Rana Kumbha Palace

Rana Kumbha Palace, inside Chittorgarh Fort, was the seat of the Mewar rulers. Its origins go back to the 8th century and Bappa Rawal, founder of the dynasty, but most of what stands dates from the 15th century, when Maharana Kumbha rebuilt and enlarged it in local sandstone.

Several stories of Mewar are tied to the palace. Rani Padmini is said to have performed jauhar with other women in its cellars during Alauddin Khilji's attack of 1303, and Udai Singh, later founder of Udaipur, is believed to have been born here and carried to safety in a fruit basket by his nurse Panna Dhai. The poet-saint Meerabai also lived here. The rectangular complex is entered through Suraj Pol and Tripolia Gate. Inside are the Zanana Mahal for royal women, Kanwar Pada Palace for the princes, the Suraj Gokhra lookout, a Shiva temple, the Diwan-e-Aam, stables for horses and elephants, and the Nau Lakha Bhandar treasury. A sound and light show is held after dark.