Fortification refers to a defensive wall built to strengthen a place against attack. Many Rajput chieftains built a number of forts on hill tops which became the centres of power. With extensive fortifications, these large structures included urban centres, palaces, temples, trading centres, water harvesting structures and other buildings.
For example, the Chittorgarh fort contained many water bodies varying fromtalabs (ponds) to kundis (wells), baolis (stepwells), etc.