"Kota" A visitor is delighted to see the twin facets of this city. On the one hand, along the eastern bank of the Chambal River, the city remains untouched and on the other, a bustling industrial centre. The co-existence of high forts, opulent palaces and splendid temples which date back over several centuries and that of the present day edifices and heavy industries makes Kota a bridge between the past and the present.
It was in the 12th century A.D. , that the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Then in the early 17th century A.D., during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi, Rao Ratan Singh, bestowed the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. One can observe the blend of the old and the new when one stands in the pioneering fort overlooking the modern Chambal Valley Project with its many dams – the Kota Barrage, Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar and the Jawahar Sagar.
Hadoti, is an old ornate palace dating back to the time when Kota was under the control of the Hada Chieftaincy. It stands as the marvel of the eastern glory with its Durbar Hall beautiful mirrored and with the doors of ebony and ivory.
The other important places to see include the Brij Raj Bhawan Palace, the Jag Mandir – an island palace and many others. |
