Chittorgarh: Queen Padmavati’s legacy lives on
A historic town revived by cinema’s spotlight
On January 25, 2018, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama ‘Padmaavat’ was released in theaters. Based on a poem by Malik Muhammad Jayasi, the film became the third highest-grossing film in Hindi cinema. Through its storytelling, ‘Padmaavat’ brought Rajasthan’s small town of Chittorgarh and its tumultuous history into the spotlight, placing it on the map for many.
It was an afternoon that felt like morning, and Alauddin Khilji’s army stood outside the fort. Inside, the women of Rajput warriors prepared to immolate themselves in the fire. From young to old, they stepped into the flames without flinching or hesitation.
For those wondering what this is all about, it is the climax of the Bollywood blockbuster film Padmaavat, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.
This period drama is based on the 16th-century poem Padmavati, written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. The poem explores the central themes of love, lust and valour, paying tribute to a queen who chose to die rather than submit to a tyrant who coveted her.
Despite the controversy surrounding the film during its shooting and the days following its release, Padmaavat became a blockbuster, earning a lifetime collection of INR 3 billion, according to news reports.
Amid all the controversy and noise surrounding the film, the fort of Chittorgarh and the town found themselves in an odd position, both highlighted and pushed to the background, creating a sharp contrast that felt almost symbolic.
Chittorgarh beyond Padmavat
Located in the southeast of Rajasthan, Chittorgarh is a jewel of Mewar, a land where the echoes of Rajputana bravery, pride and passion resonate through every corner. Its turbulent history tells a tale of resilience and sacrifice, one that has shaped its identity through centuries of warfare and survival.
The town witnessed three major attacks: the first by Delhi’s Sultan Alauddin Khilji in 1303, followed by the devastating invasion of Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, and later, in 1568, the overwhelming force of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Despite these repeated assaults, Chittorgarh endured, its fortifications standing as silent witnesses to the cycles of conquest and defense.
Chittorgarh Fort: A Symbol of Power & Resilience
Built by Chitragad Mori of the Maurya Dynasty, the fort of Chittorgarh stood as a symbol of power, witnessing three major wars and political maneuvers.
Its rulers shifted between the Rajputs, the Delhi Sultanate, and the Mughals until it was restored to the Rajputs during Emperor Jahangir’s reign in 1616. Today, perched atop a high hill near the Berach River, Chittorgarh Fort is the largest in India.
Shaped like a fish, the fort spans 700 acres with a 13 km circumference and is known as a ‘water fort’ due to its 84 water bodies, including ponds, wells, and stepwells, all supplied by a cow’s mouth-shaped reservoir.
Harish Sahoo, a seasoned guide from Chittorgarh with 20 years of experience, describes the fort as one of the living forts, much like its counterpart, Jaisalmer Fort. It is home to a population of around 5,000 people who reside within the monument.
“This monument is like a living fort, around 5,000 people actually live inside the monument,” Sahoo tells Media India Group.
Thanks to its distinctive architecture and historical significance, Chittorgarh Fort, along with other hill forts like Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Amber, Gagron and Jaisalmer was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013.
According to Mahendra Singh Rathore, president of the Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators and co-chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Rajasthan Circle, around 1 million tourists visit the fort annually.
“Chittorgarh Fort welcomes over 1 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited forts in India,” Rathore tells Media India Group.
Rani Padmini’s towering influence on town
Even as time passes and technology and social changes gradually take hold, the influence of Rajput queen Padmini continues to exert a significant impact on the town through monuments and her imprints in them.

Padmini Palace
On the southern corner of the fort, stands the three-storied white monument, Padmini Palace. Surrounded by water on all sides, this palace, with its intricately carved windows and Jharokhas overlooking the gardens, continues to echo the tales of Rawal Ratan Singh, his wife Padmavati, and Delhi’s king Allauddin Khilji, whose lives were bound by one man’s lust and stubbornness.
As you enter the palace, the local legend of Khilji, besotted by the queen’s beauty and seeing through the mirror continues to haunt this monument.
Alas, this incident led to a tragic outcome, culminating in the self-immolation of Queen Padmini and many other women. This moment is memorialised at a place called Jauhar Kund.
Performed in 1303, this act of self-immolation was carried out by the women of Chittorgarh to escape humiliation at the hands of Khilji and his army. The impact of the incident is so profound that some believe this place is haunted!!
The monuments within this fort reflect Queen Padmini’s enduring influence and hold over the place.
Impact of ‘Padmaavat’ film on Chittorgarh
Meanwhile, the enduring influence of the queen’s legend was such that it inspired director Sanjay Leela Bhansali to create a movie based on the historical and literary accounts of her story.
Despite the controversy over historical distortion and portrayal of the queen, the film Padmaavat became a commercial success, becoming the third-highest-grossing film of the year 2018.
The impact of the film was so profound that, after its release, the once quiet and sleepy town of Chittorgarh found itself suddenly on the map, capturing the attention of people across India.
According to widely available reports, before the film’s release, Chittorgarh Fort saw a remarkable spike in visitors in December 2017, with 81,009 people flocking to the site, thanks to all the media attention. In comparison, just a year earlier, in December 2016, the footfall was only 40,733, showing just how much of an impact a film can have on a place!!
According to Harish Sahoo, there was a significant boom in tourism between 2018 and 2021, particularly after the release of Padmaavat. Even today, the film’s influence remains strong, drawing tourists to the city and the fort.
“Between 2018 and 2021, we saw a huge boom in tourism, especially after the release of Padmaavat, even today, many tourists visit the city and the fort because of the film’s impact,” adds Sahoo.
Additionally, films like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Bajirao Mastani, and Guide, a 1960s masterpiece, which featured both Chittorgarh and Udaipur, played a crucial role in boosting tourism in the region.
These films not only attracted visitors but also contributed to the state’s economy by creating jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Hotels, local businesses, and the service industry saw increased revenues in the years following major film releases. To cater to rising tourist needs, the city has developed range of infrastructure.
“Chittorgarh city has developed a range of tourist infrastructure, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, and shops, catering to diverse visitor needs. Tourism has significantly benefited the local economy by creating jobs, stimulating businesses, and contributing to regional development,” adds Rathore.
Chittorgarh’s legacy, shaped by history and revived by cinema, continues to captivate visitors. Whether through history or cinema, the city remains a timeless symbol of resilience, honour and legacy.