Maharana Kumbha

2007-02-11T11:44:00.000-08:00

Maharana Kumbha

Maharana Kumbha was the eldest son of Rana Mokal by his Parmar Queen, Sobhagya Devi, daughter of Jaitmal Sankhla, and thus united in himself the fine qualities of these two royal races of India, the culture of one and the chivalry of the other. Maharana Kumbha ascended the throne of Mewar in A.D. 1433 in the renowned fortress of Chittor, and ruled till A.D. 1488, a period of nearly 35 years, which was one of the most prosperous and important in the history of Mewar.

Kumbhalgarh fort built by Maharana Kumbha. Perimeter wall is 20 miles long. Six horses could ride simultaneously on the fort ramparts.

The capture of Nagor in A.D. 1435 by Maharana Kumbha brought Sultan Qutbud-din of Gujarat into the field against him. With the Sultan of Malwa, the Maharana had come into collision in the early part of his reign. These two kingdoms, the most powerful Mussalman principalities in India at the time were defeated singly by the Maharana. These two Mohammedan kingdoms combined and simultaneously invaded Mewar from the west and the south; but Kumbha, supported by the chivalry of Mewar and inspired by the patriotic valour of the Guhilot Rajputs, vanquished them both. Maharana Kumbha repeatedly defeated sultans of Malwa and Gujarat and built 32 forts in Rajasthan. Even the combined armies of sultans of Malwa and Gujarat could not beat Kumbha. To commemorate his victory over these Muslim rulers, Maharana Kumbha built the victory tower in 1440 A.D.

The tower has nine-stories and is covered with exquisite sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses depicting episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Vijay Sthamb (Victory Tower) built by Maharana Kumbha