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Kota Travel Guide
Kota
An
amazing, juxtaposition of majestic medieval age and modern industrialization,
mainly the Hydro Electric Plant on the Chambal River and the Nuclear Power Plant
has a few traces of its past still left. The fort overlooking the river Chambal
is the foremost tourist attraction. It also houses the museum with a rich collection
of art and artefacts and some elaborately painted chambers. Earlier it was a
part of Bundi state, but later it grew to be a bigger state. What retains the
past glory are the untouched wealth of impressive forts, opulent palaces and
temples dating back over several centuries.
These temples were conquered by the Hada chieftain Rao Deva. It was at the time
of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir that Rao Ratan Singh gifted this territory to
his son Madho Singh. The Kota state reflects in the form of a beautiful collection
of Stone Idols (murties) in the Raj Mahal, embellished with gold stained glass
work on the walls, the silver mirror work on ceilings and the marvelous wall
paintings.
The south eastern region of Rajasthan known as Hadoti comprises of Bundi, Baran,
Jahalwar and Kota is treasure of history dating back to several centuries. Prehistoric
caves, paintings, formidable forts and the mighty chambal river hurtling from
the Vindhyas are dotted in the region.
When Jait Singh of Bundi defeated the Bhil chieftain Koteya in a battle, he
raised the first battlement or the 'Garh'(Fort) over his severed head.
The independent State of Kota became a reality in 1631 when Rao Madho Singh,
the second son of Rao Ratan of Bundi was made the ruler, by Mughal Emperor Shah
Jahan. Soon Kota outgrew its parent state to become bigger in area, richer in
revenure and more powerful. Maharao Bhim Singh played a pivotal role Kota's
history, having held a 'Mansab' of five thousand and being the first in his
dynasty to have the title of Maharao.
Kota is situated on the banks of chambal river and is fastly emerging as an
important industrial centre. It boasts of Asia's largest fertilizer plant, precision
instrument unit and atomic power station nearby.
