Rani Padmini of Chittorgarh was a legendary beauty whose reflection caught by the Delhi Sultan Alla-uddin-Khilji had driven him to attack Chittorgarh to lustfully acquire the queen. Many faces of renowned beauty have triggered of great wars. Helen of Troy, Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, are examples of women known for their beauty as well as intelligence and strong emotions that caused wars to be waged for years. Padmini, the Queen of a noble ruler, Ratansen was unfortunate to become the victim of the Sultan’s lust. Instigated by the crafty designs of the court musician of Ratansen who was banished from his empire, Alla-uddin-Khilji made repeated attacks to the heavily fortified Chittod. The Sultan laid siege of the fort aroused by the desires of the queen only to be thwarted by the mass Jauhar committed by Padmini as well as other Rajput women. The men fought valiantly against the sultan’s army but perished in the battle. Rani Padmini’s Palace of Chittorgarh is an important tourist spot.
Padmini’s Palace is built beside a lotus pool and offers a panoramic view of Chittorgarh. It is beautiful palace of the legendary beauty, who was a great patron of art and culture. An able queen of Ratansen, Padmini was worldly wise too. She too easily saw into the scheming plans of the Sultan when he approached Ratansen to seek permission to meet her. The regal beauty partly consented to make appearance before the Sultan by casting her reflection in the lotus pool. Mesmerized by her beauty the Sultan made plans to kidnap her husband who was thereafter cleverly rescued by the Rajput generals. But the aroused Sultan turned every leaf to besiege the fort and ultimately met with the burnt ashes of the queen.
Padmini’s Palace is a 19th century three storeyed white edifice. It is surrounded by a pool of water and topped by pavilions on its roof. It was perhaps set an example of the jagmahals which were later built. It was from this palace, Mughal Emperor Akbar carried off the huge bronze gates that he installed in Agra.
Travelershub.com offers information on Padmini's Palace. Log on to Padmini's Palace a 19th century three storeyed white edifice that is surrounded by a pool of water.
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