Vijaya Stambha

The Vijaya Stambha is an imposing victory monument located within Chittor Fort in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India. The tower was constructed by the Mewar king, Rana Kumbha, in 1448 to commemorate his victory over the combined armies of Malwa and Gujarat led by Mahmud Khilji. The tower is dedicated to Vishnu.[1]

Not to be confused with Kirti Stambha.

Vijaya Stambha
Vijaya Stambha (Tower of Victory)
Location within India
Vijaya Stambha (Rajasthan)
Alternative namesKirttistambha[1]
General information
TypeTower
LocationChittorgarh, Rajasthan, India
Coordinates24.887870°N 74.645157°E / 24.887870; 74.645157
Completed1448[1]
Height37.19 m (122 ft)[1]
Technical details
Floor count9[1]
Design and construction
ArchitectSutradhar Jaita[1]

While Vijaya Stambha is its common name, it is technically a Kirttistambha or Kirti Stambha, a "tower of fame".[1][2]

Inscriptions

The inscribed slabs in the uppermost storey containing a detailed genealogy of the rulers of Chittaur and their deeds is ascribed to Ran Kumbha court scholar, Atri and his son Mahesh. The names of the architect, Sutradhar Jaita and his three sons who assisted him, Napa, Puja, and Poma, are carved on the fifth floor of the tower.[1]

The Vijaya Stambha is a remarkable example of religious pluralism practised by the Rajputs. The topmost storey features an image of the Jain Goddess, Padmavati. [3][4]

Vijaya Stambha view from Chittorgarh city
  • Guidestone
  • A photograph of the tower c. 1875.[5]
  • A view of the tower from 1924 by Georg Morgenstierne
  • Vijaya Stambha with Gaumukh reservoir in the foreground.

See also

References
  1. "Chittaurgarh Fort, Distt. Chittaurgarh". Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  2. Chandra, Satish (2004). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206-1526) - Part One. Har-Anand Publications. p. 224. ISBN 9788124110645.
  3. Chittorgarh, Shobhalal Shastri, 1928, pp. 64-65
  4. Ali, M. Athar (January 1990). "Encounter and Efflorescence: Genesis of the Medieval Civilization". Social Scientist. 18 (1/2): 20. JSTOR 3517324.
  5. "Tower of victory [or Jaya Stambh], Chitor". www.bl.uk. British Library. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
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