Location of Kumbhalgarh had always been its greatest advantage and perhaps the only reason of it being where it is. Rana Kumbha of Mewar built this great defensive fortress on an 1100 m high hill overlooking the approaches from Ajmer and Marwar in 15th century. Today, precisely because it is within easy reach of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, and Pushkar- yet off the well-trodden tourist- Kumbhalgarh is an attractive destination.

In 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 defined the boundaries between Mewar and Marwar, and became a refuge for Mewar's rulers in times of strife. Kumbhalgarh fell only once in its history, to the combined forces of Emperor Akbar, Raja Man Singh of Amber, and Raja Udai Singh of Marwar.