Friday, December 19, 2008

Kota Travel Guide

The history of the city dates back to the 12th century A.D. when the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the early 17th century AD during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi -Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture.

The south eastern region of Rajasthan known as Hadoti comprises of Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar and Kota is a treasure of history dating back to several centuries. Prehistoriccaves,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 severead head. The Independant 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 the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Soon Kota outgrew its parent state to become bigger in area, richer in revenue and more powerful. Maharao Bhim Singh played a pivotal role in 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. Surprisingly unexplored, the Kota region of Rajasthan has some splendid treasures for the tourist to take home memories of. Its impregnable fortresses, sprawling palaces, exquisitely wrought palaces and lovely waterways act as a magnificient foil to its exotic wildlife and delicate fresco Paintings. .

Situtated on the banks of the Chambal River,at an important juncture of the trade route between Delhi and Gujrat, Kota is Rjasthan's Fifth Largest City. This Bustling,sprawling city is also called the industrial capital of the state. The tentacles of the modern world have the city in its grip with the Chambal Valley Project giving it a major position on the state's industrial map. Chemicals,fertilizers, synthetic fibres, tyrecord and sophisticated instruments, industry's mainstay, have helped in pushing this ancient city into the forefront of modernisation. Yet memories of its ancient links linger strongly. Present Day Kota owes its foundations to a Kotya Bhil warrior who 800 years ago built a small fortification at akelgarh and put up a protective mud-wall around it all the way to Retwali. In 1580, Rao Madho Singh strenghtened both the fortification and the wall. In time to come, Kota acquired the Hallmark of rajput power as well as culture.

Museum In Kota : Maharao Madho Singh Museum, Kota Excursions

Shopping In Kota Although Kota is a small place, shopping in Kota can be a pleasant experience for the discerning shopper. The area has a quite rich tradition of art and craft.

Tourist Attractions Of Kota
The tourist attractions of Kota include a number of monuments including museums, temples, lake, garden, etc.

How To Reach Kota
Although lying off the beaten track, Kota is an interesting destination in Rajasthan. With its impressive forts, opulent palaces and splendid temples Kota reminds you of its past glory. The limpid flowing river Chambal lends the place a rare beauty.

With airport, railway stations and a good road network around, it is quite easy to reach Kota. Travel.mapsofindia brings you complete information on how to reach Kota:

How to Reach Kota by Air: Kota has an airport of its own. The domestic airport is connected to Jaipur, which is in turn linked to major cities like, Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur etc.

How to Reach Kota by Road: Kota has a good network of roads, which connect the place to important cities in Rajasthan and outside the state like, Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bundi.

How to Reach Kota by Rail: The place has a railway station too. It falls o the Delhi - Mumbai rail route. A number of prestigious trains link Kota to various other railway stations in all other the country.

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