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In
Rana Kumbha's time the kingdom of Mewar spread from Ranthambore to
Gwalior, including vast tracts of present-day Rajasthan and Madhya
Pradesh. Mewar's rulers became patrons of all that was best in
Indian martial and fine arts, architecture, and learning. Of the 84
fortresses defending Mewar, 32 were designed and built by Rana
Kumbha. Of these, Kumbhalgarh with its 36-kilometer long wall and
soaring towers is the most impressive. Kumbhalgarh stands on the
site of an ancient citadel dating back to the second century AD
belonging to a Jain descendant of India's Mauryan emperors. It
defined the boundaries between Mewar and Marwar and became a refuge
for Mewar's rulers in times of strife. Its steel gray ramparts
encircle the fertile Shero Mallah Valley, with ancient monuments
cenotaphs, ponds and flourishing farms. Kumbhalgarh fell only once
in its history, to the combined forces of Emperor Akbar, Raja Man
Singh of Amber, and Raja Udai Singh of Amber, and Raja Udai Singh of
Marwar.
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