Kirti Stambh

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Kirti Stambh, one of the most popular landmarks of Vadodara, is located near the Polo Ground. It was built in 1935 to commemorate 60 years rule of Maharaja Sayajirao Geakwad III. The Stambh is made out of pink ‘Songadh stone’. It stands tall opposite to the Nehru Bhavan with a lion perched at its top and facing eastwards. Kirti Stambh is also known as the ‘Tower of Fame/ Triumph’.

Kirti Stambh carries a philosophical value as it depicts Sayajirao’s firm decision of renouncing the material, worldly life and thus, moving to ‘Vanprasthashram’ – the third out of the four ashram (stages) of human life where one hands over the worldly responsibilities to his/her next generation and takes an advisory role, thereby withdrawing from the materiality of the world.

The lion perched at the top of Kirti Stambh has his rear part/portion facing the Lukshmi Vilas Palace Gate. This lion, with its rear part facing the Palace gate, marks the Maharaja’s departure from his Kingdom and Luxurious Life. Also, according to the Hindu philosophy, travelling towards east is considered to be a way of achieving ‘Salvation’ or ‘Moksha’ which is again indicated by the eastward facing lion of the Kirti Stambh.

If one examines closely, the countenance of the lion appears a bit old/aged and fatigued and it is about to get up and walk. The Maharaja wanted to portray himself through this ageing lion. There is deep philosophy behind the structure made by prominent artist Krishnarao Chavan and his associates. In the erstwhile Baroda State, all the buildings and structure made by Maharaja Sayajirao III , carried some philosophical meanings blended artistically by the then master craftsmen of the Baroda State.

Here is text translated to Gujarati, written at bottom of Kirti Stambh in Sanskrit:

સદાચાર ,સદ્ભાવ વગેરે અનેક ગુણો સહિત લાંબા સમય સુધીના પોતાના દીર્ઘશાસનકાળમાં પ્રજા ને યોગ્ય રાહ ચીંધી ઉજ્જવલ કીર્તિ પ્રાપ્ત કરનાર પોતાના દાદા શ્રીમંત મહારાજા સયાજીરાવ ત્રીજાના વિક્રમ સંવત 1992 ના વર્ષમાં સમસ્ત પ્રજાએ જેને અભિનંદન આપેલ છે એવા હીરક મહોત્સવના ચિરસ્મરણ માટે અશોકસ્તંભની પ્રતિકૃતિ સમાન આ કીર્તિસ્તંભ શ્રીમંત મહારાજા પ્રતાપસિંહરાવ એ પોતાની રાજધાની વટપદ્ર નગર (હાલ નું વડોદરા) માં વિક્રમ સંવત 1998ના વર્ષે પોતાના શાસનકાળના ચોથા વર્ષે સ્થાપન કરેલ છે

શુભમ ભવતુ

Thanks to Kanubhai Purohit, Hetal Shah & Krishna Darji for helping us in translating.

Sardar Chowk:A plaque of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s speech from October 1938, near Kirti Stambh is also placed. It was dedicated to leader who addressed a large number of people. Sardar Patel were not allowed to address crowd at Polo Ground, so he delivered speech near Kirti Stambh, where the plaque is installed now.

In late 1930’s Sardar Patel headed ‘Baroda State Praja Mandal’ which helped state in consolidating itself with independent India. In 1939 Sardar Patel was subjected to physical assault at Vadodara, Bhavnagar & Rajkot ! (via)

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The Kirti Stambh, as we see it today, is one of the busiest areas in the city as a bus depot is located within a range of 100 metres. It stands tall amidst the fast-developing concrete structures/buildings around it.

Partial Source: TOI
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