CHITTAURGARH

also spelled Chittorgarh, also called Chitor, city, south-central Rajasthan state, northwestern India. Served by rail and road, it is an agricultural market centre. Chittaurgarh, formerly called Chitrakut after Chitrang, a chieftain of the Rajputs, lies at the foot of a hill slope on which stands Chitor fort. From the 8th century to the 16th it remained the capital of the state of Mewar and was the stronghold of the Sesodia Rajputs. It was thrice besieged by Muslim attackers: 'Ala'-ud-Din Khalji (1303), Bahadur Shah of Gujarat (1534-35), and the Mughal emperor Akbar (1567-68). In each case the defenders chose death for themselves and jauhar (collective immolation) for their families rather than surrender. After Chittaurgarh's capture by Akbar (1568), the capital of Mewar was transferred from there to Udaipur. Within the Chitor fortress are several palaces, Jaina and Hindu temples, and two exquisitely carved Jaina pillars (the towers of Fame and Victory), erected in the 12th and 15th centuries, respectively. The city has a government college affiliated with the University of Rajasthan. The surrounding area is composed of a series of hills running north to south and forming narrow, confined valleys. Agriculture is the principal occupation. Wheat, corn (maize), sorghum, oilseeds, cotton, and sugarcane are the chief crops; iron-ore and limestone deposits are worked. Pop. (1991 prelim.) city, 71,566.