Founding of a New Capital

Maharana Udai Singh seeking blessings of Goswami Prem Giriji Maharaj to lay the foundation of the palace at Udaipur. Image courtesy: An exhibition titled ‘Maharana Pratap—The Bravest of the Brave’ mounted by FACT–India.

The Founding of a New Capital

Mewar Mature Phase

The City Palace at Udaipur has evolved as the seat of twenty-two successive generations of rulers of Mewar,

beginning with Maharana Udai Singh II (1537-1572 AD), the fifty-third ruler of the Mewar dynasty

credited with the founding of Udaipur in the mid 16 th century AD. The earlier capital of Chittor was in a

vulnerable position, having suffered repeated attacks from the Mughals, the rulers at Gujarat, Malwa and

even the neigbouring state of Marwar. It was in 1553 AD that work on constructing a new capital was

commenced in the Girwa portion of Mewar, which was securely positioned within the Aravalli hills. The

period from the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II (r.1537-1572 AD) up to that of Maharana Amar Singh I

(r. 1597-1620 AD), marks an important political move in the history of Mewar. It also delineates a distinct

phase in the construction of the City Palace at Udaipur, characterised by the Mewar style of architecture.

Selection of a Site

The selection of the site of the City Palace is based on the prescribed guidelines in the traditional architectural treatise of Mewar, the Rajvallabha by Sutradhar Mandan. According to this, the ideal location of a royal stronghold is best located on a fish shaped hill, called Rana Magri, next to an ample supply of water and strategically placed so as to maximise natural defenses. Perhaps his own experience in the earlier forts of Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh had illustrated to Maharana Udai Singh II the disadvantages of locating a fort atop a single hill. In the event of a prolonged attack, rations and supplies could run out rapidly, making the fort easy prey to invaders. Therefore, having a vast expanse of flat, arable land within the walled city and a constant supply of fresh water in the form of a lake, which also had cultivable shores ensured long term self reliance. Due to its basic geological formation, the site provided ample structural stability. The easy availability of stone and other construction materials in nearby areas was an added advantage.

Right: The City Palace on the banks of Lake Pichola

Maharana Udai Singh II AD 1537 - 1572 Maharana Pratap I AD 1572 - 1597 Maharana Amar Singh I AD 1597 - 1620

Strategically located on the crest of a ridge, the palace was to have its back to Lake Pichola on the west and the city towards its eastern edge. Being the highest point closest to the lake shore offered an excellent vantage point as well as adequate defence from the enemy and local wildlife. The historic 14 th century water body at the village of Picholi was protected and expanded to sustain the later settlement of Udaipur. Records suggest that the small existing lake was dug deeper and wider and surrounded with bunds or pals to capture water run-off and use it for irrigation. The banks and shores along the palace and the rest of the city were developed into attractive ghats that served as spaces for recreation and religious ceremonies. As part of an extensive defensive strategy, the Udai Sagar Lake was also constructed at this time and used systematically along with the other lakes to irrigate gardens and farmlands through an intricate system of canals. The historic text Amar Kaavya records various construction works undertaken by Udai Singh II; a temple behind Chogan area in Udaipur, houses for the nobles, Nauchowki in the centre of Udaipur and an incomparable palace in the Lake Pichola named the Damdama Mahal (a pre-cursor to the Jagmandir).

Some of the longest enduring socio-cultural beliefs associated with Mewar may be traced back to the founding of the new capital. According to one such legend, Maharana Udai Singh II stumbled upon the site for his new capital by a fortuitous accident, while he was hunting near Lake Pichola. He shot an arrow through a hare, which was bathed in miraculous light, which the king took to be a sign that his new city should be built at this spot. He met the revered hermit Goswami Prem Giriji Maharaj who blessed him and announced that his new capital would be prosperous and well protected. The exact location where Maharana Udai Singh II was hunting, before he met Prem Giriji was demarcated with a wooden post driven into the ground, and became known as ‘Bhairav’ marked till date at the entrance gateway to the palace, the Badi Pol. The site where the hermit Prem Giriji meditated became the genius loci of the palace as well as the city of Udaipur as the Nauchowki Mahal.

Beyond such social beliefs, he needs to be credited for his ingenuity in selecting a land in the Girwa valley that was well known to his ancestors for centuries for its rich natural, mineral and geological resources including Zawar and Ahar areas.

After the founding of the new capital, several new structures were built in the city, such as the Debari Gate, a sarai for travelers and visitors to the city, a baori (stepwell) as well as the Dumdama Palace on an island in the Lake Pichola. Strategically located cannons were placed on the peak of the Machla Magra (the literal translation of which means “fish shaped hillock”) as well. While Udai Singh’s primary focus was the building of his new capital and the strengthening of his kingdom, political strife with Marwar, Gujarat and other neighbours as well as the Mughals continued right until his death in Gogunda in 1572 AD.

Facing Page Left: Battle of Haldi Ghati (18th June 1576), 1935, Acc. No: 2011.26.0016 Facing Page Right: Kunwar Amar Singh produced Begum Khan Khana, captured in battle, before Maharana Pratap who in all magnanimity asked him to return her with respect to her camp. 1920-1930 CE, Acc. No: 2011.26.0022

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