Chittorgadh Kirtti-Stambha of Maharana Kumbha
(The Idea & The Form)  (1440-60 A.D.)
PROF. R. NATH

Size 22x28 cms, pages 254,
16 figures, 48 plates, 2 maps, hard-bound

 

Maharana Kumbha of Mewar, the preceptor of Medieval Indian Renaissance in the right earnest, built his greatest monument, the Kirtti-Stambha in the fort of Chittorgadh (Rajasthan), between 1440 and 1460 A.D. It is generally known by the misnomer : 'Vijaya-Stambha' (The Tower of Victory). The author has studied it exhaustively and concluded that it was not built to commemorate a military event and it is not a Victory Tower. He has examined the fundamental question: what was the 'idea' which led to its incarnation in this marvellous 'form', under such headings as 'Mahameru', 'Vedic Skambha', 'Trailokya-Mahagrha' and 'Janardana Dhvajastambha'. He has enumerated the classical background of this thought and traced the stages of its development, and representation thereof in stone. Its architecture has been studied and the sculptures of gods and goddesses which make it an 'Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Mythology' and a unique work of medieval Iconography, as much as of architecture, have been identified. Texts and translations of epigraphs, including the Kirttistambha-Prasasti (which was carved on four stone slabs); Colophon-prasastis of his literary works; and texts on the architecture of Kirtti-stambhas have been given in 12 appendices.

Chapters:

 1. Exertions of the Adivaraha
 2. Architectural Texts and Relics
 3. Defensive Wars and a Fictitious Victory
 4. The Misnomer: 'Vijayastambha'
 5. Gaumukha-Tirthasthala
 6. Mahameru-Kirttistambha
 7. Vedic 'Skambha' and 'Trailokya-Mahagrha'
 8. Garuda and Janardana Dhvaja-Stambha
 9. The Precursor: Jaina Kirtti-Stambha (JKS)
10. Architecture and Sculpture of the Kirtti-Stambha