Previous Year Question
The Kirtistambha at Chittor was built by
Rana Sanga
Rana Kumbha
Rana Pratap
Rana Udai Singh
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The famous tower at Chittorgarh constructed by Rana Kumbha is actually the Vijay Stambh or Tower of Victory. According to the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Maharana Kumbha had it constructed between 1440 CE and 1448 CE to commemorate his victory over the rulers of Malwa and Gujarat.
It is an approximately nine-storeyed monument, and its exterior contains extensive sculptures of Hindu deities and other figures. UNESCO's Chittorgarh nomination material also describes the Vijay Stambh as a monument erected after Rana Kumbha's victory.
However, Chittorgarh also contains a separate monument called the Kirti Stambh or Tower of Fame. It is a Jain monument dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adinatha or Rishabhadeva.
The Rajasthan Tourism Department clearly distinguishes it from the Vijay Stambh and states that this seven-storeyed Kirti Stambh was built by a wealthy Jain merchant.
An official Archaeological Survey-related description makes the point still clearer. It records that an inscription on the Kirti Stambh attributes its erection to Bagherwal Mahajan Jija, son of Naya.
Thus, the historical distinction is—
Vijay Stambh — Rana Kumbha
Jain Kirti Stambh — Mahajan Jija