A new type of atomic bond has been discovered

An electron corrals a nearby atom closer, creating a supersized molecule – for a fraction of a second
Flitting chemical bond makes giant butterfly molecules
A new type of atomic bond has been discovered
And it forms a whole new class of molecules.
Physicists built a new, supersized molecule made of atoms held together by a far-roaming electron – like a flock of sheep being herded by a sheepdog.
Reporting in Nature Communications, the team from Germany and America created fleeting “butterfly” Rydberg molecules they predicted on paper 14 years ago – and which could find a place in quantum computers.
The new kind of molecule is bound by a lone electron ranging extremely far from its nucleus and whizzing around another atom, herding it close like a sheepdog does a stray sheep.
“It's a whole new way an atom can be bound by another atom," says Chris Greene a physicist at Purdue University, who co-authored the research.
Back in 1888, when most scientists didn’t believe in atoms, Swedish physicist Johannes Rydberg found a formula that reproduced colours of light emitted by different chemical elements.
Some 25 years later, Danish physicist Niels Bohr built on Rydberg’s ideas when he described the ‘solar system’ model of the atom, with the nucleus at the centre orbited by electrons.
One of Bohr’s central ideas was that if you give an electron a kick of energy, you can promote it to a higher energy level, meaning it orbits further, on average, from the nucleus.
Rydberg atoms are extreme examples of this. The outermost electron, promoted to an extremely high energy, can roam up to 1,000 times further from the nucleus than normal.
Rydberg atoms are also atomic monstrosities. They can be up to a millionth of a metre in diameter. That might seem small, but it’s about the size of an Escherichia coli bacterium, which is built from about 90 billion regular atoms.

In 2002, Greene and his team predicted that the free-ranging electron of a Rydberg atom might be used to form a new kind of chemical bond.
They worked out the shape of the atomic orbitals (describing the probability of finding an electron at a particular position around the nucleus) and found it looked like a butterfly – hence the name.
Now they’ve made one.
Since the molecule would be bound by only the “tiniest conceivable” force, Greene knew their only hope using ultracold, almost motionless atoms. His team used rubidium, an element chosen for cold atom experiments because it’s easy to manipulate with lasers.
Greene’s team cooled rubidium gas to just 10 millionths of a degree above absolute zero. Using a laser, they gave an electron a kick of energy, knocking it from its usual orbit out into a super-excited state and creating a Rydberg atom.
They then used the laser again to corral another rubidium atom into just the right distance nearby. That’s when the excited electron took over.
“This electron is like a sheepdog,” says Greene. This herding creates a tiny force of attraction holding the two atoms together in the very fragile butterfly state.
Though the molecule lasted only about five millionths of a second, it was long enough to study.
The butterfly state caused changes in the frequency of light that the Rydberg molecule absorbed. By detecting these changes, the team could measure the energy of binding between the two atoms.
This is not the first kind of Rydberg molecule created. Back in 2007, scientists managed to coax two Rydberg atoms together, each with a herding electron, to form a molecule that looked a little like an extinct marine animal called a trilobite.
The butterfly Rydberg is different because only one atom needs to be in a super-excited state. The other is passively herded.
From a practical point of view, Rydberg molecules have a very high electric dipole moment (in essence, the separation of charge within the molecule) coming from the large distance between the negative electron and positive nucleus.
This means they can be moved around with electric fields 100 times weaker than those needed for regular atoms – useful for setting up the long-range interactions between atoms needed for quantum computing.
For now, Greene plans to see if the ranging electron can herd more than one atom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rydberg_molecule
http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0953-4075/…/10/102
http://www.purdue.edu/…/weak-atomic-bond,-theorized-14-year…
http://journals.aps.org/…/ab…/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.010502
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubidium
https://cosmosmagazine.com/…/new-kind-of-chemical-bond-make…
http://www.nature.com/…/jo…/v458/n7241/full/nature07945.html
http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms12820
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/…/A-giant-molecule-stuns-the-sci…

 

This computer-generated image is of a strange molecule that has shocked chemists. It is as big as a bacterium and should exist in the real world according to research.

Around 200,000,000,000,000,000 conventional atoms would fit on the full stop at the end of this sentence. They are mostly empty space - the positively charged nucleus, where most mass resides, is 100,000 times smaller than the overall atom, which is a mist of negative charge, consisting of one or more electrons.

But the molecule shown here, consisting of only two atoms, is enormous - about one millionth of a metre across, about the same size as an E-coli bacterium.

The predictions that these fragile giants should exist have been published in the Journal of Physics by Edward Hamilton and Prof Chris Greene of the University of Colorado, with Dr Hossein Sadeghpour of the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in Cambridge, near Boston.

These are called "butterfly Rydberg states", where butterfly refers to the shape and state refers to the way electrons are distributed around an atom or molecule. Rydberg acknowledges pioneering work in the late 1800s by Johannes Rydberg that helped in the development of quantum mechanics.

This image shows the likelihood of finding an electron in orbit around the molecule (the peaks correspond to where it is most likely to be), calculated by the most successful theory in science, quantum mechanics.

Two years ago, Prof Greene and colleagues, including Prof Alan Dickinson of the University of Newcastle, found a novel and bizarre class of molecular states that involved electron motion that are far more complicated than previously thought. "They showed an uncanny resemblance to a trilobite, and for this reason they were dubbed trilobite states," he said.

Now the team has found a related but different butterfly Rydberg state, which once again is vast compared with conventional atoms and molecules.

Although the practical importance of this work is unclear, the finding has caused a buzz among scientists.

"The main excitement about this work in the atomic and molecular physics community has related to the fact that these huge molecules should exist and be observable, and that their electron density should exhibit amazingly rich, quantum mechanical peaks and valleys," said Prof Greene.

At least one well-known chemist has told Prof Greene that he was shocked by the work because he had thought that everything was known about the simplest molecules that consist of two atoms.

The giant molecules, which are extremely tenuous, have not yet been seen in a laboratory, but a team at the University of Connecticut is now looking for them.

Credit : Vienna University of Technology

"இசைமேதை" Dr.பாலமுரளிகிருஷ்ணா அவர்கள் மறைவு

கர்நாடக இசைக்கு உலக அளவில் சேவை செய்த பெருமை இசை ஜாம்பவான் பாலமுரளிகிருஷ்ணாவிற்கு உண்டு. 5 வயதில் பாட ஆரம்பித்தவர் இறுதிவரை 81 ஆண்டுகளாக பாடி இசைக்கு தொண்டாற்றிய பெருமை அவருக்கு உள்ளது.

தமிழ், தெலுங்கு, கன்னடம், மலையாளம், சமஸ்கிருதம் என பல இந்திய மொழிகளில் பல பாடல்களை பாடியவரின் மறைவு திரையுலகிற்கு மிகவும் பேரிழப்பு.

அவரின் மறைவிற்கு வருத்தம் தெரிவித்து கமல்ஹாசன், தனுஷ், விஷால், பிரசன்னா, ஜி.வி.பிரகாஷ் , பாடகி சின்மயி ஆகியோர் ட்விட்டரில் அனுதாப செய்தி வெளியிட்டுள்ளனர்.

"இசைமேதை" Dr.பாலமுரளிகிருஷ்ணா அவர்களின் மறைவு, இசையுலகில் ஈடுசெய்ய முடியாதது...........
நமது"இதயஅஞ்சலியை" மகா மேதைக்கு செலுத்துவோம்.

ஜெயமோகனின் வன்மம்

Dr.அரவிந்தன் சிவக்குமார்

“The construction of a lunatic asylum costs 6 million marks. How many houses at 15,000 marks each could have been built for that amount?”

“ஒரு மனநலக்காப்பகம் கட்டுவதற்கு 6 மில்லியன் மார்க்குகள் செலவாகிறது என்று வைத்துக்கொள்வோம். அதே தொகை இருப்பின் 15000 மார்க்குகள் வீதத்தில் எத்தனை வீடுகள் கட்டியிருக்க முடியும்?”- (1934ஜெர்மானிய பள்ளி கணக்கு பாடப்புத்தகத்திலிருந்து)

முதலாம் உலகப்போர் முடிந்த தருவாயில், ஜெர்மனியில் ஒரு புத்தகம் வெளிவந்தது. 1920-ல் நீதிபதி காரல் பைண்டிங், மனநல மருத்துவர் ஆல்ப்ரெட் ஹோக் ஆகியோர் எழுதிய அந்தப் புத்தகம், 30-களின் இறுதியில் தொடங்கவிருந்த யூதர்களின் ’ஹொலோகாஸ்ட்’ மற்றும் ‘இறுதித் தீர்வு’க்கான விதையாக இருக்கும் என்று பெரும்பாலானவர்களுக்கு தெரியாமலேயே இருந்தது.

‘வாழ்வதற்குத் தகுதியில்லாதவரின் வாழ்வைச் சிதைப்பதற்கான அனுமதி’ என்ற தலைப்பில் வெளிவந்த அந்த புத்தகத்தின் சாரம் இதுதான்:

வாழ்வதற்கு லாயக்கற்றோர் பட்டியலில் இருக்கும் மனநோயாளிகள், மூளை வளர்ச்சி குன்றியவர்கள், ஊனமுற்றவர், வயது முதிர்ச்சியினால் முடங்கிக் கிடப்பவர்கள் ஆகியோருக்கு பொருளாதார ரீதியில் செலவு செய்வது தேவையற்றது; எனவே அவர்களுக்கு ’விடுதலை’ அளிக்க கருணைக்கொலை என்ற வழிமுறையே சிறந்ததாகும் என்று அந்த புத்தகத்தில் கார்ல் பைண்டிங்கும் ஹோக்கும் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருந்தனர்.

சகமனிதனுக்குத் துளியளவும் பயன்படாத உயிர்கள், சமூகத்திற்கு மிகப்பெரிய பொருளாதாரச் சுமையாக இருக்கிறார்கள்; அதனால் அவர்களுக்கு விடுதலை அளிக்கவேண்டும்; அது கொலையல்ல, கருணைக்கொலை; சட்டரீதியாகவும் அதற்கு அனுமதி வழங்கப்படவேண்டும் என்றும் அவர்கள் வாதிட்டனர். ஜடங்களாய் வாழ்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கும் இவர்களுக்கு மரணம் விடுதலை கொடுக்கும் ,மேலும் இவர்களைப் பராமரிப்பதால் ஏற்படும் கடுஞ்சுமையிலிருந்து சமூகத்திற்கும் விடுதலை கிடைக்கும் என்றும் கூறினார்கள்.

’சமூகத்தில் மனிதர்கள் மரபுரீதியாகச் சமமானவராக இருக்கமுடியாது’ என்ற கருத்தியலை, அறிவியலாளர்கள் மற்றும் படித்த மேட்டுக்குடியினர் மெல்ல ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளும் அளவுக்கு, மரபியல் நிபுணர்கள், மானுடவியலாளர்கள், மனநல மருத்துவர்கள், பல்வேறு அறிவியல் இதழ்வெளியீடுகள், புத்தகங்கள் மூலம் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் ஊசியில் ஏற்றப்பட்டது. மேலும், இந்தக் கருத்தியலை அரசியல் சட்டகத்தில் புகுத்தி தூய இனத்தை உருவாக்குவதற்காகவும் தகுதியற்றவரை ஒதுக்கி விலக்குவதற்கான ஒரு புதிய அரசியல் கருத்தியல் உருவாக்கப்பட்டது.

1912-ல் அமெரிக்க உளவியலாளரும் யுஜெனிக்ஸ் அமைப்பின் முன்னோடியுமான ஹென்ரி கோடார்ட் என்பவர் ஆய்வுக்கட்டுரை ஒன்றை வெளியிட்டார். அறிவுத்திறன் அலகிடுதலில்(IQ) சிறிது மாற்றம் செய்து, அறிவுத்திறன் 50 முதல்70 வரை உள்ளவர்கள் அமெரிக்க ஜனநாயகத்திற்கு தகுதியற்றவர்கள் என்றவர், அவர்களை ‘மோரான்’கள் என்ற புதிய பதத்தில் அழைத்ததுடன், அவர்களை தனி காலனிகளில் அடைக்கவேண்டும் என்றும் கூறினார். மேலும் மோரான்கள் நாட்டின் பாதுகாப்புக்கு அச்சுறுத்தல் ஏற்படுத்துபவர்கள் குற்றச்செயல்களுக்கு முக்கிய காரணமானவர்கள் என்றும் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

மோரான்களின் சந்ததிகள் உருவாகாமல் இருக்கவும் ஒரு வலுவான , பரிசுத்தமான அமெரிக்க மரபுணுகளை உருவாக்கவும் வேண்டுமென்றால் மோரான்களுக்கு குடும்பக் கட்டுப்பாடு செய்யவேண்டும் என்றார். அதன்படி, ஒப்புதலின்றி பல ஆயிரக்கணக்கானோருக்கு விரைகள், கருப்பைகள் பிடுங்கி எறியப்பட்டன.1907 முதல் 1939 வரை 27 அமெரிக்க மாகாணங்களில் 30000த்திற்கும் மேற்பட்டோர் வலுக்கட்டாயமாக அறுவை சிகிச்சை செய்யப்பட்டனர்

எல்லிஸ் தீவில் வெளிநாடுகளிலிருந்து அமெரிக்காவிற்கு குடியேறச் சென்றவர்களை கோடார்ட் ஆய்வுசெய்தார். கொடார்டின் கீழ் பணிபுரிந்தவரகள் குடியேறியவர்களை பார்த்தமாத்திரத்திலேயே  மோரான் என்று முத்திரையிட்டனர். மோரான்கள் என்று முத்திரை குத்தப்பட்டவர்கள் விரட்டப்பட்டனர்.

கோடர்டின் இந்த ’ஆய்வு’ முடிவுகள் பிற்காலத்தில் நாஜி ஜெர்மனியில் மரபணுத் தூய்மை இனவாதம், வலதுசாரி பாசிச அரசியல் கருத்தியலுக்கு வலுசேர்த்தது. மரபணுரீதியாக தாழ்நிலையில் உள்ளவர்கள் அறுவைச்சிகிச்சையின் மூலம் ஒடுக்கப்படவேண்டும் அல்லது தனி காலனிகளில் ஒதுக்கப்படவேண்டும் என்ற வாதம் மேலோங்கியது. நடைமுறையிலும் அரங்கேறியது.

முதலாம் உலகப்போரின் தொடக்கத்தின்போது கோடார்டின் எழுத்துகளும், போர் முடிந்தவுடன் இருந்த பொருளாதாரத் தேக்கநிலையும், கார்ல் பைண்டிங் மற்றும் ஆல்பெரெட் ஹோக் எழுதிய புத்தகமும் இரண்டாம் உலகப்போரில் ஹிட்லரின் பல்வேறு புதிய திட்டங்களுக்கு அடிக்கல் நாட்டியது.

பொருளாதார நெருக்கடியை சமாளிக்க யார் தேவை யார் தேவையில்லை என்று தரம் பிரித்து ,வாழ்வதற்கு லாயக்கற்றவர்களுக்கு மரணமே பரிசு என்று கொல்வது நியாயப்படுத்தப்பட்டது.  முன்னர் வெளிவந்த புத்தகங்கள், அறிவியல் கட்டுரைகளில் அதற்கான மேற்கோள்கள் எடுத்துரைக்கப்பட்டது. மேலும் நெருக்கடி நிலையில் ஏற்பட்ட சமூகக் கொந்தளிப்பை அரசின் மீது திரும்பாமல் திசை திருப்பி அப்பாவி நோயர், வயோதிகர், மனவளர்ச்சி குன்றியவர் மீது குவியச் செய்து திட்டமிட்ட படி படுகொலைகளை நிகழ்த்தி வெற்றியும் கண்டது பாசிச அரசு.

1930களின் முற்பகுதியில் நாசி ஜெர்மனியில் தொடங்கிய அப்பாவி மக்கள் மீதான கொடூர வன்முறை தாக்குதல் நினைத்துப் பார்க்கமுடியாத அளவிற்கு துல்லியமாக திட்டமிடப்பட்டு மேல்மட்டத்திலிருந்து கீழ்வரை மிகவும் நேர்த்தியாக செயல்படுத்தபட்டது. 1934 கில் தொடங்கிய கட்டாயக் கருத்தடை அறுவை சிகிச்சைகள் 3 லட்சம் முதல் – 4 லட்சம் மாற்றுத்திறனாளிகள் (மோரான்கள், மனச்சிதைவு நோயாளிகள், வலிப்பு நோயாளிகள்) என்று பல்வேறு மனநல நிறுவனங்கள், திருச்சபை நடத்தும் வைத்திய நிறுவனங்களில் அரங்கேறியது. ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை பாதிரியார்கள், பிஷப்கள் அதை எதிர்த்தனர். இந்த கட்டாயக் கருத்தடையைச் செயல்படுத்த கருத்தடைச் சட்டமும், இரண்டு மருத்துவர் ஒரு நீதிபதி உள்ளடக்கிய 200 மரபணு சுகாதார நீதிமன்றங்கள் ஜெர்மனி முழுவதும் தொடங்கப்பட்டன. கடுமையாக கருத்தடைகள் அரங்கேற்றப்பட்டன. ஆரிய இனத்தைத் தூய்மைப்படுத்த வேண்டிய முக்கியத்துவம் அதற்கான தேவை, அதற்கு ’தடை’யாக, ’பொருளாதார சுமையாக’ இருக்கும் மனநலம் பாதித்தவர், மனவளர்ச்சி குன்றியவர் என பலவிதமானவர்கள் வலுக்கட்டயாமக கருத்தடை செய்யப்பட்டனர். அதே சமயம் மக்கள் ஆதரவை வலுப்படுத்த திரைப்படங்கள் மூலமாகவும், பல்வேறு அரசு செய்தித் தொடர்பு நிறுவனங்கள் மூலமாகவும் ஹிட்லரின் கட்டாயக் கருத்தடை சேவை நியாயப்படுத்தப்பட்டது.

பள்ளிக் கணக்குப் பாடப்புத்தகத்தில் உபயோகமில்லா உயிர்களின் பொருளாதாரச் சுமைக்குறித்தும்  மாணவர் மனதில் புகுத்தப்பட்டது. கத்தோலிக்க மதகுருமார்களின் எதிர்ப்பொலியும் ஒரு சில மருத்துவர்களின் எதிர்ப்பொலியும் சேர ஹிட்லர் கட்டாயக் கருத்தடையை தற்காலிகமாக 1938-வாக்கில் நிறுத்திவைத்தார். இரண்டாம் உலகப்போர் தொடக்கத்தில் தன்னுடைய ஆரிய இனத்தூய்மையை சுலபமாகச் செயல்படுத்தவும் முடியும் என்று ஹிட்லர் கூறினார்.

1939-ன் பிற்பகுதியில் கருணைக்கொலை என்ற பெயரில் சுலபமாய் தன் திட்டத்தை நிறைவேற்ற முடியும் என்று ஹிட்லர் தெரிவித்தார். போர்காலத்தில மனித உயிர்களின் மதிப்பு மலிவான போது ஹிட்லர் தன்னுடைய செயல் திட்டத்தை வேகமாய் செயல்படுத்த தொடங்கினார்.   தன்னுடைய தலைமை மருத்துவர் காரல் பிரான்ட்ட்க்கு அப்பணியயை செவ்வனே அரங்கேற்றி செயல்படுத்தவும் அதிகாரம் வழங்கினார். மாற்றுத்திறனாளிகள், வயதுமுதிர்ந்தோர் மீதான திட்டமிட்டே கட்டமைக்கப்பட்ட வன்முறைகளுக்கு போர் ஒரு கரும்போர்வையாகவே அமைந்தது.

கருணைக் கொலைகள் என்ற சொல்லுக்கு புதிய உள்ளர்த்தம் கற்பிக்கப்பட்டது. மருத்துவமனைகளில் பிறவிக்குறைபாடோடு பிறக்கும் குழந்தைகள் மனவளர்ச்சி குன்றியக் குழந்தைகள் நச்சு மருந்துகள் கொடுத்து கொல்லப்பட்டனர்.

வயதானவர்களுக்கு ரகசிய திட்டமான ‘ஆக்டியான் டி4 திட்டம்’ செயல்படுத்தப்பட்டது. இத்திட்டத்தின்படி அரசு, மற்றும் மத நிறுவனங்களில் தங்கி வைத்தியம் பார்க்கும் நோயாளிகளை, வயது முதிர்ந்தவர்களுக்கான விடுதிகளில் இருப்பவர்களை ஒரு குழு ஆய்வு செய்து ஒரு தாளில் அவர்களை உடல் நிலை மட்டுமன்றி, அவர்களின் பயன்பாடு, வேலை செய்யும் திறன்பற்றிய தகவல்களை சேகரித்து மேலிடத்திற்கு அனுப்பும்.அந்த தகவல்களை ஒரு குழு கூறாய்வு செய்தனர்.அந்த குழுவில் மருத்துவர்கள், குறிப்பாக மனநலமருத்துவர்கள் இருந்தனர். நோயர்களையோ, வயோதிகர்களையோ நேரடியாக பாராமல் ஒரு காகிதத்தில் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ள தகவல்களை வைத்து அவர்கள் பென்சில்களால் குறியிட்டனர்.

சிகப்புக் கூட்டல் குறி- மரணம், நீலக் கழித்தல் குறி- உயிரோடு இருக்கலாம், கேள்விக்குறி- மறுஆய்வு என மனித உயிர்கள் காகிதத் தகவல்களின் அடிப்படையில், வாழ்வதற்கு தகுதியானவரா இல்லையா எனத் தீர்மானிக்கப்பட்டு, குறியீடுகளாகச் சுருக்கப்பட்டனர். சிகப்பு கூட்டல் குறியினர் அவரவர் தங்கும் இடங்களிலேயே கொல்லப்பட்டனர். முதலில் விஷ ஊசியின் மூலம் உயிர் பறிக்கப்பட்டு பின்னர் அவர்களை எரித்து சாம்பலாக்கினர். பிற்கால ஆய்வில் விஷ ஊசி செலுத்தும் முறையைவிட கார்பன் மோனோ ஆக்ஸைடு வாயு செலுத்துவது சாவின் வேதனையைக்குறைக்கும் என்றும், சுலபான வழிமுறையாகவும் இருந்ததால் அந்த முறை பின்பற்றப்பட்டது.

ஹார்தியம், சோனன்ஸ்டின், கிராஃப்னெக், பெர்ன்பெர்க், ஹாடமார், பிராண்டென்பெர்க் ஆகிய ஆறு ஊர்களிலும் தனியே கட்டப்பட்ட கொல்கலன்கள், ‘கூட்டல் குறிகளுக்கு’ வாயு சேம்பர்களில் விஷவாயு குளியல் செலுத்தப்பட்ட, கூட்டல் குறிகளை சாம்பலாக்கிக் கரைத்துவிட உதவியது.

ஆரிய இனத்தைத் தூய்மைப்படுத்தும் நோக்கிலும், பொருளாதார வீண் சுமையைக் குறைப்பதிலும் 1940 ஜனவரியிலிருந்து 1941 ஆகஸ்டு வரை 70273 கூட்டல் குறிகள் சுழியங்களாக ஆக்கப்பட்டன. மிகவும் ரகசியமாய் அரங்கேற்றப்பட்ட டி4 திட்டம் வெளியே கசியத் தொடங்கியதும் ஒரு சில ஊர்களில் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையும், சில நீதிபதிகளும் எதிர்த்தனர். எதிர்ப்புக்குரல் வலுக்கவும் அதை தொடக்கத்தில் ஒடுக்கும் முயற்சியிலும் ஈடுபடத்தொடங்கினர். இறுதியாக எதிர்ப்புக் குரல்களால் 1941 ஆகஸ்ட் 24ஆம் தேதியன்று ‘டி4’ திட்டம் கைவிடப்பட்டது.

இருப்பினும் 1941- 1945 வரை ’T 14 F 13’ என்ற திட்டத்தின் கீழ் சிறைக்கைதிகள் ஆய்வு செய்யப்பட்டு, உடல் உழைப்பபுக்குத் தகுதியில்லாதவர், நோயினால் பாதிப்படைந்தவர் என்று 20000 த்திற்கும் மேலானோர் கொல்லப்பட்டனர். யூதர்கள், ஜிப்சிகள், போலிஸ், ருசிய, ஜெர்மானிய சிறைக்கைதிகள் இதில் அடங்குவர்.

நிற்க!

வங்கி ஊழியர் பிரேமலதா ஷிண்டே

“நியாயப்படி இந்தக்கிழவியை அப்படியே கப்பென்று கழுத்தோடு பிடித்து வெளியே தள்ளி மிச்ச காசைக்கொடுத்து அனுப்பவேண்டும். வீட்டில் கீரை ஆய்வதைக்கூட இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் நன்றாகச் செய்யும்போல.”

மகாராஷ்டிர வங்கிப் பணியாளர் பிரேமலதா ஷிண்டேவைப் பற்றி ஜெயமோகன் எழுதியவைதான், இந்த வரிகள். இதில் கொப்பளிக்கும் எதிர்மறை உணர்வுகளும் ’ஆக்டியான் டி4’ திட்டத்தை மீண்டும் தொடங்கவேண்டும் என்ற உள்ளர்த்தத்திலும் அந்த எழுத்துகளில் ஒளிந்திருக்கும் அரசியல் அதற்கான திறவுகோலாகவும் அமைகிறது.

வயது முதிர்ந்தவர், மாற்றுத்திறனாளி, உடல் நோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டவர் வேலையில் நிதானமாக இருப்பவர்கள் தூக்கியெறியப்படவேண்டும், கழுத்தைப்பிடித்து வீச வேண்டும் என்பது டி4 திட்டம். அதன் கீழ் எல்லோரையும் பரிசோதித்து, பொருளாதார ரீதியாக உபயோகற்றவர் ,வேலைக்கு லாயக்கற்றவர் , வாழ்வதற்கே தகுதியற்றவர் என்று முத்திரைக்குத்தி சமூகத்திற்கு சுமையானவர்கள் என்று சிகப்பு பென்சிலில் கூட்டல்குறி இடப்பட்டது போன்று, ஜெயமோகனின் வரிகள் பிரேமலதா ஷிண்டேவை வேலைக்குத் தகுதியில்லாவர் என முத்திரைக்குத்தி சிகப்பு பென்சிலில் கூட்டல் குறி போட்டுள்ளார். அவருடைய கருத்தை வலுப்படுத்த, ’சமூகத்தில், அரசு துறை மிக மோசம்; தனியார் துறையினர் திறமைசாலிகள்’ என்ற கோபத்தை மிகைப்படுத்தி,’அரசு நிறுவனங்களில் தகுதியில்லாதவர், சோம்பேறிகள் மற்றும் வயோதிக நோயர் வேலையே செய்யாமல் வெட்டியாக இருக்கைகளுக்கு சுமையாக உள்ளார்கள், அவர்களை விரட்ட வேண்டும்’ என்ற மத்திய வர்க்க உணர்வுகளைத் தட்டியெழுப்பி, அந்த சிகப்புக்கூட்டல் குறியை வலுப்படுத்தி நியாயப்படுத்தவும் செய்துள்ளார்.

இப்போது நிலவிவரும் பொருளாதார மந்தத்தன்மை, பொதுத்துறை நிறுவனங்களை வேகவேகமாய் சுக்கு நூறாய் உடைத்து ஊதித்தள்ளும் அரசு, தனியார்மயமாக்கலின் கொடூரத் தாக்கதல் என்று புதிய தாராளமயமாக்கலின் கோரப்பற்கள் கடித்துக் குதறுவதற்கு, ஆட்களை காவு கேட்கிறது. பொருளாதாரம் மந்தமாக இருக்கும் சூழலில் தேவையற்றவரைக் களையெடுக்கவேண்டும், ஆட்குறைப்பு, வயதானவர்கள், மாற்றுத்திறனாளிகளுக்கு கட்டாய ஓய்வு தேவையான ஒன்று; அப்போது தான் பொருளாதாரத்தை மேம்படுத்த முடியும்; நாட்டை வல்லரசாக தூக்கி நிறுத்த முடியும் என்ற வலதுசாரி அரசின் கர்ஜனைகளும் நாளை காதைப் பிளக்கும். மத்திய வர்க்கத்தின் கூட்டு மனசாட்சியைத் தூண்டி, அரசு தன் செயல்களை நியாயப்படுத்தி வேகவேகமாய் நடைமுறைப்படுத்தும்.ஜெயமோகனின் அந்த வரிகள் நாளை வரவிருக்கும் புதிய திட்டத்தின் முன்வரைவாகவே அமைந்துள்ளது.

சமூகத்தில் யார் வாழவேண்டும் , வேலை நிறுவனங்களில் எத்தகையவர் பணிபுரியவேண்டும், எவரெவரை களையெடுத்து ’சமூகத்தைத் தூய்மைப்படுத்தும் (societal cleansing)’ பணியை மேற்கொள்ளும் ஜெயமோகனின் ‘ஆக்டியன் டி4’ எழுத்துக்களை நாம் சுலபமாய் புறந்தள்ளிவிட முடியாது. மிகக் கொடுரமான ஓர் இறுதித்தீர்வை நோக்கிய பயணத்தின் முன்னுரையாகவே ஜெயமோகனின் வரிகள் அமைந்துள்ளன . கொல்கலன்களின் புகைக்கூண்டிலிருந்து வரும் பிணவாடையின் துர்நாற்றமும், எலும்புகளை நொறுக்கி உடைக்கும்போது ஏற்படும் அருவருப்பான சத்தமும் சாம்பல் துகள்களுமே அந்த வரிகளில் உறைந்துகிடக்கின்றன.

Dr.அரவிந்தன் சிவகுமார், மனநல மருத்துவர்.

Thanks https://thetimestamil.com/

"Vimanas." Ancent Aircraft

Aachaarya Naaraayana says, “That which can speed on earth, on water, through air, by its own power, like a bird, is a “Vimana.”
Shankha says, “Experts in the science of aeronautics say, “That which can fly through air from one place to another is a Vimana”
And Vishwambhara says, “Experts say that which can fly through air from one country to another country, from one island to another island, and from one world to another world, is a “Vimana“.”

To really understand the technology, we must go much further back in time. The so-called "Rama Empire" of Northern India and Pakistan developed at least fifteen thousand years ago on the Indian sub-continent and was a nation of many large, sophisticated cities, many of which are still to be found in the deserts of Pakistan, northern, and western India. Rama existed, apparently, parallel to the Atlantean civilization in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, and was ruled by "enlightened Priest-Kings" who governed the cities.
The seven greatest capital cities of Rama were known in classical Hindu texts as "The Seven Rishi Cities." According to ancient Indian texts, the people had flying machines which were called "Vimanas." The ancient Indian epic describes a Vimana as a double-deck, circular aircraft with portholes and a dome, much as we would imagine a flying saucer. It flew with the "speed of the wind" and gave forth a "melodious sound." There were at least four different types of Vimanas; some saucer shaped, others like long cylinders ("cigar shaped airships").

The ancient Indian texts on Vimanas are so numerous, it would take volumes to relate what they had to say.
The ancient Indians, who manufactured these ships themselves, wrote entire flight manuals on the control of the various types of Vimanas, many of which are still in existence, and some have even been translated into English. The Samara Sutradhara is a scientific treatise dealing with every possible angle of air travel in a Vimana. There are 230 stanzas dealing with the construction, take-off, cruising for thousand of miles, normal and forced landings, and even possible collisions with birds. In 1875, the Vaimanika Sastra, a fourth century B.C. text written by Bharadvajy the Wise, using even older texts as his source, was rediscovered in a temple in India. It dealt with the operation of Vimanas and included information on the steering, precautions for long flights, protection of the airships from storms and lightning and how to switch the drive to "solar energy" from a free energy source which sounds like "anti-gravity."

The Vaimanika Sastra (or Vymaanika-Shaastra) has eight chapters with diagrams, describing three types of aircraft, including apparatuses that could neither catch on fire nor break. It also mentions 31 essential parts of these vehicles and 16 materials from which they are constructed, which absorb light and heat; for which reason they were considered suitable for the construction of Vimanas.

The secrets which every Vimana pilot must learn are explained by Siddhanaatha:
1.Maantrika; As prescribed in “Mantraadhikaara,” by invoking the mantras of Chhinnamasta, Bhairavee, Veginee, Siddhaamba, acquire the powers of ghutikaa, paadukaa, visible and invisible and other mantraas with potent herbs and efficacious oils,
and Bhuvaneswaree Mantra which confers spiritual and mesmeric powers, to construct aeroplanes, which don’t break cannot be cut, cannot be burnt, and cannot be destroyed.
2.Taantrika: By acquiring Mahaamaaya, Shambara, and other taantric powers, to endow the plane with those powers.
3.Kritaka: By study of architects like Vishwakarma, Chhaayaaparusha, Mann, Maya and others, to construct aeroplanes of various patterns.
4.Antaraala: In the wind-swept atmospheric region of the sky, in the clash at the borders of mighty currents, an inadvertent plane is likely to be smashed to pieces. But by getting warned of the approach of such danger spots, the plane could be halted and steered with
care.
5.Goodha: As explained in ‘Vaayutatva-Prakarana’, by harnessing the powers, Yaasaa, Viyaasaa, Prayaasaa in the 8th atmospheric layer covering the earth, to attract the dark content of the solar ray, and use it to hide the Vimana from the enemy.
6.Drishya: By collision of the electric power and wind power in the atmosphere, a glow is created, whose reflection is to be caught in the Vishwa-Kriyaa-darapana or mirror at the front of the Vimana, and by its manipulation produce a Maaya-Vimana or camouflaged Vimana.
7.Adrishya: According to “Shaktitantra”, by means of the Vynarathya Vikarana and other powers in the heart centre of the solar mass, attract the force of the ethereal flow in the sky, and mingle it with the balaahaavikarana shakti in the aerial globe, producing thereby a white cover, which will make the Vimana invisible.
8.Paroksha: According to “Meghotpatthi-prakarana,” or the science of the birth of clouds, by entering the second of the summer cloud layers, and attracting the power therein with the shaktyaakarshana darpana or force-attraction mirror in the Vimana, and applying it to the parivesha or halo of the Vimana, a paralysing force is generated, and opposing Vimanas are paralysed and put out of action.
9.Aparoksha: According to ‘Shakti-tantra,’ by projection of the Rohinee beam of light, things in front of the Vimana are made visible.
10.Sankocha, or Contraction: As prescribed in the Yantraangopasamhaara section, when the Vimana is flying at speed with fully extended wings, and there is danger ahead, turning the 7th switch in the Vimana, its parts can be made to contract.
11.Vistrita: According to ‘Akaashatantra’, when the Vim ana is in the central air flood in the third and first regions of the sky, by turning the switch in the 11th section of plane, it becomes expanded suitably according to “Vaalmeeki Ganita.”
12.Viroopa Karana: As stated in “Dhooma Prakarana”, by producing the 32nd kind of smoke through the mechanism, and charging it with the light of the heat waves in the sky, and projecting it through the padmaka chakra tube to the bhyravee oil-smeared Vyroopya-darpana at the top of the Vimana, and whirling with 132nd type of speed, a very fierce and terrifying shape of the Vimana will emerge, causing utter fright to onlookers.
13.Roopaantara: As stated in “Tylaprakarana,” by preparing griddhrajihwaa, kumbhinee, and kaakajangha oils and anointing the distorting mirror in the Vimana with them, applying to it the 19th kind of smoker and charging with the kuntinee shakti in the Vimana, shapes like lion, tiger, rhinoceros, serpent, mountain, river will appear and amaze observers and confuse them.
14.Suroopa: By attracting the 13 kinds of Karaka force mentioned in “Karaka prakarana” applying snow-surcharged air and projecting it through the air conveying tube to the pushpinee-pinjula mirrors in the front right side of the Vimana, and focusing on it the suragha beam, a heavenly damsel bedecked with flowers and jewels will appear to onlookers of the Vimana.
15.Jyotirbhaava: As stated in “Amshubodhinee,” out of Samgnaana and other 16 digits of the solar glow, by attracting the 12th to the 16th digits and focusing them on the air force in the Mayookha section in the fourth pathway in the sky, and similarly by attracting the force of the etherial glow and mingling it with the glow in the 7th layer of air mass, and then by projecting both these forces through the 5 tubes in the Vimana on
to the section of the guhaa-garbha mirror, a rich glow like the morning glow of the sun will be produced.
16.Tamomaya: As described in “Darpana Prakarana,” by means of the dark force mirror, capture the force of darkness, pass it through the Thamo-Yantra in the north-west side of the Vimana, and by turning a switch produce at noon-day the utter darkness of the night
of the new-moon. 
17.Pralaya: As described in the magic book of destruction, attract the 5 kinds of smoke through the tube of the contracting machine in the front part of the Vimana, and merge it in the cloud-smoke mentioned in “Shadgarbha Viveka”, and pushing it by electric force through the five-limbed aerial tube, destroy everything as in a cataclysm.
18.Vimukha: As mentioned in “Rig-hridaya”, by projecting the force of Kubera, Vimukha and Vyshawaanara poison powder through the third tube of the roudree mirror and
turning the switch of the air mechanism, produce insensibility and coma.
19.Taara: By mixing with etherial force 10 parts of air forte, 7 parts of water force, and 16 parts of solar glow, and projecting it by means of the star-faced mirror through the frontal tube of the Vimana; the appearance of a star-spangled sky is created.
20.Mahaashabda Vimohana: By concentrating the air force in the seven tubes of the Vimana, and turning the switch, produce, as stated in “Shabda prakaash ikaa” a crescendo of thunderous din, which stuns people, and makes them quake with fear and become insensible.
21.Langhana: As stated in “Vaayu tattva prakarana” When crossing from one air stream into another, the Vimana faces the baadaba glow of the sun and catches fire. In order to prevent that, the electric force and air force in the Vimana should be conjoined and centred in the life-centre of the Vimana, and by turning the switch, the Vimana will leap into safety.
22.Saarpa-Gamana: By attracting the dandavaktra and other seven forces of air, and joining with solar rays, passing it through the zig-zagging centre of the Vimana, and turning the switch, the Vimana will have a zigzagging motion like a serpent.
23.Chaapala: On sighting an enemy plane, by turning the switch in the force centre in the middle section of the Vimana, a 4087 revolutions an hour atmospheric wave speed will be generated, and shake up the enemy plane.
24.Sarvatomukha: When a formation of enemy planes comes to attack one’s Vimana, by turning the switch at the crown of the Vimana, make it revolve with agility and face all sides.
25.Parashabda Graahaka: As explained in “Sowdaaminee kalaa” or science of electronics, by means of the sound capturing yantra in the Vimana, to hear the talks and sounds in enemy planes flying in the sky.
26.Roopaakarshana: By means of the photographic yantra in the Vimana to obtain a television view of things inside an enemy plane.
27.Kriyaagrahana: By turning the key at the bottom of the Vimana, a white cloth is made to appear. By electrifying the three acids in the north-east part of the Vimana, and subjecting them to the 7 kinds of solar rays, and passing the resultant force into the tube of the Thrisheersha mirror and making the cloth screen face the mirror, and switching on the upper key, all the activities going on down below on the ground, will be projected on the screen.
28.Dikpradarshana: Turning the key at the front of the Vimana the dishaampati yantra will show the direction from which the enemy plane is approaching.
29.Aakaashaakaara: According to “Aakaasha-tantra”, by mixing black mica solution with neem and bhoonaaga decoctions and smearing the solution on the outer body of the Vimana made of mica plates, and exposing to solar rays, the plane will look like the sky and become indistinguishable.
30.Jalada roopa: Mixing pomegranate juice, bilva or bael oil, copper-salt, kitchen smoke,
granthika or gugul liquid, mustard powder , and fish scale decoctions, and adding sea-shell and rock-salt powder, and collecting smoke of the same solution and spreading it with solar heat enveloping the cover, the Vimana will have the appearance of a cloud. ç31.Stabdhaka: By projecting apasmaara poison-fume smoke through the tube on the north side on the Vimana, and discharging it with stambhana-yantra, people in enemy planes will be made unconscious.
32.Karshana: When enemy planes come in strength to destroy one’s Vimana, by setting aflame the Jwaalinee shakit in the Vyshwaanara-naala or pipe located at the navel of the plane, and switching the keys of the two wheels to 87 degrees of heat, the burning shakti
will envelope the enemy plane and destroy it.
These are the 32 rahasyaas or secrets which should be known by pilots according to Siddhanaatha.

A humans body is the temple

Chittorgarh Fort (India - Rajasthan )

Chittorgarh Fort (Hindi/Rajasthani: चित्तौड दुर्ग Chittorgarh Durg) is the largest fort in India and the grandest in the state of Rajasthan. It is a World Heritage Site. The fort, plainly known as Chittor, was the capital of Mewar and is today situated several kilometres south of Bhilwara. It was initially ruled by Guhilot and later by Sisodias, the Suryavanshi clans of Chattari Rajputs, from the 7th century until it was finally abandoned in 1568 after the siege by Emperor Akbar in 1567. It sprawls majestically over the hill 180 m in height spread over an area of 280 ha above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort precinct with an evocative history is studded with a series of historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemoration towers. These monumental ruins have inspired the imagination of tourists and writers for centuries.

 

The fort was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries; in 1303,  Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535, Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567, Emperor Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who left the fort and founded Udaipur. Each time the men fought bravely, rushing out of the fort walls and charging the enemy but lost every time. Following these defeats, Jauhar was committed thrice by more than 13,000 ladies and children of the Rajput heroes who laid their lives in battles at Chittorgarh Fort, first led by Rani Padmini, wife of Rana Rattan Singh, who was killed in the battle in 1303, and later by Rani Karnavati in 1537 AD.

 

Thus, the fort represents the quintessence of tribute to the nationalism, courage, medieval chivalry and sacrifice exhibited by the Mewar rulers of Sisodia and their kinsmen and women and children between the 7th and 16th centuries. The rulers, their soldiers, the women folk of royalty and the commoners considered death as a better option than dishonour in the face of surrender to the foreign invading armies.

 GEOGRAPHY

Chittorgarh is located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, 233 km from Ajmer, midway between Delhi and Mumbai on the National Highway 8 (India) in the road network of Golden Quadrilateral. Chittorgarh is situated where National Highways No. 76 & 79 intersect.

 

The fort rises abruptly above the surrounding plains and is spread over an area of 2.8 km2. The highest elevation at the fort is 1,075 m. It is situated on the left bank of the Berach river (a tributary of the Banas River) and is linked to the new town of Chittorgarh (known as the 'Lower Town') developed in the plains after 1568 AD when the fort was deserted in light of the introduction of artillery in the 16th century, and therefore the capital was shifted to more secure Udaipur, located on the eastern flank of Aravalli hill range. Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked and sacked this fort which was but one of the 84 forts of Mewar, but the capital was shifted to Aravalli hills, where heavy artillery & cavalry were not effective. A winding hill road of more than 1 km length from the new town leads to the west end main gate, called Ram Pol, of the fort. Within the fort, a circular road provides access to all the gates and monuments located within the fort walls.

 

The fort that once boasted of 84 water bodies has only 22 of them now. These water bodies are fed by natural catchment and rainfall and have a combined storage of 4 billion litres that could meet the water needs of an army of 50,000. The supply could last for four years. These water bodies are in the form of ponds, wells and step wells.

 HISTORY

Chittorgarh Fort is considered to be the largest fort of India in terms of area. It is stated that the fort was constructed by the Mauryans during the 7th century AD and hence derives its name after the Mauryan ruler, Chitrangada Mori, as inscribed on coins of the period. Historical records show Chittorgarh fort as the capital of Mewar for 834 years. It was established in 734 AD by Bappa Rawal, the founder ruler in the hierarchy of the Sisodia rulers of Mewar. It is also said that the fort was gifted to Bappa Rawal as part of the Solanki princess’s dowry in the 8th century. The fort was looted and destroyed at the hands of Emperor Akbar in 1568 AD and never resettled but only refurbished in 1905 AD. Three important battles were fought to control the fort; in 1303, Ala-ud-din Khilji besieged the fort; in 1535, Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah besieged the fort; and in 1568, Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked the fort. Not that there were only defeats at the fort. Excluding the periods of siege, the fort had always possessed the Sisodias of the Guhilot (or Gehlot/Guhila) clan of Rajputs, who descended from Bappa Rawal. There were also success stories of the establishment of the fort and its reconstruction after every siege before it was finally abandoned in 1568, all of which are narrated.

 

Chittor is cited in the Mahabharat epic. It is said that Bhima, the second of the Pandava brothers of Epic Mahabharata fame, known for his mighty strength gave a powerful hit with his fist to the ground that resulted in water springing up to form a large reservoir. It is called Bhimlat Kund, an artificial tank named after Bhima. Folk legend also mentions that Bhima started building the fort.

 BAPPA RAWAL

The earliest history linked to the Bappa Rawal's fort is that of the Huna Kingdom of Sialkot (of Mihir Kula 515-540 AD) which was destroyed by Yashodharman. This was subsequently seized by a new dynasty of Kshatriyas called Tak or Tanaka. According to historians, the Taxak Mori were the lords of Chittor from a very early period. After a few generations, the Guhilots supplanted them. From 725 to 735 AD, there were numerous defenders who appeared to have considered the cause of Chittor their own, the Tak from Asirgarh. This race seems to have retained possession of Asirgarh for at least two centuries after this event, and one of its chieftains Bappa Rawal was the most conspicuous leader in the lineage of Prithvi Raj. In the poems of Chandar, he is called the "Standard, bearer, Tak of Asir."

 SIEGE OF 1303

Ala ud din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, rallied his forces against Mewar, in 1303 AD. The Chittorgarh fort was till then considered impregnable and grand, atop a natural hill. But his immediate reason for invading the fort was his obsessive desire to capture Rani Padmini, the unrivalled beautiful queen of Rana Ratan Singh and take her into his harem. The Rana, out of politeness, allowed the Khilji to view Padmini through a set of mirrors. But this viewing of Padmini further fired Khilji’s desire to possess her. After the viewing, as a gesture of courtesy, he was treacherously captured when the Rana accompanied the Sultan to the outer gate. Khilji conveyed to the queen that the Rana would be released only if she agreed to join his harem. But the queen had other plans. She agreed to go to his camp in strict secrecy if permitted to go in a Royal style with an entourage. Instead of her going, she sent 700 well-armed soldiers disguised in litter and they rescued the Rana and took him to the fort. But Khilji chased them to the fort where a fierce battle ensued at the outer gate of the fort in which the Rajput soldiers were overpowered and the Rana was killed. Khilji won the battle on August 26, 1303. Soon thereafter, instead of surrendering to the Sultan, the royal Rajput ladies led by Rani Padmini preferred to die through the Rajput’s ultimate tragic rite of Jauhar (self-immolation on a pyre). In revenge, Khilji killed thirty thousand Hindus. He entrusted the fort to his son Khizr Khan to rule and renamed the fort as 'Khizrabad'. He also showered gifts on his son by way of

 

a red canopy, a robe embroidered with gold and two standards, one green and the other black, and threw rubies and emeralds upon him.

 He returned to Delhi after the fierce battle at the fort.

 RANA HAMMIR & SUCCESSORS

Khizr Khan’s rule at the fort lasted till 1311 AD and due to the pressure of Rajputs he was forced to entrust power to the Sonigra chief Maldeva who held the fort for 7 years. Hammir Singh, usurped control of the fort from Maldeva by “treachery and intrigue” and Chittor once again regained its past glory. Hammir, before his death in 1364 AD, had converted Mewar into a fairly large and prosperous kingdom. The dynasty (and clan) fathered by him came to be known by the name Sisodia after the village where he was born. His son Ketra Singh succeeded him and ruled with honour and power. Ketra Singh’s son Lakha who ascended the throne in 1382 AD also won several wars. His famous grandson Rana Kumbha came to the throne in 1433 AD and by that time the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat had acquired considerable clout and were keen to usurp the powerful Mewar state.

 RANA KUMBHA & CLAN

There was resurgence during the reign of Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. Rana Kumbha, also known as Maharana Kumbhakarna, son of Rana Mokal, ruled Mewar between 1433 AD and 1468 AD. He is credited with building up the Mewar kingdom assiduously as a force to reckon with. He built 32 forts (84 fortresses formed the defense of Mewar) including one in his own name, called Kumbalgarh. But his end came in 1468 AD at the hands of his own son Rana Udaysimha (Uday Singh I) who assassinated him to gain the throne of Mewar. This patricide was not appreciated by the people of Mewar; consequently, his brother Rana Raimal assumed the reins of power in 1473. After his death in May 1509, Sangram Singh (also known as Rana Sanga), his youngest son, became Mewar's ruler, bringing in a new phase in the history of Mewar. Rana Sanga, with support from Medini Rai (a Rajput chief of Alwar), fought a valiant battle against Mughal emperor Babar at Khanwa in 1527. He ushered in a period of prestige to Chittor by defeating Gujarat's rulers and effectively interfering in Idar's matters. He also won small areas of the Delhi territory. In the ensuing battle with Ibrahim Lodi, Rana won and acquired some districts of Malwa. He also defeated the combined might of Sultan Muzaffar of Gujarat and the Sultan of Malwa. By 1525 AD, Rana Sanga had developed Chittor and Mewar into a formidable military state by great intellect, valour, and his sword. But in a decisive battle against Babar on March 16, 1527, the Rajput army of Rana Sanga suffered a terrible defeat and Sanga escaped to one of his fortresses. But soon thereafter in another attack on the Chanderi fort the valiant Rana Sanga died and with his death the Rajput confederacy collapsed.

 SIEGE OF 1534

Bahadur Shah who came to the throne in 1526 AD as the Sultan of Gujarat besieged the Chittorgarh fort in 1534. The fort was sacked and, once again the medieval dictates of chivalry determined the outcome. Following the defeat of the Rana, it is said 13,000 Rajput women committed jauhar (self immolation on the funeral pyre) and 3,200 Rajput warriors rushed out of the fort to fight and die.

 SIEGE OF 1567

The final Siege of Chittorgarh came 33 years later, in 1567, when the Mughal Emperor Akbar invaded the fort. Akbar wanted to conquer Mewar, which was ably ruled by Rana Uday Singh II, a fine prince of Mewar. To establish himself as the supreme lord of Northern India, he wanted to capture the renowned fortress of Chittor as a precursor to conquering the whole of India. Shakti Singh, son of the Rana who had quarrelled with his father, had run away and approached Akbar when the latter had camped at Dholpur preparing to attack Malwa. During one of these meetings, in August 1567, Shakti Singh learned from a remark made in jest by emperor Akbar that he intended to wage war against Chittor. Akbar had told Shakti Singh in jest that since his father had not submitted himself before him like other princes and chieftains of the region, he would attack him. Startled by this revelation, Shakti Singh quietly rushed back to Chittor and informed his father of the impending invasion by Akbar. Akbar was furious with the departure of Shakti Singh and decided to attack Mewar to humble the arrogance of the Ranas. In September 1567, the emperor left for Chittor, and on October 20, 1567, camped in the vast plains outside the fort. In the meantime, on the advice of his council of advisors, Rana Udai Singh decided to go away from Chittor to the hills of Udaipur. Jaimal and Patta, two brave army chieftains of Mewar, were left behind to defend the fort along with 8,000 Rajput warriors under their command. Akbar laid siege to the fortress. The Rajput army fought valiantly and Akbar himself had narrowly escaped death. In this grave situation, Akbar had prayed for divine help for achieving victory and vowed to visit the shrine of the sufi saint Khwaja at Ajmer. The battle continued till February 23, 1568. On that day Jaymal was seriously wounded but he continued to fight with support from Patta. Jayamal ordered Jauhar to be performed when many beautiful princesses of Mewar and noble matrons committed self-immolation at the funeral pyre. Next day the gates of the fort were opened, and Rajput soldiers rushed out bravely to fight the enemies. Jayamal and Patta, who fought bravely were at last killed in action. One figure estimates that 30,000 soldiers were killed in action. Akbar immediately repaired himself to Ajmer to perform his religious vow.

 RETURN OF THE FORT TO MEWAR

But in 1616, Jehangir returned Chittor fort to the Rajputs, when Maharana Amar Singh was the chief of Mewar. However, the fort was not resettled though it was refurbished several centuries later in 1905 during British Raj.

 PRECINCTS

The fort which is roughly in the shape of a fish has a circumference of 13 km with a maximum width of 3 km and it covers an area of 700 acres. The fort is approached through a zig zag and difficult ascent of more than 1 km from the plains, after crossing over a bridge made in limestone. The bridge spans the Gambhiri River and is supported by ten arches (one has a curved shape while the balance have pointed arches). Apart from the two tall towers, which dominate the majestic fortifications, the sprawling fort has a plethora of palaces and temples (many of them in ruins) within its precincts.

 

The 305 hectares component site, with a buffer zone of 427 hectares, encompasses the fortified stronghold of Chittorgarh, a spacious fort located on an isolated rocky plateau of approximately 2 km length and 155m width.

 

It is surrounded by a perimeter wall 4.5 kilometres long, beyond which a 45° hill slope makes it almost inaccessible to enemies. The ascent to the fort passes through seven gateways built by the Mewar ruler Rana Kumbha (1433- 1468) of the Sisodia clan. These gates are called, from the base to the hill top, the Paidal Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jorla Pol, Laxman Pol, and Ram Pol, the final and main gate.

 

The fort complex comprises 65 historic built structures, among them 4 palace complexes, 19 main temples, 4 memorials and 20 functional water bodies. These can be divided into two major construction phases. The first hill fort with one main entrance was established in the 5th century and successively fortified until the 12th century. Its remains are mostly visible on the western edges of the plateau. The second, more significant defence structure was constructed in the 15th century during the reign of the Sisodia Rajputs, when the royal entrance was relocated and fortified with seven gates, and the medieval fortification wall was built on an earlier wall construction from the 13th century.

 

Besides the palace complex, located on the highest and most secure terrain in the west of the fort, many of the other significant structures, such as the Kumbha Shyam Temple, the Mira Bai Temple, the Adi Varah Temple, the Shringar Chauri Temple, and the Vijay Stambh memorial were constructed in this second phase. Compared to the later additions of Sisodian rulers during the 19th and 20th centuries, the predominant construction phase illustrates a comparatively pure Rajput style combined with minimal eclecticism, such as the vaulted substructures which were borrowed from Sultanate architecture. The 4.5 km walls with integrated circular enforcements are constructed from dressed stone masonry in lime mortar and rise 500m above the plain. With the help of the seven massive stone gates, partly flanked by hexagonal or octagonal towers, the access to the fort is restricted to a narrow pathway which climbs up the steep hill through successive, ever narrower defence passages. The seventh and final gate leads directly into the palace area, which integrates a variety of residential and official structures. Rana Kumbha Mahal, the palace of Rana Kumbha, is a large Rajput domestic structure and now incorporates the Kanwar Pade Ka Mahal (the palace of the heir) and the later palace of the poetess Mira Bai (1498-1546). The palace area was further expanded in later centuries, when additional structures, such as the Ratan Singh Palace (1528–31) or the Fateh Prakash, also named Badal Mahal (1885-1930), were added. Although the majority of temple structures represent the Hindu faith, most prominently the Kalikamata Temple (8th century), the Kshemankari Temple (825-850) the Kumbha Shyam Temple (1448) or the Adbuthnath Temple (15th- 16th century), the hill fort also contains Jain temples, such as Shringar Chauri (1448) and Sat Bis Devri (mid-15th century) Also the two tower memorials, Kirti Stambh (13th-14th century) and Vijay Stambha (1433-1468), are Jain monuments. They stand out with their respective heights of 24m and 37m, which ensure their visibility from most locations of the fort complex. Finally, the fort compound is home to a contemporary municipal ward of approximately 3,000 inhabitants, which is located near Ratan Singh Tank at the northern end of the property.

 GATES

The fort has total seven gates (in local language, gate is called Pol), namely the Padan Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jodla Pol, Laxman Pol and the main gate named the Ram Pol (Lord Rama's Gate). All the gateways to the fort have been built as massive stone structures with secure fortifications for military defense. The doors of the gates with pointed arches are reinforced to fend off elephants and cannon shots. The top of the gates have notched parapets for archers to shoot at the enemy army. A circular road within the fort links all the gates and provides access to the numerous monuments (ruined palaces and 130 temples) in the fort.

 

During the second siege, Prince Bagh Singh died at the Padan Pol in 1535 AD. Prince Jaimal of Badnore and his clansman Kalla were killed by Akbar at a location between the Bhairon Pol and Hanuman Pol in the last siege of the fort in 1567 (Kalla carried the wounded Jaimal out to fight). Chhatris, with the roof supported by corbeled arches, have been built to commemorate the spots of their sacrifice. Their statues have also been erected, at the orders of Emperor Akbar, to commemorate their valiant deaths. At each gate, cenotaphs of Jaimal (in the form of a statue of a Rajput warrior on horseback) and Patta have also been constructed. At Ram Pol, the entrance gate to the fort, a Chaatri was built in memory of the 15 year old Patta of Kelwa, who had lost his father in battle, and saw the sword yielding mother and wife on the battle field who fought valiantly and died at this gate. He led the saffron robed Rajput warriors, who all died fighting for Mewar’s honour. Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) provides entry to the eastern wall of the fort. On the right of Suraj Pol is the Darikhana or Sabha (council chamber) behind which lie a Ganesha temple and the zenana (living quarters for women). A massive water reservoir is located towards the left of Suraj Pol. There is also a peculiar gate, called the Jorla Pol (Joined Gate), which consists of two gates joined together. The upper arch of Jorla Pol is connected to the base of Lakshman Pol. It is said that this feature has not been noticed anywhere else in India. The Lokota Bari is the gate at the fort’s northern tip, while a small opening that was used to hurl criminals into the abyss is seen at the southern end.

 VIJAY STAMBHA

The Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) or Jaya Stambha, called the symbol of Chittor and a particularly bold expression of triumph, was erected by Rana Kumbha between 1458 and 1468 to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Shah I Khalji, the Sultan of Malwa, in 1440 AD. Built over a period of ten years, it raises 37.2 metres over a 4.4 m2 base in nine stories accessed through a narrow circular staircase of 157 steps (the interior is also carved) up to the 8th floor, from where there is good view of the plains and the new town of Chittor. The dome, which was a later addition, was damaged by lightning and repaired during the 19th century. The Stamba is now illuminated during the evenings and gives a beautiful view of Chittor from the top.

 KIRTI STAMBHA

Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame) is a 22 metres high tower built on a 9.1 m base with 4.6 m at the top, is adorned with Jain sculptures on the outside and is older (probably 12th century) and smaller than the Victory Tower. Built by a Bagherwal Jain merchant Jijaji Rathod, it is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankar (revered Jain teacher). In the lowest floor of the tower, figures of the various tirthankars of the Jain pantheon are seen in special niches formed to house them. These are digambara monuments. A narrow stairway with 54 steps leads through the six storeys to the top. The top pavilion that was added in the 15th century has 12 columns.

 RANA KUMBHA PALACE

At the entrance gate near the Vijaya Stamba, Rana Kumbha's palace (in ruins), the oldest monument, is located. The palace included elephant and horse stables and a temple to Lord Shiva. Maharana Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur, was born here; the popular folk lore linked to his birth is that his maid Panna DaiPanna Dhai saved him by substituting her son in his place as a decoy, which resulted in her son getting killed by Banbir. The prince was spirited away in a fruit basket. The palace is built with plastered stone. The remarkable feature of the palace is its splendid series of canopied balconies. Entry to the palace is through Suraj Pol that leads into a courtyard. Rani Meera, the famous poetess saint, also lived in this palace. This is also the palace where Rani Padmini, consigned herself to the funeral pyre in one of the underground cellars, as an act of jauhar along with many other women. The Nau Lakha Bandar (literal meaning: nine lakh treasury) building, the royal treasury of Chittor was also located close by. Now, across from the palace is a museum and archeological office. The Singa Chowri temple is also nearby.

 FATEH PRAKASH PALACE

Located near Rana Khumba palace, built by Rana Fateh Singh, the precincts have modern houses and a small museum. A school for local children (about 5,000 villagers live within the fort) is also nearby.

 GAUMUKH RESERVOIR

A spring feeds the tank from a carved cow’s mouth in the cliff. This pool was the main source of water at the fort during the numerous sieges.

 PADMINI´S PALACE

Padmini's Palace or Rani Padmini's Palace is a white building and a three storied structure (a 19th-century reconstruction of the original). It is located in the southern part of the fort. Chhatris (pavilions) crown the palace roofs and a water moat surrounds the palace. This style of palace became the forerunner of other palaces built in the state with the concept of Jal Mahal (palace surrounded by water). It is at this Palace where Alauddin was permitted to glimpse the mirror image of Rani Padmini, wife of Maharana Rattan Singh. It is widely believed that this glimpse of Padmini's beauty besotted him and convinced him to destroy Chittor in order to possess her. Maharana Rattan Singh was killed and Rani Padmini committed Jauhar. Rani Padmini's beauty has been compared to that of Cleopatra and her life story is an eternal legend in the history of Chittor. The bronze gates to this pavilion were removed and transported to Agra by Akbar.

 OTHER SIGHTS

Close to Kirti Sthamba is the Meera Temple, or the Meerabai Temple. Rana Khumba built it in an ornate Indo–Aryan architectural style. It is associated with the mystic saint-poet Mirabai who was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and dedicated her entire life to His worship. She composed and sang lyrical bhajans called Meera Bhajans. The popular legend associated with her is that with blessings of Krishna, she survived after consuming poison sent to her by her evil brother-in-law. The larger temple in the same compound is the Kumbha Shyam Temple (Varaha Temple). The pinnacle of the temple is in pyramid shape. A picture of Meerabai praying before Krishna has now been installed in the temple.

 

Across from Padmini’s Palace is the Kalika Mata Temple. Originally, a Sun Temple dated to the 8th century dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) was destroyed in the 14th century. It was rebuilt as a Kali temple.

 

Another temple on the west side of the fort is the ancient Goddess Tulja Bhavani Temple built to worship Goddess Tulja Bhavani is considered sacred. The Tope Khana (cannon foundry) is located next to this temple in a courtyard, where a few old cannons are still seen.

 JAUHAR MELA

The fort and the city of Chittorgarh host the biggest Rajput festival called the "Jauhar Mela". It takes place annually on the anniversary of one of the jauhars, but no specific name has been given to it. It is generally believed that it commemorates Padmini’s jauhar, which is most famous. This festival is held primarily to commemorate the bravery of Rajput ancestors and all three jauhars which happened at Chittorgarh Fort. A huge number of Rajputs, which include the descendants of most of the princely families, hold a procession to celebrate the Jauhar. It has also become a forum to air one's views on the current political situation in the country.