The Unexplored Great Wall of India!

by Nainisha Mehta
The Unexplored Great Wall of India!

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Many have heard about the Great Wall of China, but few know of India’s best-kept secret. Kumbalgarh Fort in Rajasthan has the second greatest wall on Earth!

What Is It?

After China, India comes next in line for building great walls. Surprisingly unpopular, Kumbalgarh Fort has a 36 km wall surrounding it. A massive, continuous wall, built around the 15th century is out there in open sight and we still don’t talk about it. The Fort of Kumbalgarh is the second largest fort in Rajasthan after Chittorgarh Fort. It is also the birthplace of the great warrior of Mewar – Maharana Pratap. Built by Rana Kumbha this fortress stood tall against great emperors like Ahmed Shah I and Mahumad Khalji. The wall 15 meters thick built with stone bricks and decorative flourishes lines up the top of this beautiful and a majestic piece of architecture. Rumour is, it nearly took a century for this to be built and with the last extensions added in the 19th century. Winding across hilltops, the wall gives a panoramic view of the Aravalli. If you stare far enough, you may be able to see the desert too.

Also read: Experience The Live Music Festival In Rajasthan This November

Kumbhalgarh Fort
The majestic Kumbalgarh Fort. Source: rajasthandirect.com

What Else?

Behind the wall are over 360 temples. 300 ancient Jain temples and the rest Hindu. There are seven getaways to the fort. The 5 feet long Shivaling in the Shiva Temple inside the fort is popular for its unique stone design. The Jain temples built by the Mauryas boast of elaborate pillars, carvings of Gods, goddesses and apsaras. However, the most notable structure in the fort is the ‘Badal Mahal’. Located on the highest point of the fort, this palace of clouds is a sight of beauty. Up the narrow staircase is the 2 storied palace divided into two distinct portions. The Zanana Mahal for the ladies and the Mardana Mahal for the men of the royal family. Decorated with 19th-century style paintings, this space is also a paradise for art lovers.
Badal Mahal
Badal Mahal at The Kumbalgarh Fort. Source: inogeekblog

Secrets Locked

Where there’s history, there are legends too. One being, that Rana Kumbha had failed several times to start building the fort. According to a spiritual advisor, the fort required a human sacrifice for its completion. A pilgrim volunteered and now his sacrifice is commemorated with a shrine and temple in the Hanuman Pol. It is also believed that the King burnt massive lamps of ghee and cotton to give light to farmers in the night as well.

Temples of Kumbalgarh
Temples of Kumbalgarh. Source: kumbhalcastle.com

Spectacular fortification, splendid architecture and history dating back to the 15th Century, The Great Wall of India should be on your go-to list.