Chittor, an abbreviated form of CHITTORGARH, as used throughout this volume.

Chittor, Legendary Founding of. In mythical times, the princely Pandava warrior, BHIM, a hero of the Hindu epic, the MAHABHARATA, and his brothers went in search of wealth. One day, the small band came to a huge hill that stood alone on a wide plain. There Bhim met two saints, Yogi Nirbhaynath and Yati Kukareshwar. Bhim discovered the former owned the Paras (similar to the legendary philosopher's stone, an unknown substance sought by alchemists for its supposed ability to transform base metals into gold. The liquid from it was believed to be an elixir of life. The quest for the stone in the medieval period, and even into the 17^th century, provided much knowledge that eventually led to the development of chemistry, metallurgy, and pharmacology.) Knowing of the stone's potential, Bhim demanded it from the saint. However, Yogi agreed to give it to Bhim on condition that he construct a fort on the nearby hill overnight. Bhim went to work with the help of his brothers and had almost completed the task; only a little work on the southern portion was left. Yogi, who had been watching their endeavour, knew that if Bhim succeeded, he (Yogi) would have to part with the stone. Evil took the better of him and he quickly told Yati to cry like a cock. When his fellow saint gave a cock's cry, Bhim stopped the work, thinking dawn had come. Disappointed and angry, he stamped his foot, making a large hole in the ground. This cavity is now known as Bhim-lat Reservoir. The place where Bhim's knee rested is called Bhim Ghodi, and the place from where Yati imitated the cock's cry is called Kukadeshwar (which sounds like a rooster's crow).

Chittorgarh (Lower Town), a town and district headquarters, 112 km. northeast of Udaipur, in the southeastern tableland of Rajasthan, east of the Aravalli Hills. On its hilltop, the famous fortress of CHITTORGARH (garh meaning fort), the largest in Rajasthan, dominates Lower Town as it is now called, which sprawls around the base of the hill's western precipice. It has emerged as a modern industrial and agricultural market centre served by road and rail, being a western railways junction. Until 1568, the township of Chittor (its abbreviated name) was also on the hilltop within the fort walls. Today, the fortress is an historical monument, although part of its northern sector remains inhabited. Most of the populace lives below, the old eastern sector being separated from the more modern western sector by the Berach River. The 10-arched Gambhiri Bridge over the river is said to have been built by KHIJR KHAN, son of Sultan ALA-UD-DIN KHILJI who was left in charge of Chittor in 1303 (see CHITTOR, 1^ST SACK). Other sources suggest the bridge was built by Prince ARI SINGH, son of Rana LAKSHA SINGH from Sisoda, both of whom died in the second attack, that time by Sultan BAHADUR SHAH of Gujarat in 1534 (see CHITTOR, 2^ND SACK). The white marble monument of Kazi Chal Pir Shah on this road is where an annual Urs (fair) takes place.

The modern town features several industries, plus a bus depot, railways junction, a post-graduate college affiliated with the University of Rajasthan, a Sainik School (a military training school for boys), and a modern hospital. Agriculture is the principal occupation of the surrounding district, the main crops being wheat, maize (corn, the staple food), sorghum (jowar) oilseeds, cotton, and sugarcane. Fruit and vegetables available in season include custard apple (seetaphal), water melon (tarbooj), muskmelon (kharbooja), paw paw or papaya (papita), tomatoes (tamatar), and cucumber (kakri). The district's industries include a cement works and a vegetable processing plant, stone grinding, cotton ginning and pressing, dyeing and printing of cloth and shoe-making. Iron-ore and limestone deposits are also worked. One of the town's large industries is the refining of zinc which comes from mines to the south (see ZARWAR MINES), and which provided the erstwhile State of Mewar with much of its wealth.

Lower Town came into existence after the fort was abandoned in 1568 (see CHITTOR, 3^RD SACK). Many of the residents, those who survived the final massacre and who did not relocate to the new capital of UDAIPUR, re-established their lives on the flat land beside the river. They continued their farming, often being conscripted into the armies of future Maharanas. The local tribal inhabitants include BHILS, Chamars, and GADIA LUHARS. The latter are the artisans or craftspeople of the town. Men and women work as farmers, as masons in the stone quarries, and in the clothing and shoe-making factories. The main language of Chittor is the Mewari dialect. Chittor's climate, September to November, is very pleasant; December and January are cold. Winter temperatures range from 11ºC to 23ºC, making it the ideal time to visit. February to April, the climate is also fine. However May and June may be too hot for tourists, with a summer temperature range of 23ºC to 44ºC. The average rainfall is about 60 cm. per annum. This historical tourist venue is a day round-trip from Udaipur, however visitors wishing to stop over will find local accommodation comfortable enough, and inexpensive.

Chittorgarh District, an area 10,446 sq. km. northeast in the Udaipur Division; comprises a series of hills running north-south and forming narrow, confined valleys.

Chittori Burj (Bastion), Chittorgarh, about 1.2 km. south of the Chitrang Tank (reservoir), the fort's last and southern bastion; about 50 m. long, it was named after the small artificial hill (Chittori Hill or MOHUR MAGRI) built by the forces of Emperor AKBAR during the third and final sack of Chittor. See CHITTOR, 3^RD SACK.

Chittori Hill (Chittorgarh): see MOHUR MAGRI.