The Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame) is a remarkable historical and architectural monument situated within the Chittor Fort in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India. Erected in the 12th century CE, this tower stands as a testament to the region's enduring significance as a major Jain center, a tradition that dates back to at least the Kushana period (1st–3rd centuries CE).
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| Kirti Stambha Chittor Fort,Rajasthan, /en.wikipedia.org |
The tower was built by a wealthy Jain merchant, Jeeja Bhagerwala, between c. 1179 and 1191 CE, under the patronage of Rawal Kumar Singh. Inscriptions later link the structure's completion to the early 13th century. This dating establishes the Kirti Stambha as chronologically older than the famous Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory), which is also located within the same fort. The structure was an important religious site, serving for a period as the residence of Jinavallabha, who propagated the Vidhimarga in the 12th century, and later functioning as the seat of a Jain Bhattaraka from the 15th to the 17th centuries.
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Architecturally, the Kirti Stambha is a striking example of the Solanki style. It is a slender, soaring structure that rises to a height of approximately 22 meters (72 ft). The tower is built upon a substantial 9 x 9 meter square plinth and is divided into seven distinct storeys.
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| Mahavir Jain temple and Kirti stambha,ChittorFort, RJ, image:Ballal.upload.wikimedia.org |
The tower's dedication is clearly rooted in Jainism. It is consecrated to Rishabhanatha (also known as Adinath), the First Tirthankara of Jainism. The lower levels of the tower—including the ground level known as the Hansh Peeth, along with the Sinha-mukh Thar, Gaja Thar, and Nava Thar—were originally sculpted to house life-size images of Rishabhanatha within its niches. The Kirti Stambha stands near the Saat-Bees Jain temple, further emphasizing its religious context.
The surrounding area of Chittor has a deep history as a hub for Jain scholarship. The town was adjacent to the ancient city of Madhyamika and is mentioned in Jain inscriptions from the Kushana period. Noteworthy scholars associated with Chittor include Acharya Haribhadra Suri (6th century CE), a celebrated author, and Vira-senacharya (9th century CE), who learned the crucial ancient scriptures, the Shat-khandagama and Kashayapahuda, while in Chittor, later using them to compose the renowned Dhavala and Jayadhavala texts.
The Kirti Stambha is not just a monument of victory or fame; it is a vital piece of heritage, reflecting centuries of religious, mercantile, and scholarly activity in the region, all contained within the walls of the great Chittor Fort.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirti_Stambha
https://www.rajasthantourplanner.com/Tourist-Places-Rajasthan/kirti-stambh-chittorgarh.html
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