Chittorgarh Fort

Chittorgarh Fort crowns a hill about 180 metres high above the town of Chittorgarh and is counted as the largest fort complex in India. Its outer wall runs for some 13 km and encloses around 700 acres. Founding is credited to Chitrangad of the Mori (Maurya) dynasty in the 7th century AD, though a legend links its beginnings to the Pandava Bhim, whose blow is said to have opened the reservoir called Bhimlat Kund.

About 65 historic structures survive inside, including four palaces, 19 large temples, 20 big water bodies, memorials and a victory tower. The approach climbs roughly a kilometre past a chain of seven gates, among them Ram Pol, Ganesh Pol, Bhairon Pol and Hanuman Pol, while Suraj Pol serves as the main entrance. The fort endured three great sieges. An evening sound and light show, in Hindi and English, retells its story, from Alauddin Khilji's attack and the sacrifice of Gora and Badal to Rani Padmini and the jauhar.