Kota Fort, Rajasthan
About Kota City
Kota, situated on the eastern bank of the Chambal at a distance of 120 miles from Ajmer stands enclosed by a massive wall on the southern extremity of which the fort lies on a moderate eminence. The city of Kota is surrounded by huge rampart wall of unusual height, sixty to seventy feet on three sides. Chambal, the boon of Rajasthan which flows western side forms a natural unsurpassable moat to the fort as well as to the city.
Geography and Architecture of Kota Fort
The fort is situated on the southern extremity of the rampart walls on the land of moderate eminence, was built by Madhosingh in 1631 A.D. These massive and vast embattled wall of Kota Fort stands pierced with six gates among which Surajpol , Kishorpur, Palanpol, Kaithunipol are very imposing.
The main gate in the castle is built in the usual style and flanked by projecting balconies. The bastions to the southern side are massive, huge and vast while those erected to the north are marked by their rather slender form and upward height. These were erected in this particular way to afford special protection againest the enemy attack .
A circle of these bastions is formed here and it gives this portion the shape of a fort within fort.The space between the series of towers stands duly protected by the embattled wall crowning the palaces. Some towers connected with the ramparts are also thrown along the way of the fort.
Attractions of Kota Fort
The Kota Fort is known for its Durbar Hall which has beautiful paintings and mirror work and has doors of ebony and ivory. There are exquisite miniature paintings housed within the Durbar Hall. The Maharajas of Kota later abandoned the fort and build various palaces.
The palaces of kota situated within the four walls of the Castle stands as an admirable mixture of Indo-Muslim style of architecture. The small turrents, cupolas and minarets, slightly projecting eaves, balconies, canopy like roofs of the palaces, all put together present a charming picture over looking the purple water of the fast flowing turbulent Chambal below.
