Mewar's eye or the history of the Great Wall of India

Video: Mewar's eye or the history of the Great Wall of India

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

"The Great Wall of China". In ancient times it was called "the eye of Mewar" (Guardian of Death). The oldest and the second longest continuous on the planet.

And it surrounds the Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is located 84 km north of Udaipur, in the state of Rajasthan in western India. The fort is surrounded by thirteen mountain peaks and was built during the 15th century by the Rajput wound of the Maharana Kumbha. Along the entire perimeter, Fort Kumbalgarh is surrounded by a wall 36 kilometers long, and its width varies from 5 to 8 meters! Historians say that eight horses could hardly ride along the wall. There are many giant walls built by great rulers to protect their kingdoms. But the construction of such a large defensive wall around one single fort is an unheard of and unique event.

Let's take a closer look …

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The construction of the protective wall at Kumbalgarh took almost 100 years. It became the second longest continuous defensive wall after the Great Wall of China. Many call it the Great Wall of India. The fort remained inaccessible to all attacking troops in the entire history of India. The fortress was taken only once, when a traitor poisoned the fort's internal water supply, allowing the Mongol Emperor Akbar to infiltrate its defenses.

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Built for over 100 years. When it started in 1143, it collapsed. And then, according to legend, the guru of the ruler Rana Kumbha predicted that the wall would not stand until the gods were appeased. And some pilgrim sacrificed himself. The main gate was erected on the site of his grave.

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On the territory of the fort, at the very entrance, right surrounded by ancient temples, there is a small settlement consisting of colorful houses - apparently, those who serve this fort live here. By 11 o'clock, the tour began to arrive at the fort. groups, and by 12 noon the entire parking lot in front of the entrance was filled with taxis and buses.

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