Enclosed within massive ramparts as if it were encased in stone, Chittor, following the example of many other citadels, believed itself to be impregnable and dreamed of immortality. This was a reflection of the courageous race of warriors who built them on protected locations where access was difficult ,like so many eagle’s nests crowning the craggy cliffs. Often built on steep crests ,on the summits of high plateaus over looking the plains or a strategic pass ,or sometimes hanging onto a rocky peak ,Citadels are veritable acropolis surrounded by haughty walls reinforced by bastions and parapets.
Monumental gates were cut through the stone of the fortified walls .Massive doors ,studded with spikes to repel assaults by combat elephants ,defended access to the fortress. Built on an axis ,the paved ramps leading to the palace nestled within the ramparts, as in Chittor ,were often seven in number. The ornamentation of the monumental gates guarding access to fortress was exemplary .
Like the Roman arcs of triumph ,the triple succession of arches called the Tripolia generally mark the entrance. The tripolia or triple portal ,the entry to the magnificent terrace in front of the Rana’s palace in Udaipur ,still preserving the numeral sacred to the god of battle, one of whose titles is Tripoli ,or lord of the three palaces of adobe,but applied in its extensive sense to the three worlds, heaven ,earth and hell. In the upper part of these monumental great arches can be found small rooms topped with domes in the form of Chattri where Naqqarchis stayed. It was imperative for any visitor arriving on horse in front of the tripolia to dismount ,before passing through the great ceremonial door opening onto the vast court of the palace. According to the etiquette ,guests have to dismount at the pol tripolia and proceed on foot across the ample terrace on which were drawn up a few elephants and horses exircise for the rana’s amusement at the Palace of the Mewar’s capital Udaipur .
