Located 64 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh
is the second most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region.
Cradled in the Aravali Ranges the fort was built in the 15th century by Rana
Kumbha. Because of its inaccessibility and hostile topography the fort had remained
un-conquered. It also served the rulers of Mewar as a refuge in times of strife.
The fort also served as refuge to the baby king Udai of Mewar. It is also of
sentimental significance as it is the birthplace of Mewar's legendary King Maharana
Partap.
The fort is self-contained and has within its amalgam almost everything to withstand
a long siege. The fort fell only once that too to the combined armies of Mughal
and of Amber for scarcity of drinking water. Many magnificent palaces an array
of temples built by the Mauryas of which the most picturesque place is the Badal
Mahal or the palace of the clouds. The fort also offers a superb birds view
of the surroundings. The fort's thick wall stretches some 36 kms and is wide
enough to take eight horses abreast. Maharana Fateh Singh renovated the fort
in the 19th century. The fort's large compound has very interesting ruins and
the walk around it can be very rewarding.
Kumbhalgarh Places of Interest:
K
umbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranakpur
Temples, Haldighati. More
