Rana Kumbh Palace
Travel to India > Chittaurgarh > Rana Kumbh PalaceChittorgarh has an important place in history. It was called as Chitrakut and was the capital of the Sisoda clan of Rajputs between 8th and 16th century. Rana Kumbh Palace is a beautiful monument in the Chittorgarh fort. The palace is a witness of the Glorious and courageous past of the Rajputs.
The palace gets its name after Maharana Kumbh (1433-68 AD). He undertook massive repairs to the old fort and Palace. The palace was originally built of dressed stone with stucco covering. The palace entrance is called as Tripolia which leads to an open courtyard. The palace has two gates called as Tripolia pol and Badi pol. There is the Suraj Gokhra, Zanana mahal, Kanwarpapa-ka-Mahal in the open courtyard. The palace has stables for horses and elephants. There is a beautiful Shiva temple inside the palace. The most remarkable feature of the palace is that it has a splendid series of canopied balconies.
Maharana Udai Singh who founded Udaipur was born in this palace. As the legend goes, his maid Panna Dhay saved him by substituting her son in his place as a decoy. Her son was killed by Banbir who had come to kill the prince. The prince was carried away in a fruit basket.
There are many underground cellars inside the palace. Rani Padmini committed Jauhar in one of the cellars here to protect herself from Alauddin Khilji.
There is a Nau Lakha Bandar which literally means nine-lakh treasury building. This royal treasure was located near the palace.
There are palaces of Pannadhai and Meerabai in the southern part of this palace complex. Rani Meera, the famous saint poetess also live in this palace. There is an archeological office and museum across the palace. Though the Kumbh Palace is in ruins at present, it is a reminder of the wonderful and glorious past of the Rajputs.