Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India

encyclopedia

ARCHITECTURE

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.

SOME IMPORTANT FORTS

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.

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.

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.