Kirti Stambha, Jain tower in Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh, India
Kirti Stambha is a Jain monument inside Chittorgarh Fort that was built using limestone and divided into seven tiers decorated with carved figures and architectural details. Each level features niches and relief panels that gradually taper as they reach toward the top of the structure.
A merchant from the Jain community commissioned the tower in the late 12th century during the rule of Rawal Kumar Singh. Inscriptions on the monument record both the patron and the years when construction took place.
The name kirti stambha pairs kirti, meaning fame or a building that spreads it, with stambha, tower. The tower is dedicated to Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara, and its niches once held life-size images of him. From the 15th to the 17th century it served as the seat of a Jain Bhattaraka.
Visitors can view the tower from the outside since access to the interior is not allowed. The site lies in the western part of the fort, making it easy to reach while walking through the historic grounds.
The monument carries three separate inscriptions that record the patron, the religious branch, and the construction period. These texts offer direct insight into the intentions of medieval donors and how building projects were organized at that time.
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