New Delhi: In the ancient and early medieval period in India, before the foundation of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent by Babur, the Rajputs were one of the most powerful forces in the country. Make no mistake, there were a force to reckon with even after the rise of the Mughal Empire, which is why the greatest Mughal Akbar resorted to the policy of diplomacy and marriage to form an alliance with the Rajputs and bring them under the fold of his administration.
Vijay Stambha: The representation of a Rajput victory
Vijay Stambha is located within the Chittor Fort in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh, the state which is known for its many forts and stunning pieces of architecture. The Vijay Stambha is a monument which was constructed to commemorate a famous Rajput victory. Rana Kumbha, the famous Rajput king of Mewar constructed the tower in 1448 CE to commemorate his victory in the Battle of Sarangpur over the Malwa army which was led by Sultan Mahmud Khilji. The Vijay Stambha is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is hailed as one of the best examples of the Rajput architecture and some even consider it superior to the Qutub Minar.
Vijay Stambha: A throwback to the glorious Rajput past
Rana Kumbha built the Vijay Stambha to commemorate his fantastic victory in the Battle of Sarangpur and it was constructed in the famous Chittor Fort. The Rana vanquished two very powerful kingdoms at the same time, those of Malwa and Gujarat. The great tower has these events inscribed on it.
For six months, Sultan Mahmud Khilji remained a prisoner in Chittor and Rana Kumbha freed him after getting ransom. In the uppermost storey of the tower, there are inscribed slabs with a detailed genealogy of the rulers of Chittor. The architect of the tower is Sutradhar Jaita and his three sons, Napa, Puja, and Poma, helped him.
What happened in the Battle of Sarangpur?
In the Battle of Sarangpur, the army of Rana Kumbha faced the forces of Sultan of Malwa, Mahmud Khilji after the latter refused to give up one of the assassins of Rana Mokal, Mahpa Panwar. Rana Kumbha advanced to attack Malwa and destroyed the powerful army of the Sultan to bring him back as a captive.
The Vijay Stambha, a towering monument within Chittor Fort, Rajasthan, commemorates Rana Kumbha’s victory at the Battle of Sarangpur. Built in 1448 CE, it showcases exceptional Rajput architecture, surpassing even the Qutub Minar in some opinions. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
