Our Incredible India Drive - 13 days on the GQ !-22.jpg <br /> <br />
Jahangir returned the fort to Rajputs in 1616 but the damage was done &#8211; forever.<br /> <br />
If you learn the spelling of opulence in Udaipur, you would learn the word 'sacrifice' in Chittorgarh. The founding bastion of the Rajput clan from the 7th century, this fort has seen it all - emergence of the rajputs, their valour, true sense of nationalism, their honour and dignity. If the walls of the fort could speak, she would mention the thriving mewar dynasty from 7th century to 15th century, numerous granaries, artillaries, palaces, temples, schools, numerous overflowing wells, fountains, ponds, 80 bazaars, 18 varieties of artisans, 36 tribes of rajputs... a mini country.<br /> <br />
Not many tourists here &#8211; only locals who had come to the kalika mata mandir. I fail to understand &#8211; does Incredible India mean only palaces ? If a 800 year old India's largest fort which narrates a saga of valour, heroism and selfless sacrifice does not signify Incredible India, what does ? <br /> <br /> <br />
We thank Akhilesh, who refused to accept anything more than his charges, and leave chittor fort. Coming back down the hill, we ask a policeman on the main road the road to Jaipur. Turning left at the next turnaround, pass under a railway bridge and later the chittor byepass - back on the GQ. This time, it was NH79. Time - 5.30 pm.<br /> <br />
We fill diesel at the BPCL Soniyana which had a Ghar Dhaba attached. Buying biscuits and water, we knew we would not stop for dinner till Jaipur. <br /> <br /> <a href=