Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

ARCHITECTURE

Kumbhalgarh : It was the most important citadel of Mewar after Chittorgarh. Ranges of the Aravali mountains protect this impreg- nable fortress. 13 monuments and peaks surround it and it is built on the topmost ridge. Seven great gates stand sentinel at the ap- proaches, and seven ramparts, one within the other, with walls and bastions and immense watch towers make this fort strong and impregnable. Udaipur : Birthplace of the great Maharana Pratap. There are five main gates in the city wall. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1567. Ranthambhor : It stands on the top of a hill, 700 feet above its foot, 12 km north-east of Sawai Madhopur, in the midst of a dense forest. This fort, renowned for various battles between the Rajputs and Muhammadan rulers of Delhi, was built in 944 A.D. by a Chauhan ruler, Sapaldksh. The fort was captured in 1194 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak who had to surrender it to Rajput forces subsequently. In 1249, Ghiyas-ud-din Balban attempted to capture Ranthamb- hor, but was unsuccessful. In 1301, Allauddin Khilji made a siege of Ranthambhor which was under Rana Hamir. Rana Hamir's wife Rangadevi performed 'johar'. The Rana was slain in the battle. Ajmer : Was first sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024 A.D. In 1198 it was again sacked by Muhammad Ghori. Bundi : The fort built in 1342 is square in plan with a large bastion at each corner. The walls are 14 feet thick. Strongly built and cre- nallated with parapets 6 feet high. Jodhpur : Founded by Rao Jodha, son of Raja Ranmall in 1459. The fort stands on a rocky hill. Bikaner : The city is encircled by imposing battlements. The fort was built by Raja Rao Singh (1571-1611). It is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, standing out above the high defeil- sive wall, about 30 feet wide. Jaisalmer : It is situated amidst the desert. It was built by Maharawal Jaisal. It has regular supply of water through a few wells inside. There are 99 strong bastions along the fort wall. Amber : Ancient capital of Jaipur state. The Jaigarh fort here is rumoured to hide the treasures of its rulers. Jaipur : Nahargarh or Tiger fort. It served as a link between the old capital Amber and Jaipur. Bharatpur : Fort built by Raja Sirajmal was impregnable because" of its massive double ramparts which were surrounded by a tre- mendous moat 150 ft wide and 59 feet deep and having double protection of an inner moat around central palace fortifications. The fort has 34 lofty mud bastions and nine gates. The fort withstood many onslaughts of British forces. Deeg : The strong citadel with towering walls and bastions, almost in the heart of the town, was built in 1736. UTTAR PRADESH Kalinjar : In the district of Banda. One of the oldest forts in India. In 1023 A.D. it was attacked by Mohammad of Ghazni. Emperor Humayun attempted to capture it from 1530-45. In 1549 captured by Akbar. Agra : It is a formidable fort, with vast walls, seventy feet in height, and a mile and a half in circuit, with imposing turrets and noble gateways. The outer wall is surrounded by a deep and wide moat.

cavalry troops would be employed in forcing a passage through the various gateways of the fortifications. If these endeavour do not bear fruit, then the use of fire might be made. Firearms could be shot at the defenders of the fortress and into its interior. Kautilya suggests that the tails of the birds which have their nests in the fort walls could be tied with inflammable powder (agniyoga) which when deposited on the roofs of the houses; would ignite and reduce the whole building to ashes. This could cause chaos inside the fort which then could be attacked and captured. Elephants were largely used for siege operations. These ani- mals were used for demolishing the fort walls. They were particu- larly trained for this purpose. At a signal from their leader these animals rushed towards the walls and gates and pressed them- selves against them. In order to protect the fort gates from the attack of enemy elephants, special nails were fixed on the thick fortgates on the outer side. These nails were termed as 'Indra Kila'. During the medieval period the cannons were largely employed in the siege operation. Since it was often difficult to carry the guns and cannon to a convenient place on a sloping terrain to attack a hill fort sapping and mining was used as an important device to cause breaches in the rampart. This method was used by Akbar in the siege of Chittor in 1567-68. Sometimes elevated platforms were erected to attack the forts effectively. RAJASTHAN The most attractive feature of Rajasthan is the fortified cities and palaces. Not only major cities, but even small towns and large villages had their forts and protective ramparts. Most palaces were built within the fort with the city around it protected by a fortified wall. Some forts were built on a hill overlooking the city such as in Jodhpur and Alwar. At Amber and Bundi the ramparts start at the base of the hill, the palace stands against the hill side, while the fort is on the summit. In Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh and Chittor, the entire settlement is within the fortifications in a close-knit well-organised unit. The fortified cities are enclosed by thick walls, interspersed with watch towers and provided with gates at appropriate places. These gates housed garrisons in their upper storeys. Some forts, such as Bharatpur and Deeg, had moats as a protective device. Chittorgarh : Tradition ascribes building of this fort to Chitrangad Maurya after whom it is named as Chitakot or Chittor. Alter- nately with Ujjain, it was the seat of sovereignty of the Paramara rulers. The first sack of Chittorgarh was in 1303 when Allauddin Khilji attacked the fort for the hand of Padmini, the bewitching beautiful wife of Rana Bhim Singh. She and her entourage entered the funeral pyre johar' to protect their honour. The Rajputs threw open the gates of the fort and descended to fight the hordes of the Khilji ruler with reckless courage. History records that over 50,000 were killed. The second sack took place in 1533 when Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked Rana Bikrampt Singh. Thirteen thousand women and children perished in the johar led by Rani Kasnavati, a Bundi princess and mother of the infant Udai Singh . The third and final sack of Chittor was in 1567 by Mughal Emperor Akbar. All the women committed 'johar'. When Akbar entered Chittor it was a city of the dead. SOME IMPORTANT FORTS