An amazing, juxtaposition of majestic medieval age and modern industrialization, mainly the Hydro Electric Plant on the Chambal River  and the Nuclear Power Plant has a few traces of its past still left. The fort overlooking the river Chambal is the foremost tourist attraction. It also houses the museum with a rich collection of art and artefacts and some elaborately painted chambers.
 
Earlier it was a part of Bundi state, but later it grew to be a bigger state. What retains the past glory are the untouched wealth of impressive forts, opulent palaces and temples dating back over several centuries. These temples were conquered by the Hada chieftain Rao Deva. It was at the time of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir that Rao Ratan Singh gifted this territory to his son Madho Singh. The Kota state reflects in the form of a beautiful collection of  Stone Idols (murties) in the Raj Mahal, embellished with gold stained glass work on the walls, the silver mirror work on ceilings and the marvelous wall paintings.

The Akh-Ade-ka-Mahal displays the regalia and paraphermedia of the state. Besides there is, Badal Mahal (the private living quarter) with the Kota Miniature show casing into beauty. The paintings of various schools of periods set in glass on the walls, the ladies interactions echo in the Zanana Mahal worth a look.

Other edifices of the by gone era are depicted in Brij Raj Bhawan Palace, the Jag Mandir an  Island Palace and a splendid haveli (mansion) with beautiful frescos and royal cenotaphs. Kota today is well known for its dams and famous Kota Saris, woven in the nearby village Kaithoon, these are made of cotton silk in an assortment of colours, and delicate golden thread. Miniature paintings of the hunting scenes, portrays the forest, while attracted many of the royals and aristocrats who passionately indulged in this wild sport, announcing Kota as the Magic along the Chambal river.

The princely state of the  Jhalas  created in 1838 AD, after being separated from Kota by the British. It is best explored by foot within the city and a horse safari in the outskirts as Jhalawar boasts of rich natural wealth, with flora and fauna  as active.
 
Since it is situated at the edge of the  Malwa Plateau it has rocky but water laden verdant landscape unlike much of Rajasthan, with some exquisite pre-historic cave paintings, massive forts, thick woody forests, exotic wild life variety and a lush country side which has Red poppy fields, orange laden orchards making it look fascinating and colourful during winters

JHALAWAR
The  Bhawani Mandi contributes the major share of the fort,it houses some exquisite paintings on walls and mirror. The museum has a collection of rare manuscripts and sculptures and Bhawani Natya Shala is one of the rare theatre in the area built in the 1920s.

The major outskirts attractions are the  Jhalrapatan (city of temples),with a huge 10th century Surya temple,  adorned by one of the best preserved idol of Surya. The  Sheetaleshura temple is a fine example of Gupta architecture. A little away is the Chandrabhaga temple with gardens and a 'Bawari' (step well). All in all it is basically an attraction for the tourist of an individual interest.

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Special thanks to Karoki Lewis, Aditya Singh and Outlook for use of their photographs.
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