Kumbhalgarh- A Photo Essay

Picture courtesy Internet

For twenty-seven long years, we carried the image of an elephant’s foot-like fortress in the Aravallis and here we were once again to see, admire and be awestruck by Kumbhalgarh. We now let the pictures tell the story of the pride of Mewar. Here, till date, the locals will tell you, Mewar never bowed its head before any outsider, it has always fought for glory and respect.

The Builders: Kumbhalgarh Fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha of Mewar. There were additions made by each of the later Maharanas of Mewar who followed him. The fort  is of immense sentimental significance for the people being the birthplace the legendary Maharana Pratap.

The Impregnable Fortress: Ahmed Shah I of Gujarat attacked the fort in 1457, but found the effort futile. There were further attempts in 1458–59 and 1467 by Mahmud Khalji, Sultan of Malwa Sultanate, but it also proved futile. Akbar's general, Shahbaz Khan, attacked this fort in October 1577 and after the siege of 6 months, he was able to capture the fort in April 1577. But it was recaptured by Pratap in 1578.

Built on a hilltop 1,100 m (3,600 ft) above sea level on the Aravalli range, the fort of Kumbhalgarh has perimeter walls that extend 36 km (22 mi), making it among the longest walls in the world. The frontal walls are fifteen feet thick, a width enough to take eight horses abreast.

Kumbhalgarh has multiple fortified gateways or Pols. Arait Pol is the first gate from where tourists can enter the fort. The gate is the southern part of the fort. Apart from this are the Hulla Pol, Nimbu Pol, Hanuman Pol, Bhairon Pol, Paghara Pol and more.

 

There are many palaces inside the fort. Of the prominent ones are Rana Kumbha Palace, which was built on the basis of Rajput architecture and Badal Mahal was built by Rana Fateh Singh.

There are over seventy Hindu and Jain temples inside the complex. At the entrance is the Ganesh temple which was built during the reign of Rana Kumbha. It was built near the palaces so that royal people could come and worship Lord Ganesh.

Vedi temple is a Jain temple which was built in octagonal shape. The temple was built by Rana Kumbha and is situated near Hanuman Pol. People have to go to the temple through the stairs as it was built on a raised platform. 

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is situated to the east of the Vedi temple. 

Majestic Aravallis- See the topography is alike the fortress

Having seen some forts and castles abroad, all of which will be pygmies when compared to the forts of Rajasthan, I am more than convinced that there is no place like Incredible India; so give me more, give me more.

SS