Udaipur : Udaipur city, which was the capital of Mewar region of Rajasthan and Sisodia rulers, is surrounded by the Aravalli ranges and is one of the most beautiful cities of Rajasthan. The mountain ranges spread around Udaipur have protected the city from external attacks for centuries. The Aravalli mountain range also makes this city naturally rich and beautiful.
Udaipur is a very famous tourist destination all over the world and due to the artificial and natural lakes and ponds present around this city, this city is also known as the City of Lakes. But Udaipur is not famous only because of the lakes and natural environment located here.
This city is also very famous because of the sacrifices made by the rulers of Sisodia Rajput dynasty and the people of Bhil, Meena, Patel and Rajput castes living here for centuries for the protection of Mewar. All the rulers of the city of Udaipur, established in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II, spent most of their time fighting to protect Mewar from the Mughal invaders.
Among all the rulers of Udaipur, the name of Maharana Pratap is taken as the most prominent. Most of the palaces and buildings of Udaipur took many years to be constructed but the construction work was never completed in one go by any ruler. During the Mughal period, due to the kings of Udaipur being busy in war most of the time, the construction work could never go on simultaneously in Udaipur, as the rulers came to Udaipur, the construction work continued.
City Palace of Udaipur, the foundation of whose construction was laid by Maharana Udai Singh II himself, but the construction work of the City Palace took almost 400 years to complete. But today the City Palace is one of the largest palaces in India and Rajasthan and also one of the most visited palaces by tourists. So today let us provide you complete information about the most important tourist place of Udaipur, City Palace.
History of City Palace Udaipur
The City Palace located in Udaipur is one of the largest palaces of Rajasthan, the construction work of this palace is much more than how big it is. The size of the City Palace can be estimated from the fact that the length of this palace is 244 meters and the width is around 30 meters.
In 1559, Maharana Udai Singh II laid the foundation stone for the construction of the City Palace. During the time of Maharana Udai Singh, City Palace was known as “Rai Aangan”. To understand the construction of City Palace and the history of Udaipur, we have to know the history of Nagda, a small town 30 kilometers away from Udaipur.
Before the establishment of Mewar by Bappa Rawal, around the sixth century, Nagda was ruled by the rulers of Guhil dynasty. After some time, Bappa Rawal also declared Nagda as the first capital of Mewar.
After a long gap of about 800 years, Maharana Udai Singh II, troubled by the continuous invasions of the Mughals, established Udaipur in this naturally protected area, surrounded by the Aravalli mountain range, on the banks of the Ayad River near Nagda. According to some historians, before the construction of the City Palace, Maharana Udai Singh built Motimahal on a high peak near this place in 1553.
A few years after the construction of Motimahal, he started the construction of the City Palace in 1559. After Maharana Udai Singh, the power of Mewar came to his son Maharana Pratap. Most of the time of Maharana Pratap’s life was spent in liberating Mewar from the hands of Mughals.
Before his death, Maharana Pratap had regained control over most of the land of Mewar. After Maharana Udai Singh II, all the kings of Sisodiya dynasty who came to Udaipur continued the construction work in the City Palace in their own ways. Due to the ongoing construction work from time to time, today there are a total of 11 small and big palaces built in the City Palace.
Generations of kings of the Sisodia dynasty kept coming and going and the construction work of the City Palace also continued. Thus, it took 400 years to complete the construction of the City Palace with the cooperation of 22 generations of the Sisodiya Rajput dynasty.
Architecture of City Palace Udaipur
The City Palace of Udaipur, built in Hindu and Rajput architectural style, is one of the most beautiful palaces in India. Due to the construction work of the City Palace taking a very long time of about 400 years, architecture from different times can be seen in this palace. Marble and granite have been mainly used in the construction of the City Palace. Glass pieces have been used very beautifully in the chambers built inside the palace.
Apart from this, very beautiful murals have been carved on the walls to beautify the interiors of the palace. Silver has also been used to make many places in the palace look beautiful. At that time, many balconies were built outside the palace to watch the programs organized in the City Palace.
Even today, very panoramic views of Udaipur city are visible from these balconies. For security reasons and to avoid enemy attacks, many mazes have been built in the corridors of the palace. Due to a very long construction work, the City Palace consists of a total of 11 small and big palaces.
At present some parts of the City Palace are open for tourists and some parts have been converted into hotels. Maharana Arvind Singh ji of Sisodia royal family of Mewar and his family still reside in the City Palace.
Complete Travel Guide to City Palace Udaipur
Entrance gate of City Palace Udaipur
Presently all tourists enter the premises of the City Palace through the Badi Pol. After entering from Badi Pol, tourists come across Tripolia Gate, the first entrance to the City Palace. There are seven chhatris built over the Tripolia Gate. The first place that comes when you walk ahead of Tripolia Gate, at that place the kings were weighed and their gold and silver was distributed among the common people of Mewar.
The battle between elephants was conducted in front of Tripolia Gate. The place from where the king watched the battle of elephants was called Agad. After walking a little further you come to a Toran pole, there is a very beautiful marble arch built around the pole.
Amar Vilas City Palace Udaipur
Amar Vilas located in the City Palace was built by Maharana Amar Singh in 1699. There is a very beautiful garden built in Amar Vilas City Palace. To make this garden beautiful, apart from trees and plants, statues and fountains made of marble were installed in it. Amar Vilas, located in the middle of square buildings, was used by the king and his family to spend their leisure time.
Badi Mahal City Palace Udaipur
Maharana Amar Singh had built a big palace along with Amar Vilas in 1699. Badi Mahal is a very beautiful palace made of 104 carved marble pillars. The way the marble stone tiles have been installed by local artisans on the walls and ceiling of the big palace is instantly capable of attracting the attention of the tourists.
Ever since the construction of Badi Mahal, it was used to celebrate big annual festivals like Holi, Diwali, Dussehra. Apart from this, festivals related to the royal family were also organized in the Badi Mahal. Badi Mahal is built on top of the City Palace.
Despite being situated at a height in the City Palace, Badi Mahal has a lot of shady plants and due to this, Badi Mahal is currently also known as Garden Palace. The most spectacular and beautiful views of Lake Pichola are visible from Badi Mahal only.
Fateh Prakash Palace City Palace Udaipur
Fateh Prakash Palace is the newest building constructed in the City Palace. Fateh Prakash Palace was built by Maharana Fateh Prakash in the early 20th century. Fateh Prakash Palace has currently been converted into a five-star hotel and the ownership rights over this hotel still remain with the royal family.
And this hotel is operated by Taj Group of Hotels. Many grand programs and big weddings of India and abroad are organized in this hotel. Very beautiful views of Lake Pichola are visible from Fateh Prakash Hotel, watching the sunset from Fateh Prakash Hotel in the evening provides a different experience.
Many priceless objects like sofas, chairs, carpets, crystals, weapons, artefacts and paintings inside Fateh Prakash Hotel were brought during the reign of Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1877.
Durbar Hall City Palace Udaipur
The Durbar Hall was also built in the early 20th century along with the Fateh Prakash Palace. In 1909, Lord Minto, the then Viceroy of India, laid the foundation stone to begin the construction of the Durbar Hall. Initially the Durbar Hall was called Minto Hall. In the Durbar Hall, there are very magnificent huge paintings of almost all the kings of Mewar, apart from all this, weapons associated with Maharana Pratap and Chetak have also been displayed.
Durbar Hall was used for special meetings and royal functions at that time. The chandelier installed in this hall is considered to be one of the largest chandeliers installed in any palace in India. The Crystal Gallery located in the Durbar Hall is one of the largest crystal galleries in the world. The hall offers a panoramic view of Jagmandir Palace, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh Palace situated in Pichola Lake. Presently the Darbar Hall hosts musical evenings, wedding ceremonies, dinners and world-class conferences.
Bhim Vilas City Palace Udaipur
Bhim Vilas located in City Palace can be called a very beautiful art gallery. In Bhim Vilas, very beautiful murals of Lord Shri Krishna and Radha ji are carved on the walls. Bhim Vilas painters have made some doors in such a way that a tourist cannot differentiate between real and fake doors without going close to them.
Chini Chitrashala City Palace Udaipur
Chini Chitrashala is also a beautiful art gallery. This Chitrashala has been furnished in a very organized manner using Dutch and Chinese tiles.
Chhoti Chitrashala City Palace Udaipur
The beautiful figures of peacocks made in the small gallery attract the attention of the tourists. Apart from this, a huge collection of paintings made in the 19th century and before can be seen in this gallery.
Krishna Vilas City Palace Udaipur
In Krishna Vilas, a collection of paintings related to the royal family is available for tourists to see. In these paintings, a detailed description of the lifestyle, lifestyle, sports and festivals celebrated by them etc. of the people of the royal family can be seen through the paintings.
Manak Mahal City Palace Udaipur
Manak Mahal was used as a meeting room for the kings. The king also used this room for private discussions with ministers and to meet official guests. In Manak Mahal, symbols related to the royal family and some inscriptions are also installed on the walls. It is believed that the king used to pray to his presiding deity in this room before taking food. There is a reception room in Manak Mahal. There is also a statue of Lord Surya installed inside the palace.
Mor Chowk City Palace Udaipur
Three magnificent peacocks have been created using 5000 glass pieces on the wall of Peacock Chowk inside the City Palace. Because of these three glass peacocks built in the palace, this part of the palace is known as Peacock Chowk.
It is believed that these three peacocks made of glass represent the three major seasons, winter, summer and rain. There is also a balcony on the upper part of Mor Chowk. This balcony was once used as a small inner court.
Rang Bhawan City Palace Udaipur
Rang Bhawan was once used as the treasury of the royal family of Mewar. At present, there are temples of Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and Meera Bai inside Rang Bhawan.
Sheesh Mahal City Palace Udaipur
Maharana Pratap built the City Palace Sheeshmahal in the beginning of the 17th century to please his queen Ajabde Panwar. Sheesh Mahal situated in the City Palace is also known as Darpan Mahal.
City Palace MuseumUdaipur
Located in the nearly 400-year-old City Palace, the City Palace Museum was established by Maharana Bhagwat Singh in 1969. This museum is housed in the two major buildings of the City Palace, Zanana Mahal and Mardana Mahal. Many items related to the kings of Mewar and Sisodia Rajput dynasty have been put on exhibition for the tourists in the City Palace Museum.
Since its inception, Udaipur’s City Palace Museum has created a distinct identity for itself across the world. Many museum organizations around the world have honored the City Palace Museum with many awards for its vast historical collection and the museum’s maintenance of its historical heritage. Tourists visiting Udaipur must leave enough time for the museum located in the City Palace.
Zanana Mahal, City Palace Udaipur
The Zenana Mahal, located inside the City Palace, was built in the 16th century. The zenana palace was used by the women of the royal family and apart from this, marriages in the royal family were also held in this zenana palace. Weddings of many famous personalities of the world have been held in Zanana Mahal. Zanana Mahal has the capacity to host approximately 500 guests for any function held.
