84 km from Udaipur, Maharana Kumbha built
Kumbhalgarh Fort in the 15th century. It is the second most important
fort in Rajasthan after the Chittaurgarh Fort. Crowning the Aravalli
Hills, the fort is not so easily accessible with seven great gates that
stand guarding its entrance. Just 6 kms, from the Kumbalgarh Sanctuary,
this mighty fort boasts of some great temples and the Badal Mahal or the
Cloud Palace, which gives scenic view of the city. The unwelcoming topography the fort made it invincible and served as a refuge to the rulers of Mewar, especially the baby king Udai. The fort fell only once to the combined armies of Mughal and of Amber and that too, not for the want of any technicality or chivalry on the part of the brave Rajputs, but for scarcity of drinking water. The birthplace of the legendary leader, King Maharana Partap, marks it with sentimental significance. The 36 km long fortification wall is wide enough to take eight horses at once.