The Rajput warriors Jaimal and Patta became famous for defending which fort against Akbar in 1567-68?

Jaimal (Jaimal Rathore of Merta) and Patta (Fateh Singh Sisodia of Kelwa) became famous for defending the fort of Chittor (Chittorgarh) against the Mughal emperor Akbar during the siege of 1567-68.

Background:

• Rana Udai Singh of Mewar refused to accept Akbar's authority.
• Akbar attacked Chittor in October 1567.
• On the advice of his nobles, Udai Singh left the fort and retired to the hills, leaving its defence to Jaimal and Patta, with about 8,000 Rajput soldiers.

The siege:

• The siege lasted about four months.
• Akbar's army used mines, cannons and a covered approach (sabat) to reach the walls.
• Jaimal was killed by a musket shot fired by Akbar himself, according to Mughal accounts.
• When the end came, the women of the fort performed "jauhar", and the men, led by Patta, went out to fight to the death (the "saka").
• The fort fell in February 1568, and a large number of people were killed.

Akbar's tribute:

• Impressed by their bravery, Akbar had statues of Jaimal and Patta, seated on elephants, placed at the gate of the Agra Fort.
• These statues were later removed.
• Jaimal and Patta became heroes of Rajput ballads and legends.

After the fall of Chittor:

Udai Singh's son, Maharana Pratap, continued the resistance against the Mughals.

About Chittorgarh:

• It is one of the largest forts in India, in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan.
• It is famous for its three jauhars.
• It contains the Vijay Stambha, the Kirti Stambha, the Rana Kumbha Palace and the Padmini Palace.
• It is part of the "Hill Forts of Rajasthan" UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Ranthambore was captured by Akbar in 1569.
• ✗Kalinjar was surrendered to Akbar's forces in 1569.
• ✗Kumbhalgarh was a stronghold of Maharana Pratap.