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From
the Publisher
Maharana Kumbha of
Mewar, who was the preceptor
of Medieval Indian Renaissance, built his greatest
monument, the Kirttishambha in the fort of
Chittorgadh (Rajasthan) between 1440 and 1460 A.D.
It is generally known by the misnomer 'VijayaStambha' (The Tower of Victory), though it
was not built to commemorate a military event. The
author has examined here the fundamental question:
what was the 'idea' which led to its incarnation
in such a beautiful 'form', under such headings as
'Mahameru', 'Vedic Skambha', 'Trailokya-Mahameru',
and Garuda and Janardana Dhvaja-Stambha;
enumerated the classical background of this
thought and philosophy; and traced the various
stages of its development, and representation
thereof in stone. It has been architecturally
studied and the sculptures of Hindu gods and
goddesses which make it an 'Illustrated Dictionary
of Hindu Mythology' and a unique work on medieval
Iconography, as much as on 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 Vastu-texts on
Kirttistambhas have been given in 12 appendices.
The text is adequately illustrated by 16 figures
and 48 b&w plates.
Author
Description
Professor R. Nath did his post-graduation in
History, Ph.D. and D.Litt. from Agra University
and taught at Agra College, Agra and the
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, from where he
retired as Professor of History. He is one of the
front-ranking art historians of Medieval Indian
Architecture. Though he specialized in Mughal
Architecture, on which he has authored a five
volume series: History of Mughal Architecture, he
has also written extensively on ancient
architecture of India as it developed during the
Medieval ages. His series on the Antiquities of
Chittorgadh is the most notable, of which
Chittorgadh Kirttistambha of Maharana Kumbha is
the core and the most important work. He has
authored 50 books, 12 monographs, 156
research-papers and 250 popular articles and he is
a prolific and versatile writer. He has finally
settled down at Agra, his home town.
Contents
|
Dedication |
ii |
|
Bibliographical Abbreviations |
v |
|
List of Diacriticals |
ix |
|
List of Illustrations (Maps, Figures and
Plates) |
xi |
|
Preface |
xv |
| Chapters |
|
|
| 1. |
Exertions of the Adivaraha |
1 |
| 2. |
Architectural Texts and Relics |
13 |
| 3. |
Defensive Wars and a Fictitious Victory |
27 |
| 4. |
The Misnomer:
'Vijayastambha' |
43 |
| 5. |
Gaumukha-Tirthasthala |
52 |
| 6. |
Mahameru-Kirttistambha |
62 |
| 7. |
Vedic 'Skambha' and
'Trailokya-Mahagrha' |
70 |
| 8. |
Garuda and Janardana Dhvaja-Stambha |
80 |
| 9. |
The Precursor: Jaina Kirtti-Stambha
(JKS) |
96 |
| 10. |
Architecture and Sculpture of the
Kirtti-Stambha |
114 |
| Appendices |
|
|
| A. |
A list of Important Birudas (Epithets) of
Maharana Kumbha |
146 |
| B. |
Text and Translation of the
Kirtti-Stambha-Prasasti (KP) |
151 |
| C. |
Colophon-Prasasti of the Suda-Prabandha
(Text and Translation) |
171 |
| D. |
Prasasti of Kamaraja-Ratisara (Text) |
173 |
| E. |
Architects 'Notings' in the Kirttistambha
(KS) |
175 |
| F. |
Purnasimha Prasasti of the Jaina
Kirttistambha (JKS) (c. 1300 A.D.) (Text) |
178 |
| G. |
Citrakuta-Durga-Mahavira-Prasada-Prasasti of
Gunaraja (V.S. 1495/1438 A.D.) (Text and
Translation) |
181 |
| H. |
Corrected and Reconstructed Inscription of
V.S. 1541/1484 A.D. of Karanja (Nandgaon Image
Inscription) (Text) |
186 |
| I. |
Genealogical Table of Jijaka as given in the
Karanja (Nandgaon Image) Inscription of V.S.
1541/1484 A.D. |
188 |
| J. |
Aparajitaprccha Texts on Kirtti-Stambhas
(Text and Translation) |
189 |
| K. |
Vastu-Vidya Text on Kirtti-Stambhas (Text
and Translation) |
193 |
| L. |
Diparnava Text on Kirtti-Stambhas (Text and
Translation) |
196 |
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