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Kota is a
fascinating mixture of medieval grandeur and modern
industrialisation. An impressive fort stands like a sentinel over
the present day Chambal Valley Project with its many dams-Kota
Barrage, Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar and Jawahar Sagar. While
an old palace, dating back to the time when Kota was part of the
Hada Rajput fiefdom Harawati or Hadoti overlooks the Kota Barrage
on the turbulent Chambal river. The Hada chieftain, Rao Deva,
conquered the territory in the 14th centtury and founded Bundi and
Hadoti. Later, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, at
thebeginning of the 17th century, Rao Ratan Singh, the ruler of
Bundi, gave his son, Madho Singh, the smaller principality of
Kota.
In course of time Kota came to be regarded as a hallmark of Rajput
power and culture. Durbar Hall has mirror work, ebony and Ivory
inlaid doors, and contains a wealth of Rajput miniatures of the
Kota School. There are the royal cenotaphs, a haveli (stately
home) with delicate frescoes, the Brijraj Bhawan Palace and an
island palace-Jag Mandir-gracious remainders of a bygone age. |
