RAS question
The Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory) at Chittorgarh was built by Rana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over:
Correct answer: (B) Combined forces of Malwa and Gujarat.
Rana Kumbha built the Vijay Stambh at Chittorgarh to commemorate his victory over the combined forces of Malwa and Gujarat.
Explanation
The Vijay Stambh, or Tower of Victory, at Chittorgarh is tied directly to Rana Kumbha's military success against the combined armies of Malwa and Gujarat. The UNESCO nomination document for the Hill Forts of Rajasthan states that the tower was erected after this victory and identifies Rana Kumbha as its patron. The exam-relevant detail is that the victory was over Mahmud Khilji of Malwa and the combined Malwa-Gujarat forces. Its commemorative purpose matters: the monument is not just a tall architectural landmark, but a political memorial in stone. The tower is about 37 metres high, with nine storeys, and its architect was Sutradhara Jaita.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Bahlol Lodi of Delhi is not linked to the victory commemorated by the Vijay Stambh in the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Hill Forts of Rajasthan nomination dossier.
- (C) Rao Jodha of Marwar is a known adversary in Rana Kumbha's wider history, but the Vijay Stambh was not built to commemorate a victory over him.
- (D) Zainul Abidin of Kashmir does not fit the monument's context, since no major conflict with him is relevant here and the tower is tied to Malwa and Gujarat.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan's medieval political history through a monument-patron-victory linkage. It recurs in RAS because Chittorgarh's forts, towers and temples are core anchors for Mewar history and Rajasthan art-culture questions.