Udaipur was once the capital of the powerful state of Mewar and
has great pride in being the only one of the seven major Rajput
states to have upheld its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim
invasions. The Mewar household is the longest lasting of all the
ruling powers in Rajasthan, and possibly the oldest surviving
dynasty in the world. The current ruler is the seventy-sixth in an
unbroken line of Mewar rulers dating back to 568 AD.
Undoubtedly the most romantic city in Rajasthan, and perhaps the
world, Udaipur is situated 200 miles (320km) southwest of Jaipur.
The city is centred around Lake Pichola and has inevitably been
dubbed the 'Venice of the East'. Two island palaces, Jagniwas and
Jagmandir, sit on the lake - the former is now the luxurious Lake
Palace Hotel. The majestic City Palace towers over the lake and is
bedecked by balconies, turrets and cupolas.
Despite the many attractions in and around the city, the real
joy of Udaipur lies in soaking up its atmosphere - taking in the
view from a rooftop, wandering around the relatively hassle free
city, enjoying a drink on the edge of the lake, or taking a boat to
Jagmandir Palace past the ghats (riverside landings) where
washerwomen congregate.
