Kota: It is a fascinating mixture of medieval grandeur and modern industrialization. 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 of Hadoti-overlooks the Kota Barrage on the turbulent Chambal river.

The Hada chieftain, Rao Deva conquered the territory in the 14th century and founded Bundi and Hadoti, Later, during the reign of Mugal Emperor Jahangir, at the beginning 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 had 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 raj Bhawan Palace and an island palace- the Jag Mandir – gracious remainders of a bygone age.

However, modern Kota is all hustle and bustle as befits a town which boasts of Asia’s largest fertilizer plant, a precision instrument unit, and an Atomic Power Station for power generation and nuclear research among other things.

Major Attractions :

Maharao Madho Singh Museum : Situated in the old palaces, it houses a rich collection of Rajput miniature paintings of the Kota school, exquisite sculptures, frescoes, arms and other valuable  antiques. The museum is a veritable treasure house of artistic items used by the rulers of Kota.

Kota Barrage : This is a part of the irrigation canal system on Chambal river. The setting is beautiful ideal for a stroll.