Udaipur
Udaipur (City of Lakes) | |
|---|---|
City | |
.jpg) | |
| Nickname(s): "City of Lakes" | |
| Coordinates: 24°35′N 73°41′E / 24.58°N 73.68°ECoordinates: 24°35′N 73°41′E / 24.58°N 73.68°E | |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District | Udaipur |
| Founded by | Rana Udai Singh II |
| Government | |
| • Body | Udaipur Municipal Corporation |
| Area | |
| • City | 64 km2 (25 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 423 m (1,388 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • City | 451,100 |
| • Metro | 474,531 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| • Regional | Mewari |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 313001- 313024 |
| Telephone code | +91- 294 |
| Vehicle registration | RJ-27 |
| Nearest cities | Jodhpur, Chittorgarh, Kota, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, Indore, Dungarpur, Banswara |
| Climate | BSh |
| Website | udaipur |
Udaipur is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan and is also known as City of Lakes.[1] Historically, it was the capital of the kingdom of Mewar, which was located inside the ancient Rajputana Agency.[2] Founded in 1559 by Rajput ruler Udai Singh II, who relocated his headquarters from Chittorgarh to Udaipur when Chittorgarh was besieged by Akbar. In 1818, it was elevated to the status of a British princely state, and in 1947, the Mewar province was annexed to the state of Rajasthan, which became the country's first independent state.[3]
The city is situated in the southernmost portion of Rajasthan, near the border with Gujarat. It is the state capital. Aravali Range, which divides it from the Thar Desert, surrounds it and isolates it from the rest of India. It is around 660 kilometres from Delhi, nearly 800 kilometres from Mumbai, and approximately 1720 kilometres from Bangalore. It is situated practically exactly in the midst of two major Indian metropolises. In addition, Udaipur's proximity to the ports of Gujarat gives the city a key geographical edge. Through the use of road, rail, and air transportation, Udaipur is well-connected to the cities and states in the surrounding area. The Maharana Pratap International Airport serves the city. Hindi, English, and Rajasthani are some of the most often spoken languages (Mewari).
By British administrator James Tod, Udaipur was dubbed "the most charming point on the continent of India."[4] The city is a popular tourist destination, and it is noted for its rich history, culture, gorgeous settings, and palaces from the Rajput period. Because of its complex lake system, it is sometimes referred to as the "City of Lakes" by residents. It is surrounded by seven lakes, which are all navigable. In India's National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP), five of the country's most important lakes have been identified for restoration as part of the project. These lakes are: Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Rangsagar Lake, and Doodh Talai Lake, all of which are located in the state of Rajasthan. Aside from its lakes, Udaipur is also recognised for its mediaeval forts and palaces, museums, galleries, natural areas and gardens, architectural temples, as well as traditional fairs, festivals, and buildings, to name a few attractions. It is sometimes referred to as the "Venice of the Orient." Tourists are the primary driver of the economy of Udaipur; nevertheless, mining, marble processing, chemical production and research, electronic manufacturing, and the handicraft sector also contribute to the city's overall prosperity. It is home to several state and regional government offices, such as the Director of Mines and Geology office, the Commissioner of Excise and Customs, and the Commissioner of Tribal Area Development. It is also home to Hindustan Zinc Limited, as well as the Rajasthan State Mines and Mineral Corporation Limited, among others. Apart from that, Udaipur is becoming as a major educational centre, with five universities, fourteen colleges, and more than 160 high schools. According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) provided by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Udaipur is home to IIM Udaipur, the country's fifth finest management institution.
History
Founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II in the lush circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, on the Banas River, Udaipur is one of India's most important cities. The city was chosen to be the new capital of the Mewar kingdom, and it remains so today. During the 10th through 12th centuries, this region was already home to a bustling commercial centre known as Ayad, which had served as the capital of the Mewar kingdom. Because of this, the Girwa area was already well known to Chittaud monarchs, who relocated there whenever the tableland of Chittaurgarh was threatened by enemy invasions. While in exile in Kumbhalgarh, Rana Udai Singh II made the decision to relocate his capital to a more secure site, after the introduction of artillery warfare in the sixteenth century. Because Ayad was concerned about flooding, he picked the ridge east of Pichola Lake as the location for his new capital city. While hunting in the foothills of the Aravalli Range, he met into a hermit who became his ally. Assuring the king that his palace would be properly protected, the hermit blessed him and directed him in the construction of a palace on the site. As a result, Udai Singh II purchased the land and built a home on it. Chittor was captured and conquered by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in November 1567. For the purpose of protecting Udaipur from foreign incursions, Rana Udai Singh constructed a six-kilometer-long city wall with seven gates, which were known as Surajpole, Chandpole, Udiapole, Hathipole, Ambapole, Brahmpole, Delhi Gate, and Kishanpole. The region enclosed by these fortifications and gates is today referred to as the ancient city or the walled city.
Akbar himself came at Udaipur in September 1576 and stayed for six months until May 1577, when he returned to Delhi. Rana Amar Singh ultimately agreed to accept Mughal vassal status in 1615, and Udaipur remained the state's capital until the kingdom was elevated to the status of a princely state of British India in 1818. Because Udaipur is located in a hilly terrain and is not appropriate for highly armoured Mughal horsemen, it has stayed free of Mughal control despite intense efforts. As of right now, Maharana Mahendra Singh Mewar is the 76th guardian of the Mewar dynasty on the Indian subcontinent.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, the total population of Udaipur city was 451,100. Including suburbs outside the city limits the population was 474,531. As per the data, the male population of the city was 233,959 and the female population was 217,141 in 2011. The total population for the age group of 0–6 years old was 47,932. The sex-ratio of the city was 928. The child sex-ratio (0–6 years of age) was 866.
As per the estimated 2019 population data, the total population of Udaipur is 662,992. In recent years, the population growth of Udaipur has increased amazingly due to its weather, relaxing environment and wonderful places to visit nearby.
Udaipur has an average effective literacy rate of 90.43 percent, as compared to the national average of 74.04 percent: male literacy rate being 95.41 percent while the female literacy rate being 85.08 percent.
Hindi and Mewari are the major languages spoken in Udaipur. Marwari, Wagdi, Urdu and Gujarati are some others which are in use in the city.
Hinduism is the major religion followed in the city. 2nd most is Muslims with approx 16% of the total population. With a large Jain community, Jainism is amongst the other main religions practised. Jains makes about 10% of the population, as compared to the national average of 0.37%.
References
- ↑ "Udaipur travelogue: What to do, where to eat and when to visit the city of lakes". Hindustan Times. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ↑ "about-udaipur". udaipur.rajasthan.gov.in. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ↑ "Udaipur History- History of Udaipur, Udaipur Rajasthan History,Udaipur India History". www.udaipur.org.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ↑ "Udaipur travel". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 1 February 2022.