Who built the famous Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) at Chittorgarh in Rajasthan history?

Introduction / Context:
The Vijay Stambha, or Tower of Victory, at Chittorgarh in present day Rajasthan is one of the most iconic monuments of Rajput history. It symbolizes military success, devotion, and the cultural richness of the Mewar kingdom. Many competitive examinations ask about the patron or builder of this tower, so this question tests your knowledge of the rulers of Mewar and their architectural legacy.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The monument in question is the Vijay Stambha, also called the Tower of Victory.
• Its location is Chittorgarh, which was the capital of the Mewar kingdom.
• The options list famous Rajput rulers associated with Mewar, such as Maharana Pratap, Rana Kumbha, and Rana Sanga.
• The question is asking who actually commissioned and built this tower.

Concept / Approach:
To answer correctly, you need to connect the monument with the specific ruler and the historical event it commemorates. The Vijay Stambha was constructed by Rana Kumbha of Mewar in the fifteenth century to celebrate his victory over combined armies of Malwa and Gujarat. Although Maharana Pratap and Rana Sanga are also very famous as warrior rulers of Mewar, they belong to a later period and are linked with different battles, such as Haldighati for Maharana Pratap. Therefore, remembering the timeline and the victory associated with Rana Kumbha guides you to the right option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the Vijay Stambha is a tower with intricate carvings located inside the Chittorgarh Fort complex. Step 2: Recall that Rana Kumbha ruled Mewar during the fifteenth century and fought against the Sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat. Step 3: Understand that he built the tower to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khilji of Malwa. Step 4: Identify that Maharana Pratap and Rana Sanga were later rulers involved in struggles against Mughal power, not the builders of this particular monument. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is Rana Kumbha, the ruler who commissioned and completed the Vijay Stambha.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard history textbooks on medieval India, as well as tourism information on Chittorgarh, clearly attribute the Vijay Stambha to Rana Kumbha. Descriptions often refer to it as a nine storey tower built by Rana Kumbha in the fifteenth century. No credible historical source claims that Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga, or Kunwar Durjan Singh built this structure, which confirms that Rana Kumbha is the only historically correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maharana Pratap: He is famous for resisting Mughal emperor Akbar, especially at the Battle of Haldighati, but he did not build the Vijay Stambha.
Rana Sanga: He was a later ruler who fought Babur at the Battle of Khanwa; the tower already existed before his time.
Kunwar Durjan Singh: He was a lesser known figure and is not associated with commissioning any major victory tower at Chittorgarh.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that the most famous warrior of Mewar, Maharana Pratap, must be associated with every important monument. Another error is not paying attention to the time period in which each ruler lived. By memorizing that Rana Kumbha was the great builder king of Mewar, responsible for several forts and temples including the Vijay Stambha, you can avoid confusion in similar questions.

Final Answer:
The Vijay Stambha or Tower of Victory at Chittorgarh was built by Rana Kumbha.