7 Exotic Historical Places to Visit in Udaipur, Rajasthan

Udaipur’s identity goes beyond its well-known lakes. The city represents five centuries of architecture from the Mewar dynasty, where the architecture of its palaces was not designed for defense purposes, but rather to portray the art and administrative superiority. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, after abandoning Chittorgarh, Udaipur became a cultural hub that attracted craftsmen, artists, and architects from different parts of India.

The monuments of the city represent various eras in the history of Rajputs – from the fortified palaces of the 16th century to the European-influenced residences of the 19th century. What makes these sites valuable is that they have preserved the original elements of architecture,  decoration techniques and space layouts, which offer tangible links to the pre-colonial past of Rajasthan. This guide deals with seven historically significant locations that provide both architectural merit and insight into the cultural evolution of Mewar. Read ahead to know more:

City Palace: The Mewar Dynasty’s Living Archive

The City Palace complex dominates the eastern shore of Lake Pichola and it is a complex of 11 interconnected palaces that were constructed from 1559 to the early 1900s. Unlike single-period constructions, this sprawling complex is a kind of chronological record where each addition by a different ruler reflects contemporary architectural tastes and political situations.

Maharana Udai Singh II laid the foundation in 1559. His successors expanded in a systematic way creating courtyards, galleries and residential quarters which are today spread over an area of 2 hectares. The Mor Chowk has three peacock mosaics made of colored glass – each of which depicts three different seasons and represents how miniature painting traditions were translated into architectural decoration.

The Badi Mahal is at the highest point of the complex at 27 meters above the road level. This elevation offered strategic views while natural ventilation via cross drafts. The palace museum houses Mewar administrative records, weaponry collections and miniature paintings from the Mewar school which had developed its own stylistic characteristics under royal patronage.

The complex is open from 9.30 AM to the last entry at 5 PM. Early morning visits provide better lighting for photography and reduced numbers of people. There are audio guides but not live guides which would give greater historical context to particular rooms and artifacts.

Jag Mandir: The Island Palace with Mughal Connections

Jag Mandir is on a 4-acre island in the middle of Lake Pichola and is more than just a beautiful piece of architecture. The palace housed Prince Khurram, who later became Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, between 1623 and 1624, when he revolted against his father. This gesture of Mewar hospitality had an impact on further Mughal-Rajput diplomatic ties.

Construction went on over the course of three reigns. Maharana Amar Singh started it in 1620, Maharana Karan Singh resumed it during Khurram’s stay and Maharana Jagat Singh finished the main building in 1651. The Gul Mahal pavilion where Khurram lived has delicate stone inlay work using semi-precious stones; methods that he would later use in Mughal architecture.

The palace’s marble elephants protect the platform for landing by water. Each one was carved out of a single piece of wood and flown to the island using specially-built rafts, showing 17th-century engineering capabilities. The white marble construction, the palace is made from, taken from quarries at Rajsamand district, provides a continuity of visual imagery with the reflective surface of the lake.

Access is by boat from the jetty at Bansi Ghat close to the City Palace. Boats run from 10 AM to 6 PM, with the 15-minute ride allowing you to see the waterfront elevation of the City Palace and Aravalli hills.

Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace: Observatory Above the City

Perched at 944 meters on Bansdara Peak, Sajjangarh had the twin functions of monsoon observatory and summer retreat. Maharana Sajjan Singh commissioned construction in 1884 to track the sight of the oncoming monsoons – important information for agricultural plans in the rain-dependent Mewar. His death in the same year left the palace unfinished, but the structure seen here bears witness to late 19th-century European architectural influences on Rajput architecture.

The nine-dome symmetrical plan follows Victorian era tastes that became the currency among the princely states of India. White Marble construction allows heat reflection as the elevated location allows capturing the prevailing winds, providing natural ventilation better than valley-level palaces. On clear days, views cover 50 kilometers of the Aravalli Range.

The whole region around it was made a Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987 with 5.2 square kilometers of dry deciduous forest. The palace now has a small museum on the history of the conservation of Mewar. The site is located 9 kilometers away from the city center by winding mountain road or ropeway from the Deen Dayal Park. Gates close at night so late afternoon is the best time for photography.

Bagore Ki Haveli: Preserved Aristocratic Residence

Located at Gangaur Ghat at the waterfront of Lake Pichola, this 138 room haveli is an example of urban residential architecture preferred by the nobility of Mewar. Prime Minister Amar Chand Badwa created the complex between 1751 and 1778, and the spaces here were laid out with traditional principles in mind with separate quarters for males and females.

The value of the haveli lies in the fact that it preserves original decorative elements lost to modernization. Wall paintings, colored glass windows, and floor treatments are intact. The queen’s chamber has thikri work – coloured pieces of glass set in wet plaster – a specialty of Udaipur’s artisan communities.

The building now has a museum with Mewar cultural artifacts, including traditional costumes, musical instruments, and household objects. The miniature painting collection offers examples of the characteristic style of the Mewar school, with its brilliant coloring and structural backgrounds. The costume gallery has preserved traditional Rajasthani costumes that include the Mewar-style turban, whose tying style and size indicate the social status.

Evening cultural shows at 7 PM are representations of Rajasthani folk traditions, but are intended for tourists and not a true representation. The haveli deserves a visit during the day (10 AM to 6 PM) when the natural light highlights the courtyard architecture and decoration.

Saheliyon Ki Bari: Engineered Pleasure Garden

Commissioned by Maharana Sangram Singh in 1710 for the royal women’s household, this garden is an example of Mughal landscape design, adapted to the terrain of Udaipur. Historical records show wider courtly use outside of the zenana including celebrations and formal gatherings.

The engineering highlight of the garden is its fountain system, which runs all on gravity. Water is carried from Fateh Sagar Lake through underground channels and comes out from 48 fountains which are spread all over the grounds. During monsoon, when the lake levels are high, all fountains can be in full use – increasingly rare with contemporary water scarcity.

Four pools with marble pavilions have elephant sculptures at the corners. The marble for the Taj Mahal, taken from the quarries at Makrana, the same as used for the Taj Mahal, was transported 400 kilometers to Udaipur. The lotus pools had originally contained heritage varieties that were now extinct locally, although restoration efforts have seen the addition of historically appropriate species.

The Kala Patharon ka Mahal takes the contrasting black and white marble and uses geometric patterns and parchins which require precision stone cutting. Garden hours are 9 AM to 6 PM with small entry charges ([?]50 for foreign visitors).

Ahar Cenotaph: Royal Memorial Landscape

Located 2 kilometers east of the central part of Udaipur, this ground of cremation has more than 250 cenotaphs dedicated to Mewar rulers and families. The site has been used for ceremonies since the 14th century, making it one of the most historically significant memorial complexes in Rajasthan.

Cenotaph scale and decoration were varied according to status. Maharana memorials include elaborate carved domes over several pillars, accompanied by smaller memorials for nobles and members of families. The largest stands for Maharana Amar Singh (1597-1620), it is 12 meters high with 56 pillars supporting a carved marble dome.

The nearby Archaeological Museum displays the finds in the excavations in the vicinity, such as 4,000-year-old pottery dating back to the Ahar civilization – evidence for the continuity of settlement millennia before the foundation of Udaipur. Collections include medieval sculptures, weapons and agricultural implements that contextualize Mewar’s development of material culture.

The site is quieter in its exploration than the monuments on the lakefront. Morning visiting between October and March gives optimal conditions. Entry fees are still nominal ([?]10 for Indian nationals, [?]100 for foreign visitors).

Vintage Car Collection, Royal Automotive Heritage

Housed in the old Mewar State Motor Garage near Fateh Sagar Lake, the collection consists of 22 vintage automobiles belonging to the Maharanas of Udaipur. While not a traditional monument, the museum is a documentation of the role that princely states played in the global automotive culture from the 1920s onwards.

The centrepiece of the collection is a 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom that was used at Maharana Bhupal Singh’s wedding and has the original registration of the Mewar State and made-to-order modifications, such as raised suspension for the bumpy Rajasthan roads. A 1939 Cadillac convertible with custom coachwork is evidence of the technical capabilities of Mewar State workshops.

The museum has irregular hours and it is necessary to check before visiting. Its location of 3 km from the City Palace makes it accessible through an auto-rickshaw or a taxi.

Conclusion

These seven sites offer substantive starting points into the heritage of the architecture and culture of Udaipur. From the composite evolution of the City Palace to the engineering sophistication of Saheliyon Ki Bari, every monument tells certain things about the nature of political authority of the Mewar rulers, their receptiveness to external influences, and the continuity of their cultural identity through built form.

The city’s small geographic area facilitates the ease of coverage. Waterfront monuments are within walking distance, while the outer sites require vehicular transport. A carefully planned two-day visit means that you can do a good job exploring the site rather than making rushed photography stops. For organized exploration under the guidance of expert guides, Udaipur tour packages offer informed views about architectural importance and historical contexts. Independent visitors will find sufficient signage at major sites, although local guides can be hired, who will provide information not found on the pages.

Winter months (October through March) have the best visiting conditions with a temperature range between 10 °C and 25degC. Summer visits require early morning starts in order to avoid the afternoon heat reaching 42 °C. Individual sites have their own charges, which vary from [?]30 for gardens to [?]300 for palace complexes.

Udaipur’s monuments remain as depictions of craftsmanship traditions that were elaborated over five centuries and provide insights into more than the traditional tourist offerings of Rajasthan in its complex pre-colonial history.