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Udaipur a city in India, the Venice of the East

Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India ★★★★☆ 1,091 views
Jonatan Banks
Udaipur
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About Udaipur a city in India, the Venice of the East

Udaipur a city in India, the Venice of the East - Udaipur | Secret World Trip Planner

Udaipur is a city in North India, capital of the district and division of the same name, in the federal state of Rajasthan. According to the number of inhabitants the city belongs to the class I (from 100,000 people upwards and Udaipur counts about 400,000). In addition to its history, culture and its splendid panoramic position, it is also famous for its wonderful palaces of the Rajput era, some of which have been transformed into luxury hotels. Udaipur, better known as the Venice of the East, the city of lakes (Lake City) and the white city (for the color of many of its buildings). It is considered the most romantic city in all of India! The most famous building in Udaipur is the Lake Palace, the former summer residence of the Indian emperors. The origins of Udaipur are quite recent, compared to other cities in Rajasthan. Udaipur India was founded in 1553, by Maharana Udai Singh II (from which it took its name), in the fertile circular valley Girwa, south-west of Nagda, on the Banas River and near six lakes. The city was established to be the new capital of the kingdom of Mewar, after the previous capital, Chittorgarh, had been conquered and conquered by the troops of Emperor Akbar (1542 - 1605). Maharana Udai Singh II did not choose the area of Ayad to build the main palace of the new capital, because at that time Ayad was an area subject to flooding; the choice for the construction of the main palace, now known as City Palace, fell on the eastern area of Lake Pichola. The City Palace is still one of the major attractions of the city today. For the safety of the new capital, the king ordered the construction of a 6 km long wall interspersed with 6 imposing gates (Brahmpole, Ambapole, Hathipole, Udiapole, Chandpole, Surajpole). The area inside the walls is now commonly called "Old Town". The choice proved to be right even later, in fact Udaipur did not arouse great interest in the English colonists, because it was located in a mountainous region that made it difficult for their army to transport heavy armoured horses and weapons. Rana Udai Singh was an exponent of the Sisodia dynasty that had ruled since the 7th century the state of Mewar, in today's Rajasthan. His descendants reigned over Udaipur with the title of Maharana until 1947, the year of India's proclamation of independence. Although today the city is under the democratic government of India, the title of 76th guardian of the kingdom of Mewar is held by Shri Arvind Singh Ji Mewar, considered king of Udaipur (though only nominally).

Udaipur a city in India, the Venice of the East - Udaipur | Secret World Trip Planner
Udaipur a city in India, the Venice of the East - Udaipur | Secret World Trip Planner
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Frequently Asked Questions

Udaipur earned this nickname because it is a city built around lakes, most notably Lake Pichola, which gives it a romantic waterfront character similar to Venice. The city's picturesque palaces and buildings reflected in the water create a stunning landscape that makes it one of India's most romantic destinations.
Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of the Mewar kingdom after the previous capital, Chittorgarh, was conquered by Emperor Akbar's troops. The city was strategically established in a fertile circular valley near six lakes and the Banas River for protection and prosperity.
The Lake Palace is Udaipur's most famous building, which was the former summer residence of Indian emperors and is now a luxury hotel. The stunning white marble palace situated on an island in Lake Pichola is an iconic symbol of the city's royal heritage and architectural brilliance.
The City Palace is the main palace of Udaipur's new capital, built on the eastern area of Lake Pichola by Maharana Udai Singh II. He chose this location instead of Ayad because Ayad was prone to flooding, and the City Palace remains one of the city's major attractions today.
Maharana Udai Singh II ordered the construction of a 6 km long defensive wall with 6 imposing gates (Brahmpole, Ambapole, Hathipole, Udiapole, Chandpole, and Surajpole) to protect the newly established capital. This walled area is now known as the 'Old Town' and its strategic design protected Udaipur so effectively that it attracted little interest from English colonists.