Kumbhalgarh Fort
Located 64 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh
is the second most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar
region. Cradled in the Aravali Ranges the fort was built in the
15th century by Rana Kumbha.
Because of its inaccessibility and hostile topography the fort
had remained un-conquered. It also served the rulers of Mewar as
a refuge in times of strife. The fort also served as refuge to the
baby king Udai of Mewar. It is also of sentimental significance
as it is the birthplace of Mewar's legendary King Maharana Partap.
The fort is self-contained and has within its amalgam almost everything
to withstand a long siege. The fort fell only once that too to the
combined armies of Mughal and of Amber for scarcity of drinking
water. Many magnificent palaces an array of temples built by the
Mauryas of which the most picturesque place is the Badal Mahal or
the palace of the clouds.
The fort also offers a superb birds view of the surroundings.
The fort's thick wall stretches some 36 kms and is wide enough to
take eight horses abreast. Maharana Fateh Singh renovated the fort
in the 19th century. The fort's large compound has very interesting
ruins and the walk around it can be very rewarding. |