Chittorgarh Fort is one of the splendid ancient buildings in India. It has the capacity of accommodating an entire town within its fortified walls. Today if the travelers visit the fort they will find a settlement within its secure walls. A mammoth gate welcomes the visitors with its open arms. But once upon a time this very gate was a matter of concern for the enemies of Chittorgarh. Owing to the fort the city was rendered almost invincible. Till date Chittorgarh Fort is one of the magnificent forts in India. Located on high hills the travelers will get a bird`s eye view of the entire city. One can also stand on the ruins of the high walls and witness the sun vanishing within the cleft of the hill.

Yet what is remarkable about Chittorgarh Fort is the fact that thrice it has faced a siege and each time the city lost. The main reason behind this was the war strategy of the Rajputs. They always left the secure walls of their fort to launch an attack. Every time they did this it proved fatal for Chittor. The never-ending trouble for Chittorgarh Fort started with Alauddin Khilji and the final blow to its foundation was provided by Akbar. The most famous tale involving this fort is that of Queen Padmini. Enamored by her beauty and intelligence Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittorgarh. Finally to avoid dishonor Padmini along with 30,000 women performed jauhar, an act of mass suicide.

The lake where Padmini stood is a popular tourist spot. Besides the fort and its weapons there are other divisions within the fort that deserve mention. One of the main parts in this fort is its palace. Rana Kumbha Palace is the oldest building within the fort. The palace was built from 1433-68. Plastered stone was used to build this majestic palace. It is surrounded by several important edifices. Suraj Pol is the main entrance that leads to the courtyard. On its right side is the Sabha or council chamber and behind it lies the zenana or the chamber for the ladies.

Amidst several ruined places the tourists will find the central courtyard where the valiant women accepted death over dishonor. But the most striking feature of the fort is its canopied balconies. Stables for horses and separate areas for elephants were also there in the fort. Today they have been reduced to ruins. Numerous visitors across the world come here to witness the impregnable Chittorgarh Fort.

There are various entrances to the fort. But the most prominent ones are Hanuman Pol, Padam Pol, Ram Pol and Bhairon Pol. Near the Bhairon Pol a chhatri is dedicated to two young Rajput warriors, Jaimal and Kala. These two fighters fought till the end to defend Chittorgarh from Akbar while the king Rana Udai Singh abandoned it. This is not an isolated tale of courage in Chittor. Another monument at Ram Pol narrates the bravery of Phatta. Merely 16 years of age and newly married he went to the battlefield undeterred to protect his place from invaders. He died fighting bravely and the women in his family committed jauhar.

Vijay Stambha is a tower signifying the victory of Maharana Kumbha. He won a battle against the Muslim rulers of Malawai and Gujarat in 1440. The tower has nine stores and reaches up to a height of 37 meters. The tower has been beautified with help of sculptures. The inspirations behind these sculptures are the two great Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Another tower that is located within the fort premises is the Kirti Stambha. It is dedicated to the jain Tirthankara, Adinath. It is one of rare religious monuments that are still found within the wall of Chittorgarh Fort.

Padmini Palace belongs to the famous queen of Chittorgarh. Named after her it has been a witness to the great show of strength and bravery. It is the same place where Ala-ud-din Khilji caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror in the presence of Ratan Singh.

The palaces of Jaimal and Patta are also located within the fort.

The visitors are likely to come across a 15th century Jain Temple known as Shringar Chauri Temple. The most striking feature of this temple is its architecture. It has been built with Mughal dome. Monuments like these reflect the artistic taste of the Rajputs. Having a weakness for flamboyance and art they often were great patrons of art and literature.

Fateh Prakash Palace Museum was the place for keeping Rajasthani weapons, sculptures, artifacts and folk arts.

Meerabai Temple belonged to the young widow who worshipped Lord Krishna. In Indian culture Meerabai is considered one of the greatest devotees of Lord Krishna for whom the world began and ended with the god. The temple has been built in an Indo-Aryan style.

Kalika Mata Temple initially dedicated to Lord Surya and then to goddess Kali is another religious structure. Besides these the Gomukh kund is also located in the Chittorgarh Fort.