Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Chittor Fort,Chittorgarh | |
  Chittorgarh Location in Rajasthan, India  Chittorgarh Chittorgarh (India) | |
| Coordinates:24°53′N74°38′E/ 24.88°N 74.63°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District | Chittorgarh |
| Founded by | Chitrangada Mori |
| Named for | Chitrangada Mori |
| Government | |
| • Body | Chittorgarh Municipal Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 41 km2(16 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 394.6 m (1,294.6 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 116,406 |
| • Rank | 91 |
| • Density | 2,800/km2(7,400/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| • Additional official | English |
| • Spoken | Mewari,Rajasthani |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30(IST) |
| PIN | 312001 |
| Area code(s) | +91-1472-XXXXXX |
| Vehicle registration | RJ-09 |
| Website | www |
| uitchittorgarh | |
Chittorgarh(alsoChitrororChittororChittaurgarh) is a major city in the state ofRajasthanin westernIndia.It lies on theBerach River,a tributary of theBanas,and is the administrative headquarters ofChittorgarh District.It was a major stronghold of theRajputState ofMedapata.(modernMewar) The city of Chittorgarh is located on the banks of river Gambhiri and Berach.
Chittorgarh is home to theChittor Fort,the largest living fort in India andAsia.It was sacked thrice; first in1303byAlauddin Khalji,again in1535byBahadur ShahofGujarat,and lastly by theMughal EmperorAkbar in1568.Chittor has been a land of worship forMeera.It is also known forPanna DaiandRani Padmini.[2][3][4]
Geography
[edit]Chittorgarh is located at24°53′N74°38′E/ 24.88°N 74.63°E.[5]It has an average elevation of 394 metres (1292 ft).Chittorgarh is located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the northwestern part of India. It is located beside a high hill near the Gambhiri River. Chittorgarh is located between 23° 32' and 25° 13' north latitudes and between 74° 12' and 75° 49' east longitudes in the southeastern part of Rajasthan state. The district encompasses 350.8 square km (3.17 per cent of the Rajasthan State) area of land.[6][7][8]
History
[edit]Originally called Chitrakuta, theChittor Fortis said to have been built byChitranga,a Mori king.[9][10]
TheGuhila(Gahlot) rulerBappa Rawalis said to have captured the fort in either 728 CE or 734 CE.[9]However, some historians doubt the historicity of this legend, arguing that the Guhilas did not control Chittor before the reign of the later rulerAllata.[11]
Chittor was known as "Chit-Ror"at that time. Between 1251 and 1258,Balbanrepeatedly led troops to Chittor fort.[12][13]Under the orders ofAlauddin Khilji,Ulugh Khanlaid siege toRanthambore,Chittor andBundiforts.[14][15]
In 1303, theDelhi SultanaterulerAlauddin Khiljidefeated the Guhila kingRatnasimha,andcaptured the fort.[16]The fort was later captured byHammir Singh,a king of theSisodiabranch of the Guhilas. Chittor gained prominence during the period of his successors, which includedRana KumbhaandRana Sanga.In 1535,Bahadur Shah of Gujaratbesieged and conqueredthe fort. However Bahadur Shah was not able to hold Chittor for long and the Sisodia's captured it within a short time of his departure.[17]
In 1567–68, the Mughal emperorAkbarbesieged and capturedthe fort.[18]In 1615, as part of a peace treaty between Akbar's successorJahangirand the Maharana of Mewar,Amar Singh I,Mewar accepted Mughal suzerainty and the fort as well as the areas surrounding Chittorgarh were given to Mewar. However, due to the military danger presented by the fort, it was never to be fortified or even repaired.[19]
The Maasir-i-Alamgiri, written by Saqi Must'ad Khan under Mughal patronage, chronicles the reign ofAurangzeband records that on February 22, 1680 (1st Safar, 1091 AH), the emperor ordered the destruction of 63 Hindu temples in and around the city of Chittorgarh.[20][21]
Climate
[edit]| Climate data for Chittorgarh (1991–2020, extremes 1973–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 32.7 (90.9) |
37.5 (99.5) |
41.5 (106.7) |
45.2 (113.4) |
47.5 (117.5) |
46.3 (115.3) |
42.5 (108.5) |
36.9 (98.4) |
39.9 (103.8) |
40.0 (104.0) |
38.0 (100.4) |
34.5 (94.1) |
47.5 (117.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.2 (75.6) |
28.0 (82.4) |
33.8 (92.8) |
38.6 (101.5) |
41.4 (106.5) |
39.0 (102.2) |
33.1 (91.6) |
31.3 (88.3) |
33.2 (91.8) |
34.4 (93.9) |
30.2 (86.4) |
26.5 (79.7) |
32.7 (90.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 6.9 (44.4) |
9.7 (49.5) |
15.2 (59.4) |
20.6 (69.1) |
25.5 (77.9) |
26.4 (79.5) |
24.6 (76.3) |
23.4 (74.1) |
21.9 (71.4) |
17.3 (63.1) |
12.0 (53.6) |
8.0 (46.4) |
17.5 (63.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −0.1 (31.8) |
0.3 (32.5) |
3.8 (38.8) |
12.1 (53.8) |
16.2 (61.2) |
17.2 (63.0) |
18.5 (65.3) |
18.8 (65.8) |
12.4 (54.3) |
6.4 (43.5) |
3.5 (38.3) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 4.3 (0.17) |
2.7 (0.11) |
1.8 (0.07) |
6.3 (0.25) |
11.7 (0.46) |
95.8 (3.77) |
296.8 (11.69) |
270.8 (10.66) |
114.5 (4.51) |
12.0 (0.47) |
4.9 (0.19) |
0.5 (0.02) |
822.1 (32.37) |
| Average rainy days | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 11.9 | 10.7 | 5.1 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 36.5 |
| Averagerelative humidity(%)(at 17:30IST) | 42 | 35 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 42 | 66 | 72 | 62 | 41 | 44 | 45 | 44 |
| Source:India Meteorological Department[22][23][24] | |||||||||||||
Festivals
[edit] |
Maharana was born on May 9, 1540, inKumbhalgarhin Rajsamand district of Rajasthan toMaharana Udai Singh IIand Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara. His birth anniversary (Maharana Pratap Jayanti) is celebrated as full-fledged festival every year on the 3rd day of Jyestha Shukla phase.
Special puja and processions are held in his remembrance on Maharana Pratap Jayanti day everywhere. Several cultural programs such as debate are also organized.
Meera Mahotsav
[edit]Meera Bai(1498–1547) was a devout follower of Lord Krishna, one of the foremost exponents of the Prema Bhakti (Divine Love) and an inspired poet. She was a Rajput princess born in about 1498 in Medta, Rajasthan. Her father, Ratan Singh, was the youngest son of Rao Duda, ruler of Medta, and son of Rao Duda ruler and founder of Jodhpur. Ratan Singh belonged to the Rathore clan. She was married to Bhoj Raj, ruler of Chittor.
Meera Smrithi Sansathan (Meera Memorial Trust) along with the Chittorgarh district officials organise Meera Mahotsav every year on Sharad Purnima day (On Mirabai's birth anniversary) for 3 days. Many famous musicians and singers get together for singing bhajans in this celebration. The 3 days celebration also features puja's, discussions, dances, fireworks.
Teej
[edit]Teej is one of the major festivals in Chittorgarh which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of the monsoon month of Shravan (August). The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the pleasing scent of the wet soil rises into the air. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped by seekers of conjugal bliss and happiness.
Gangaur
[edit]The Gangaur Festival is the colourful and most important local festival of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the State with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva during July–August. Gan is a synonym for Shiva and Gaur which stands for Gauri or Parvati who symbolisessaubhagya(marital bliss). Gauri is the embodiment of perfection and conjugal love which is why the unmarried women worship her for being blessed with good husbands, while married women do so for the welfare, health and long life of their spouses and happy married life.
Jauhar Mela
[edit]The fort and the city of Chittorgarh host the biggest Rajput festival called the "Jauhar Mela". It takes place annually on the anniversary of one of thejauhars,but no specific name has been given to it. It is generally believed that it commemorates Padmini'sjauhar,which is most famous. This festival is held primarily to commemorate the bravery of Rajput ancestors and all threejauharswhich happened at Chittorgarh Fort. A huge number of Rajputs, which include the descendants of most of the princely families, hold a procession to celebrate thejauhar.It has also become a forum to air one's views on the current political situation in the country.
Rang Teras – The Tribal Fair
[edit]Rang Teras is a popular tribal fest of Mewar celebrated on the 13th moon night of the month of Chaitra. A big colorful fair and huge gathering of tribal to rejoice the harvest of wheat has been celebrating Rang Teras is customary since 15th century. It is a thanksgiving festival of farmers. Farmers pay their honor to Mother Earth for providing them food for next year.
Industries
[edit]The city’s industrial sector can be divided into
- Northern sector - Chanderiya Lead-Zinc Smelter is one of the largest zinc-lead smelting complexes in the world. Its current metal production capacity is 610,000 tonnes per annum (525,000 tonnes per annum of zinc and 85,000 tonnes per annum of lead). In the year ended March 2013, Chanderiya produced 443,000 MT of zinc and 60,000 MT of lead. The main products are special high grade (SHG) zinc, continuous galvanising grade (CGG) zinc, prime western (PW) zinc and pure lead. It also produces a number of valuable by-products including silver and cadmium.
- Southern sector - Indore road (Nimbahera road) - many big cement players such as Aditya Birla group, Ultratech cement, Wonder cement by RK group, JK Lakshmi cement, Lafarge Cement are among major industries of the southern industrial complex of the city. In the northern part of city Birla cement works (MP Birla group) also boasts of one of the biggest cement plants of the country.
- Northern Marble sector - The second biggest marble production hub of Rajasthan after Kishangarh, Chittorgarh has one of the biggest production and finishing industries and marble complexes and also a major exporter centre for marble in the country. RIICO industrial area at bypass road and RIICO industrial area chanderiya are big marble industry compounds. All kinds of marble like oynx, Italian marble, Kota stone, famous white marble of Rajasthan are in abundance.
Manpura mines are also a major mines in area. The city also boasts of big marble mines.
- Far north - Soniyana textile industrial area is the newest development in the city in the past 10 years.[25]
Places of interest
[edit]
Chittorgarh Fort
[edit]TheChittor Fortis seated on a 180-metre hill, covers an expanse of 700 acres (2.8 km2). It was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th century CE. There is also a belief that it was constructed by Bhima of the Pancha Pandavas. This fort was the citadel of many great rajput warriors such as Gora, Badal,Rana Kumbha,Maharana Pratap,Jaimal, Patta, etc.[26]
Architectural Features of Chittorgarh Fort
[edit]The Chittorgarh Fort contains towers, reservoirs, and other architectural elements pictured below:
-
Chittor Fort– A panoramic view of the historic fort. -
Kirti Stambha(Tower of Fame) – A Jain monument within the fort. -
Fort Reservoir – One of the fort's water systems. -
Vijaya Stambha(Tower of Victory) – Built to commemorate Rana Kumbha's victory.
Kirti Stambh
[edit]
Kirti Stambh(Tower of Fame) is a 22-metre-high (72 ft) tower built in the 12th century CE. Kirti Stambh is built inside Chittorgarh fort. It is dedicated toRishabha,the firstTirthankaraofJainism.It was built by a merchant and is decorated with figures from the Jain pantheon. It is a seven storied pillar which was built by Biherwal Mahajan Sanaya of Digambar Jain sect. On its four corners are engraved idols ofShri Adinathjiin Digambar style which each are five feet (about 1.5 meters) high and elsewhere are engraved several small idols consecrated to Jain lineage of deities.[26]
Vijay Stambha
[edit]Vijay Stambha,is a huge nine storey tower which was built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the rulers ofMalwaand Gujarat in 1440. The tower is 122 ft (37 m) high and stands on a 10 ft (3.0 m) high base. There are sculptures and carvings on the exterior walls of the tower. The tower is visible from any section of the town below. To reach the top of the tower top one has to climb 157 steps, it offers great view of the surroundings from the top. The inside walls of the tower are carved with images of Gods, weapons, etc.[26]
Rana Kumbha's Palace
[edit]Rana Kumbha's Palace is near the Vijay Stambh. This is the birthplace ofMaharana Udai Singh,the founder ofUdaipur.His life was saved by the heroic act of the maidPanna Dhay,who replaced her son in place of the prince, with the result that her son was killed by Banbir. She carried the prince away to safety in a fruit basket.Rani Meera Baialso lived in this palace. This is the place where Rani Padmini committedjauharwith the other ladies in one of the underground cellars.[26]
Rani Padmini's Palace
[edit]
According to legend,Rani Padmini's Palace is from which theDelhi SultanaterulerAlauddin Khaljiwas allowed to watch a reflection of the Rani by replacing the mirror at such an angle that even if he turned back he could not see the room. Khalji had been warned by the Rani's husbandRawal Ratan Singhthat if he turned back they would cut his neck.[26]
Kalika Mata Temple
[edit]Kalika Mata Templewas originally built in the 8th century for.Surya,the Sun God and was later converted to a temple for mother Goddess, Kali in the 14th century. During the festival days ofNavaratri,fairs are organised and pilgrims from different places come here to pay obeisance at the temple.[26]
Transport
[edit]
The completedGolden Quadrilateralhighway system passes through Chittorgarh, connecting it to most of India. The East-West Corridor (Express Highway) also crosses it. Chittorgarh is situated on National Highway No. 27 & 79. National Highway 27 connects toKotaandUdaipurwith a 2-hour drive, and National Highway 48 connects toBhilwaraandAjmer.
Chittorgarh is also connected to Indore via a 4 lane highway, a 5 hour drive making its easy accessibility to India’s mini Bombay and business hub, Indore via NH56 and then SH156. This highway makes connections with neemuch, mandsaur and Ratlam also. Chittorgarh is also home to South east ASIA’s Largest highway exchange (Diamond crossing or Reethola Chauraha).
Chittaurgarh Junctionis a busy & important junction of Western Railway ofIndian Railways,Ratlam Division. It has direct rail links with all major Indian cities includingAjmer,Udaipur,Jaipur,Jodhpur,Agra,Delhi,Haridwar,Mumbai,Hyderabad,Kolkata,Pune,Chennai,Rameswaram,Yeshwantpur,Ahmedabad,Surat,Vadodara,Indore,Ratlam,Gwalior,Bhopal,Mandsaur,Jhansi,Khajuraho,Rewa,Nagpur,Bilaspur,Kota,andMysore. A daily train to Indore (Veerbhumi Express), and new connections to Ahmedabad are some of the important rail routes of the country. City also enjoys services of Vande Bharat express. The second suburban station of Chittorgarh is at Chanderiya (a locality of city). To decongest heavy traffic on Chittaurgarh junction, many trains are directed from chanderiya station also.
Chittorgarh is well connected to all parts of India by roads. The Golden Quadrilateral Road Project and north–south-East–west corridor expressways pass through Chittorgarh City. The bus stand (bus depot) of Chittorgarh is located between the old and new cities. There are good bus services (private as well as state-owned) available for Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Bundi, Kota, Udaipur, and other major cities.
Rajasthan Roadways (RSRTC)provides a service for visiting areas around Chittorgarh. Rajasthan Roadways also has premier services called Pink Line, Silver line and Sleeper Coaches (Grey Line).
The nearest airport is Udaipur (Dabok Airport). The airport is located 70 kilometres from Chittorgarh and linked by daily air service from New Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Mumbai.
Chittorgarh also has a small airport at Ondawa. (Ondawa air strip) serves some defence and chartered flights.
City has a helipad at reserves police lines.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Chittorgarh City"(PDF).
- ^International dictionary of historic places.Ring, Trudy., Salkin, Robert M., 1965–, La Boda, Sharon. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. 1994–1996.ISBN9781884964046.OCLC31045650.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: others (link) - ^Tillotson, G. H. R. (1987).The Rajput palaces: the development of an architectural style, 1450-1750.New Haven: Yale University Press.ISBN0300037384.OCLC14272201.
- ^Singh, Sarina (2007).India(12th ed.). Footscray, Vic.ISBN9781741043082.OCLC141382100.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Chittorgarh
- ^"Chittaurgarh (Chittorgarh) District Population Census 2011, Rajasthan literacy sex ratio and density".www.census2011.co.in.Retrieved24 March2018.
- ^"Location and Area".chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in.Retrieved24 March2018.
- ^"Chittorgarh District Map".www.mapsofindia.com.Retrieved24 March2018.
- ^abPaul E. Schellinger & Robert M. Salkin 1994,p. 191.
- ^Shiv Kumar Tiwari 2002,p. 271.
- ^Ram Vallabh Somani 1976,p. 44.
- ^Al-Hind the Making of the Indo-Islamic World, p. 230
- ^Al-Hind The Making of the Indo-Islamic World · Volume 1, p. 230
- ^The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians, p. 370
- ^Tabakat-i-Nasiri, p. 124
- ^Banarsi Prasad Saksena 1992,p. 366.
- ^Hooja, Rima (2006).A History of Rajasthan.Rupa & Company. pp. 457–460.ISBN978-81-291-0890-6.
- ^The Great Mughals and their India by Dirk Collier, p. 168-172
- ^The Great Mughals and their India by Dirk Collier, p. 250
- ^Khan, Saqi Must'ad (1947).Maasir-i-Alamgiri.Translated by Jadunath Sarkar. Calcutta: Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal. p. 116.
- ^Sen, A.; Rai, A. N. (2022). "A Geographical Study of Temple Desecration: The Reign of Emperor Aurangzeb in India".Indian Historical Review.49(2): 198–214.doi:10.1177/03769836221136277.
- ^"Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020"(PDF).India Meteorological Department.Retrieved8 April2024.
- ^ "Station: Chittorgarh Climatological Table 1981–2010"(PDF).Climatological Normals 1981–2010.India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 195–196. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 5 February 2020.Retrieved20 January2021.
- ^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)"(PDF).India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M178. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 5 February 2020.Retrieved20 January2021.
- ^"Brief Industrial Profile of Chittorgarh"(PDF).
- ^abcdef"पोर्टल, राजस्थान सरकार".Chittorgarh.rajasthan.gov.in.Retrieved11 August2022.
Bibliography
[edit]- Banarsi Prasad Saksena(1992). "The Khiljis: Alauddin Khilji". In Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami (ed.).A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat (A.D. 1206–1526).Vol. 5 (Second ed.). The Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House.OCLC31870180.
- Paul E. Schellinger; Robert M. Salkin, eds. (1994).International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia and Oceania.Vol. 5. Routledge/Taylor & Francis.ISBN9781884964046.
- Ram Vallabh Somani (1976).History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D.Mateshwari.OCLC2929852.
- Shiv Kumar Tiwari (2002).Tribal Roots of Hinduism.Sarup & Sons.ISBN9788176252997.
External links
[edit]
Chittorgarhtravel guide from Wikivoyage
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| National | |
