Built by Rana Kumbha in mid 15th century, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important bastion of Mewar, after Chittaurgarh. Covering an area of 12 sq km, this fort fell only once to the army of Akbar and that too because the water supply of the fort was contaminated by the enemy forces. Even today the fort is reached with some difficulty so its inaccessibility when it was built can be imagined. It served as a refuge for the rulers of Mewar in times of strife.
The fort lies 1,100 metres above sea level and enclosed within its fortified ramparts are palaces, temples, fields, water sources and farms fully self-contained to withstand a long siege. Kumbhalgarh provides an excellent view of the countryside where many fierce battles were fought. It also has its significance of being the birth place of Maharana Pratap.
