In the last week, I had written about the Terracotta Warriors in my blog post and there was a mention of Great Wall Of China in it. So this time I had thought of taking you to the Great wall Of China. But then I thought that let me first take you to The Great Wall Of India. Most of you won't be knowing about it.
The second longest wall in the world is in India and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is about 90 km from Udaipur - The city of lakes in Rajasthan state of India. It is a wall built for protection, around the Fort Kumbhalgarh.
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| Kumbhalgarh Fort 📷 Girish Tilak |
Fort Kumbhalgarh is located in Aravalli ranges at a height of 1100 meters. It is situated in Kumbhalgarh wild life sanctuary in Rajsmand district of Rajasthan. It's location and architecture made it one of the strongest forts of Mewar region. It's location made it nearly inaccessible and the hilly terrain makes it invincible.
It was built in 15th century by Rana Kumbh. Not only the fort but even the history of Mewar remembers his name as a warrior hero. He unified various small states in Rajasthan and bravely fought with invaders and various Muslim sultanates. His rule was from Ranthambor from Rajsthan to Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.
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| Maharana Kumbh 📷Commons Wikimedia.org |
He has either built or reconstructed 32 forts in Mewar. He has also constructed Kirti Stambh or Vijaystambh in the Fort Chittor. It is a seven storied beautiful tower erected to commemorate the victory in the battle with Mahammad Khilji.
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| Kirtistambh built by Maharana Kumbh, Chittor garh. 📷Commons Wikimedia.org |
Maharana Kumbh was a Veena ( a musical instrument) player and had a deep interest in music. He was well versed with Ved and Upnishads.
It is said that the Kumbhalgarh site was developed by a Jain prince in 2nd century. But afterwards it was neglected for many centuries in the dense forest. It was Maharana Kumbh could recognize the importance of it's strategic location and importance. So he built a fort on that location. The architect of the fort was Madan, a very well known architect in that period. The construction was going on from 1443- 1458.
At present it is the highest fort in Rajasthan. You can go by road either from Udaipur or from Jodhpur. Both these cities are worth visiting in your Rajasthan tour.
Visitor's vehicles are not allowed inside the fort. There are many gates throughout the vast expanse of the fort and they are known as Pols. So you will be seeing Hanuman Pol, Ram Pol etc.
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| View of the Fort From Parking lot 📷 Girish Tilak |
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| Ram Pol |
There is a residential area inside the fort. You can see many present day houses and buildings inside the fort. But you can't miss the beautiful old buildings which are scattered in the vast area.
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| Inside the fort |
The fort is built on various hills using their natural contours. So at many places it's very steep climb. You can see the difference in levels of road in the above photograph as well.
There are many Hindu and Jain temples in the area. The number is believed to be more than 300!
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| Temple in the fort 📷 Girish Tilak |
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| One of the Temples in the fort. |
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| The Fort |
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| View of the Kumbh Mahal from lower level |
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| Beautiful walls of the fort. |
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| Beautiful walls of the fort. |
From the upper level you can see the vastness of the fort as well as the long wall. Kumbhalgarh is known for the wall, the second longest wall in the world. It is 32- 36 kilometers long wall passing through the forest as well. You can take a complete tour by walking on the wall. But please take a guide with you as there are wild animals in the sanctuary. It will take at least two days to come back to the starting point.
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| View of the Fort and Wall from the upper level. |
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| Fort, wall and the Aravalli ranges. |
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| The Great Wall Of Kumbhalgarh 📷 Girish Tilak |
The wall is so broad at some points that eight horses can walk side by side on it. The interesting fact is that the wall is not straight, but it turns as the hills turn. It is built on different hills and uses their original contours.
On the fort there are some sharp turns so that it will be difficult for enemy to conquer the fort. This fort could be conquered only once and that too, by the deceitful ways of Mugals. But they could not retain it and was taken back by the Rajputs. It surely has a history of many wars and battles and quest for the Power.
There are watch towers at many places on the wall. There are small openings in the wall from where archers can take aim on the enemy.
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| Watch Tower |
The area on the fort is really very large so better to take a guide with you. Guides are available at the ticket counter near the parking area.
There are only walls on the fort, nothing inside the walls. All paintings and artifacts are moved to various museums and hotels.
Near the Pagada Pol is a distinguished place for which all Indians proudly remember this fort. It is the birth place of Maharana Pratap. Maharana Pratap resisted the Mugal Power, fought with Mugal King Akbar through out his life. The famous Haldi ghati battle was fought by Maharana Pratap.
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| Birthplace Of Maharana Pratap |
This building is shown as birthplace of Maharana Pratap. There is one more legend attached to Kumbhalgarh. Panna dayi, a maid to Queen Karnavati and nursemaid of Uday singh (second) saved life of infant king Uday Singh second by sacrificing her son Chandan's life. Then king Uday Singh was brought secretly to Kumbhalgarh for safety. He was raised in Kumbhalgarh in disguise. Later he was crowned in Kumbhalgarh and his son Pratap Singh who later came to be known as Maharana Pratap was born in Kumbhalgarh Fort. There is one place named after Panna Dayi at Kumbhalgarh.
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| Badal Mahal |
The topmost building Badal Mahal is the most recent building on the fort. It was built by the Raja Fateh Singh in 19th century. It has two separate wings, most probably male and female residential places and a passage connected with stairs to these wings.
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| The joining passage |
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| View from Badal Mahal |
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| Windy Window Of Badal Mahal 📷 Girish Tilak |
View from the highest point on the fort is worth climbing all the stairs and steep roads!! They say that if the weather is clear, then we can see even the dessert from this point.
There is a light and sound show in the fort at sunset. Don't miss that. The entire fort is illuminated by lights for one hour after the show. It must be surely a sight for photographers! We could not see it, as we had to leave for Pushkar.
Though there are not any paintings and other artifacts in the fort, Kumbhalgarh is surely a must visit place for the Great wall, the beautiful architecture, Birthplace of Maharana Pratap and the scenery of Aravalli ranges.
The best time to visit Kumbhalgarh is from October to March. Even in the rainy season, it's green and beautiful everywhere, but the roads become slippery. The climb is really steep. So if you have any problem in climbing, it will be advisable if you take a walking stick with you. Don't miss it.
If you want to see most of the temples, then you will have to spare a complete day for Kumbhalgarh. Otherwise 3-4 hours will be sufficient.
Till you come very near to the fort, you won't able to see it. Due to it's special design and the curves of the road such gigantic structure can remain completely hidden. This is also a wonder! This is the reason why this Fort Kumbhalgarh had served as a safe and protective place for the Rajput Kings and always saved them.
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