Built from 1625 onwards, Kota's city palace reflects the city's stormy history-its exterior marrying rugged bastion and ramparts with delicate cupolas and balustrades. Basically Rajput in form, it also reflects the close connections the Kingdom had with the Mughals in its graceful Mughal-style design elements. The palace is a rambling complex of suites and apartments built by different rulers at different times.

A view of the City Palace

You enter through the 17th century Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate),typically of the Hadauti region of south-west Rajasthan in design, with its bracketed elephants forming an archway with their raised trunks, Inside lies the grand Raj Mahal,with ornate medieval glass and mirror inlay-work covering its walls and ceilings. There are also some fine 18th century frescos here, mainly depicting scenes from the legends of Lord Krishna. Adjoining this is a gallery with a fine collection of period Rajput weaponry, including Prithviraj Chauhan's historic scimitar and a fascinating array of old firearms, many of them superbly inlaid with gold and ivory.