Kumbhalgarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh Fort lies in the Aravalli hills about 84 km north of Udaipur and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Rana Kumbha built it in the 15th century, and it ranks second only to Chittorgarh among the strongholds of Mewar. Its perimeter wall runs for 36 km, often described as the second longest in the world after the Great Wall of China, and is wide enough for eight horses to ride side by side.

The design is credited to Mandan, an architect at Rana Kumbha's court, and uses seven fortified gates, hidden passages, secret chambers and underground water tanks. The fort fell only once, to combined Mughal and Amber forces who cut off its water. It sheltered the young Udai Singh after Banbir murdered Vikramaditya and seized the throne, and it is known as the birthplace of Maharana Pratap. Within the walls stand Kumbha Palace, the Badal Mahal and the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.