrance is facing east through a lofty arch
• It is double storied and rectangular in plan with north facing entrance crowned with two pillared chhatris.
• The palace comprises of courtyards surrounded by
• Each pillar is decorated with a golden coated vase on it rooms, towers, deorhis, etc. Darikhana or Audience has
with fine balcony overlooking the reservoir is on eastern
• The palace bel-butas and bird figures are engraved on the carving in colourful part of second story.
glass • A temple known as Ratneshwar Mahadeva Temple is on
the north of the main gateway, which comprises of a
• On the upper storey the Wooden lattice windows have been constructed keeping garbhagriha, an antarala and a mandapa.
eye views the parda system (veil system) in such a manner that the person inside can • The exterior of the temple is beautifully carved.
view outside but the outsider can not look inside.

• Ancient stone icons(statues),weapons,potraits and models related to arts and culture

of mewar and full size potraits of legends of mewar are exhibited in the museum.

4 domes in the 4 corners of

the palace

Wooden lattice
windows have been
constructed keeping
eye views the parda
system (veil system)

The Fateh Prakash Palace on Chittorgarh Fort

The Ratan singh palace at chittorgarh fort
Source:https://www.chittorgarh.com/picturegallery/detail.asp?iType=41&iPic=246&iTypeName=Fate
http://tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/admin/assets/ugc/city/explore/80.jpg
h%20Prakash%20Palace&iPicName=Fateh%20Prakash%201
 VIJAY STAMBH KIRTI STAMBH
• The Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) or Jaya • Tower of Fame (Kirti
Stambha, called the symbol of Chittor and a Stambh) – A 22-meter high
particularly bold expression of triumph, was tower, Kirti Stambha was
erected by Rana Kumbha between 1458 and built by a Jain merchant,
1468 to commemorate his victory over Jijaji Rathod. Kirti Stambha
Mahmud Shah I Khalji, the Sultan of Malwa, in is dedicated to Adinath,
1440 AD. who was the first and most
• Built over a period of ten years, it raises 37.2 famous Jain tirthankar.
metres (122 ft) over a 47 square feet (4.4 m2)
• The "Kirti Stambh" was built
base in nine stories accessed through a narrow by Maharana Kumbha in
circular staircase of 157 steps (the interior is also 1440 AD to celebrate his
carved) up to the 8th floor, from where there is victory over Mohammad
good view of the plains and the new town of Khalji. The pedestal of the
Chittor. tower is 10 ft high and the
• The dome, which was a later addition, was tower stands at a height of
damaged by lightning and repaired during the 122 ft and is 30 ft wide at
19th century. the base
• The Stamba is now illuminated during the
• structure with a cramped
evenings and gives a beautiful view of Chittor stairway of 54 steps and is
from the top. full of figures from Jain
• This is a patriotic masterpiece built to memorize pantheon. The tower is
the victory of the Kingdom over the intruder built in the Solanki style.
Mohammed Khilji.
• It is richly carved outside and inside and outside • This Jain tower has a
with puranic depictions of gods and goddess complicated structure with
like ardh narishwar, uma maheshwar, laxmi carvings, niches and
Narayan, brahma, savitri, harihar pitamah and balconies. The carvings on
Vishnu’s various incarnations are engraved and the tower are the naked
figures of various Jain In the lowest floor of
also scenes and persn from Ramayana and
teerthankars. The top most the tower, figures of
Mahabharata details are inscripted. floor of the tower is an the various
tirthankars of the Jain
• Each of the nine storeys has doorways leading observation hall, which pantheon are seen in
into colonnaded balconies. Designed by an offers great views not only special niches formed
to house them
architect called Jaita in the Jain revivalist style, of the citadel but also of
the tower is built of quartz and compact the surrounding area.
limestone abundantly found in Chittor. The
colonnaded top storey has a statue of a kanya
(young girl) surrounded by gopis (milkmaids) in Kirti sthumb

dancing postures playing various musical Source:author

REFERENCES:
instruments. Black marble tablets in this floor
• http://www.rajasthandirect.com
contain shlokas (verses) tracing the genealogy
• http://www.culturalindia.net
of Chittor rulers. However, most of the slabs
• http://hillfortsrajasthan.nic.in
have been defaced and only one is still in its
• http://www.tourismguideindia.com
original condition. The fifth floor contains reliefs
• http://www.greatchittorgarh.com
of the builders of the tower, and a simple
• https://www.chittorgarh.com
staircase which leads right up to the top
• https://en.wikipedia.org
connects all the storeys.
• www.chittortoday.com
• This tower is the piece-de-resistance of
• www.greatchittorgarh.com
chittaurgarh. It is also referred to as Vishnu
• www.udaipur.org.uk
Stambha -- "Tower of Vishnu" in other texts.
• indiaopines.com