Mewar, a region that prided itself on it’s resistance to invaders since centuries be it the early Arab armies or the Mughals later. Rana Pratap is the more visible and prominent symbol of a legacy, that has seen such heroes as Bappa Rawal, Veer Hamir, Rana Kumbha and Rana Sangha. A legacy that saw some of the fiercest resistance to Muslim invaders be it Allaudin Khilji or Akbar later on. “Garh to Bas Chittorgarh Hai, Baaki Sab Garhaiya Hai” so goes the saying in Rajasthan. Which loosely translated means –“Only Chittorgarh is a fort, the rest are mere fortresses”.
Technically speaking, Mewar primarily covers the south Western region of Rajasthan, bordering Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Consisting of the districts of Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh and Udaipur, it is flanked by the Aravallis in the North West, and the southern region is mostly hilly, dotted with forests.
The region’s rather rugged landscape could have played a role in shaping the spirit of it’s rulers, and people a tough, never say die, independent streak. Ecologically this is one of India’s most important regions, being a part of the Kathiawar-Gir ecosystem, and containing wildlife sanctuaries like Kumbalgarh, Sita Mata, Bassi and Jaisamand.
While the massive fort of Chittorgarh, and the sweeping grandeur of Udaipur, mark the region’s most visible landmarks, it has some other memorable landmarks.
The huge fort of Kumbalgarh with it’s Great Wall of India, the crafts village of Shilpagram near Udaipur, the temples of Eklingji and Nathdwara, the Jain temples of Ranakpur are equally prominent landmarks too.