Kota has retained a certain lazy charm. Most industries here are selfcontained establishments and all that is visible is a gentle prosperity. There are not too many malls, restourents and multiplex and despite a contemporary atmosphere, Kota is inextrictural past. Though the town is not very big, you will need transport to get around.
City Palace and Fort Complex:
If you are coming from the north, your train will cross the Chambal, Rajsthan’s only perennial river and your first sight of Kota will appear to be a huddle of houses crammed on one bank. These are actually the bastions of Kota Fort, encircling the pristine City palace with its wealth of treasures. The fort’s construction was begun in 1264, after Koteya was slain. Each generation of rulers that came along built on, around and over what was already standing, resulting in a gargantuan monument. Along the fort’s inner battlements, public and private buldings, schools and homes have come up. But you’ll soon leave these behind as Naya Darwaza, built circa 1900, looms a head. The oldest gate, called Sailar commemorates the spot where Koteya’s head was buried in the fort’s foundations.
Among the parts open to the public are Hawa Mahal and Jalen Chowk, where parades and processions used to tbe held, the Nakkarkhanna Darwaza, where kettledrums played, and Hathila Pol where flanking stone elephants recreate a motif borrowed from the palace in Bundi. The apartments that can be visited include Kunwarbade ka Mahal, the wing where the heir apparent was traditionally in residence,Bada Mahal, the palace the place where the king resided, and Raj Mahal , the throne room. Private audiences were given at Bhim Mahal and parties at BARADARI. Elaborate work characterizes Sooraj Gokh, the Chattra Mahal, Zenana Mahal and Alsi Mahal. The richness of detail in the delicate fluted pillars, mirror inlays and murals that wit h the walls in colour is what makes kota’s city palace exceptional. Among the murals are court scenes and portraits,but look out for the famous huntung scenes that made the kota school of painting so well known.
The Rao Madho Singh Museum is another inlet into kota’s past thought the atmosphere is slightly more stilted and formal. You’ll see fine examples of kota painting, sculptures, photographs,arms and armour and other regal memorabilia. Guides can be hired but you will probably enjoy exploring on your own.
Just outside the City Palace are two of Kota’s better known temples – Neelkanth Mahadeo, dated to the 10th century. Bothhave outstanding carvings. The Government Museum is near the City Palace, with a collection of sculptures from the ruins of temple in the Hadoti Region, but is badly kept.
Lakes and Gardens
There’s the artificial Kishore Sager Lake, close to the City Palace, also known locally as Bada Talao, built as far back as 1346 by a Bundli prince. Centuries latter, in 1740, a striking palace, Jagmandir, was built in the center of the lake for a Mewar Princes who couldn’t bear Kota’s heat. On the rare day when the paddleboats are working here, you can ride up to get a closer look at the palace. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to go in.
On the banks of the same lake stand the Chhattar Bilas Gardens, said to have been beautiful once. The location is still enchanting though, flanked on one side by Sarbagh, where the royal cenotaphs stand, and Brij Bilas Palace on the other. This palace is now a somewhat lackluster government museum of manuscripts, weapons, paintings and photos.
Chambal Gardens, to south of the fort is along the banks of the Chambal and next to Amar Niwas, a former royal pleasure retreat. They are now Kota’s picnic grounds. You can relax here after visiting the resident of the alligator pool in the center of the garden.
Chambal River cruise: Boat rides birding tours and adventure sports activities are on the Chambal River now. Contact the tourist office for details.
The Pathan Interlude
For a brief two Pathan brothers Kesar Khan, seized Kota between 1531 and 1551. After a savage battle, Bundi’s Rao Surjan won it back but the tombs of the Pathan usurpers still stands in the old city, next to the bustling Sabzi Mandi. And just to round off Kota’s history, which like all its neighbouring kingdoms owed allegiance to the British, there is a cemetery where there are memorials to Raj officers killed during the 1857 War of Independence.
Other Attractions: Claimed to be dedicated to Raja Shivgana Maurya is the 8th century Karneshwar Mahadeo Temple, located about 10 kms from Kota. Some 6 km further is Umed Ganj a lakeside pleasure pavilion built at the end of the road is Dadh Devi, a complex of intresting temples. Karni Mata’s shrine at Abhera, 6 km westof Kota is a popular shrine.
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