Siege of Chittor immortalized by Padmini legend

1303

Alauddin Khalji marched against the Mewar capital, where tradition says he coveted Queen Padmini. The fortress fell after months of siege, its massive walls breached by persistent assault. The queen and her attendants reportedly burned themselves on a vast pyre rather than surrender. The legend, elaborated two centuries later by the poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi, became Rajput honor's founding myth.