Kota, Rajasthan
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Kota, Rajasthan
कोटा Education City | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Jagmandir palace | |
| Country | India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District | Kota |
| Area | |
| • Total | 318 km2 (123 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 271 m (889 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 1,001,365 |
| • Density | 3,189/km2 (8,260/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 324001 to 324011 and 324022 |
| Telephone code | 0744 |
| Vehicle registration | RJ 20 |
| Sex ratio | 912 ♂/♀ |
| Website | kota |
Kota (/ˈkoʊtə/; Rajasthani: ), formerly known as Kotah, is a third biggest city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan after Jaipur and Jodhpur.[2] It is located 240 kilometres (149 mi) south of state capital, Jaipur. Situated on the banks of Chambal River, and has been identified as a counter-magnet city for the National Capital Region to attract migrants and develop as an alternative centre of growth to Delhi. The city is the trade centre for an area in which millet, wheat, rice, pulses, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving, distilling, dairying, manufacture of metal handcrafts, fertilizers, chemicals and engineering equipment. It is one of the principal cities of Rajasthan state.
The city of Kota is situated at a center of the southeastern region of Rajasthan a very region widely known as Hadoti the land of the Hadas. Kota lies along the banks of the Chambal river and is the third largest city in Rajasthan. The historical places and temples are getting surrounded with signs of modern development. Kota is on a high sloping tableland forming a part of the Malwa Plateau. The Mokandarra hills run from southeast to northwest axis of the town. It is 36 km from Bundi. The town of Kota was once the part of the erstwhile Rajput kingdom of Bundi. It became a separate princely state in the 17th century. Apart from the several monuments that reflect the erstwhile glory of the town, Kota is also known for its palaces and gardens.
It has fertile land and greenery with irrigation facilities through canals. Kota is one of the industrial hubs in northern India, with chemical, engineering and power plants based there. The rail junction, a road hub, lies 4.8 km (3 mi) to the north. The Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express going through Kota Railway Station and it stops here.
Kota has a distinctive style of painting. The Crosthwaite Institute is located in Kota, as are old and new palaces of the Maharao (the maharajahs).
The mayor of Kota city is Dr. Ratna A. Jain.
Geography
Kota is located along eastern bank of the Chambal River in the southern part of Rajasthan. It is the third largest city of Rajasthan after [[Jaipur] and [Jodhpur]] The cartographic coordinates are 25°11′N 75°50′E / 25.18°N 75.83°E.[3] It covers an area of 12,436 km2 (3.63 per cent of the Rajasthan State).[4] It has an average elevation of 271 metres (889 ft). The district is bound on the north and north west by Sawai Madhopur, Tonk and Bundi districts. The Chambal River separates these districts from Kota district, forming the natural boundary. Kota is the home of Kota stone, sand stone, Kota Sarees, kachori, and coachings.
Distance from major cities
- Baran - 72 km
- Jaipur - 249 km
- Delhi - 498 km
- Mumbai - 920 km
- Ahmedabad - 541 km
- Ujjain - 257 km
- Indore - 307 km
- Pune - 760 km
- Chandigarh- 750 km
- Surat - 700 km
- Bangalore - 1620 km
- Hyderabad - 1128 km
- Kolkata - 1514 km
- Chennai - 1759 km
- Ajmer - 210 km
- Bikaner - 521 km
- Jodhpur - 389 km
Climate
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| Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kota has a semi arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh) with high temperatures throughout the year. Summers are long, hot and dry, starting in late March and lasting till the end of June. The monsoon season follows with comparatively lower temperatures, but higher humidity and frequent, torrential downpours. The monsoons subside in October and temperatures rise again. The brief, mild winter starts in late November and lasts until the last week of February. Temperatures hover between 26.7°C (max) to 12°C (min). This is the best time to visit Kota[opinion].
The average annual rainfall in the Kota district is 660.6 mm.[4] Most of the rainfall can be attributed to the southwest monsoon which has its beginning around the last week of June and may last till mid-September. Pre-monsoon showers begin towards the middle of June with post-monsoon rains occasionally occurring in October. The winter is largely dry, although some rainfall does occur as a result of the Western Disturbance passing over the region.
| Climate data for Kota | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 30.4 (86.7) |
36.8 (98.2) |
41.5 (106.7) |
44.2 (111.6) |
46.1 (115.0) |
46.1 (115.0) |
42.0 (107.6) |
37.8 (100.0) |
39.6 (103.3) |
38.8 (101.8) |
36.4 (97.5) |
31.5 (88.7) |
46.1 (115.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 25 (77) |
27 (81) |
33 (91) |
38 (100) |
42 (108) |
40 (104) |
34 (93) |
32 (90) |
33 (91) |
35 (95) |
30 (86) |
26 (79) |
33 (91) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10 (50) |
12 (54) |
18 (64) |
24 (75) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
26 (79) |
25 (77) |
24 (75) |
21 (70) |
15 (59) |
11 (52) |
20 (69) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.4 (39.9) |
4.3 (39.7) |
8.4 (47.1) |
13.8 (56.8) |
19.8 (67.6) |
20.8 (69.4) |
20.5 (68.9) |
21.4 (70.5) |
16.8 (62.2) |
14.2 (57.6) |
15.6 (60.1) |
12.0 (53.6) |
4.3 (39.7) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 10 (0.4) |
20 (0.8) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
20 (0.8) |
50 (2.0) |
250 (9.8) |
240 (9.4) |
110 (4.3) |
20 (0.8) |
0 (0) |
10 (0.4) |
730 (28.7) |
| Average rainy days | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 6.9 | 13.1 | 15.2 | 5.6 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 49.1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 48 | 38 | 25 | 19 | 23 | 43 | 67 | 74 | 58 | 40 | 41 | 48 | 44 |
| Source: Kota weather, NOAA (1971-1990) [5] | |||||||||||||
History
The history of the city dates back to the 12th century AD when the Hada, a Chauhan Rajput chieftain, Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the early 17th century, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi - Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture.
The independent state of Kota became a reality in 1631 when Rao Madho Singhal, the second son of Rao Ratan of Bundi was made the ruler, by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Soon Kota outgrew its parent state to become bigger in area, richer in revenue and more powerful. Maharao Bhim Singh played a pivotal role in Kota's history, having held a 'Mansab' of five thousand and being the first in his dynasty to have the title of Maharao. During colonial period firebrand social activist Guru Radha Kishan organised the masses against the policies of the government. He left Kota after local administration came to know about the arrest warrant issued against him for his participation in Indian Independence activities.
Princely city of Kota
| Princely city: Kota (कोटा) | |
| Region | Hadoti |
| 19th-century flag | 
|
| Independence from: | Bundi State |
| State existed: | 1579-1949 |
| Dynasties | Rajput Chauhan Hada |
| Capital | Kota |
Kota city became independent in 1579, after Bundi state in Hadoti region had become weak. Then, Kota ruled the territory which now is Kota district and Baran district.
Places of interest
Museums
Kota has two noteworthy museums:
- Maharao Madho Singh Museum
Situated in the old palace, the museum has a collection of Rajput miniature paintings of the Kota school, sculptures, frescoes and armoury. The museum also houses a repository of artistic items used by the Kota rulers.
- The Government Museum
Housed in the Brijvilas Palace near the Kishore Sagar, the museum displays a collection of rare coins, manuscripts and a representative selection of Hadoti sculpture. Especially noteworthy is a sculptured statue brought here from Baroli.
Places of worship
Kota is home to a large number of Temples and Gurudwaras, some of which date back to the medieval period. Notable places of worship include:
- Godavari Dham Temple
This Hanuman Temple is located beside the Chambal River. It has two high marble towers and huge marble swan built at the top of the entrance gate. It is visited by a large number of devotees especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays when a midnight Aarti of Lord Hanuman is organised. Around of 800-1000 Peoples are came on every Tuesday midnight for attending Pooja.
- Agamgarh Saheb Gurudwara
Situated on Kota-Bundi highway 8 km from Kota city, it is the largest Gurudwara of Kota and includes a "Langar" (community kitchen).
- Adharshila Dargah
- Badoli Temples
- Khare Ganesha Temple
- Tirupati Balaji Temple
- Karneshwar(Temple)
- Shivpuri Dham Temple
- Radha Krishna Temple
- Rangbari Balaji Temple
- Mathureshji Temple
- Radhakrishna Temple
Gardens and picnic spots
- Ummed Bhawan Palace
- Chambal Garden
- Traffic Park
- Chatra Vilas Udyan
- Nagaji ka baagh
- Gopal niwas baagh
- Nehru garden
- The Keshar Bagh, garden famous for its royal cenotaphs.
- Kala Khet (picnic spot)
- Gapernath (picnic spot)
- Bheetariya Kund (picnic spot)
- Darrah National Park
- Bhanvarkunj (Chambal waterfall)
- Ranthambore Tiger Reserve- 110 K.m - 1.5 Hrs
- Mukundra hills tiger reserve kota
- Adharshila Dargah, situated near Bheetariya kund, is abig rock. Its a big Rock in the water where the whole weight of rock is on one point
- Ram Janki Mandir, Keshavpura. Kota
Other places of interest
- Chambal River Ghariyal (Alligator) reservoir
- Garh Palace
- Brijraj Bhavan Palace (residence of Ex-Darbar)
- Pahadajhar Mahadev waterfall
- Adhar Shila (slanting rock)
- Jawahar Sagar Dam
- Kota Barrage
A part of the irrigation canal system on the Chambal River, this beautiful setting is ideal for outings and evening strolls.
The palace of Jag Mandir stands amidst the artificial lake of Kishore Sagar constructed in 1346 by Prince Dher Deh of Bundi. Boat-rides can be enjoyed in the lake.
Gumanpura,Kotri Road and shopping centre area near Aerodrome circle are the largest shopping spots in the city.
Newspapers
- Dainik Bhaskar
- Rajasthan Patrika
- Dainik Nav Jyoti
- Jannayak
- Dainik Kota Beuro
- Hadoti Express
- Kota Plus
- Chambal Sandesh
- Kota Classified http://kotaclassified.com/
Demographics
As of 2011[update], Kota had a population of 1,001,365, of which male and female are 529,795 and 471,570 respectively. Although Kota city has population of 1,001,365; its urban Agglomeration is city only and does not qualify under the definition for a metropolitan city as defined by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.[6][7] The sex ratio was 906 and 12.74% were under six years of age. The effective literacy rate was 83.65%, with male literacy at 90.56% and female literacy at 75.90%. It is 3rd largest city in Rajasthan and 46th largest in India.
Government institutions and courts
Governmental institutions in Kota include:
- Municipal Corporation
- Collectorate
- Office of the Divisional Commissioner
- Rajasthan Housing Board
- Chambal Agriculture Department (CAD)
- Urban Improvement Trust (UIT)
- Office of the Superintendent of Police, Inspector General of Police and the Income Tax commissioner of Kota range.
- Office of the Divisional Railway Manager, Kota Division, West Central Railway
Instrumentation Ltd is a Public Sector company based in Kota. Its clientele includes public sector entities such as the Indian Railways, BSNL and VSNL
The District court provides court and notary services. kota is career capital of country.
Health services
Healthcare is provided by a combination of public and private-sector hospitals.
The main hospitals include:
- MBS Hospital, Civil Lines
- Global Modi Hospital, Swami Vivekanand Nagar
- Medical college Hospital, R.K. Puram
- Maitri Hospital, Talwandi
- Sudha Hospital, Talwandi
- Sudha Heart Institute. Talwandi, Kota
- Cancer Hospital, Dadabari
- Kota Heart institute, Talwandi
- PMC American Hospital, Indra Vihar
- Bharat Vikas Parishad Hospital, Pratap Nagar
- E.S.I. Hospital, Vigyan Nagar
- Ratna Nursing Home, Nayapura
- M.J.Hospital, Vasant Vihar
- Jaiswal hospital & Neuro institute, Vigyan Nagar
There are 16 other hospitals within the city limit
Economy
Kota's economy today is driven by the all-India fame of its coaching classes, it is regarded as a largest coaching hub in India. The city is also the trade center for an area in which cotton, millet, wheat, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving, distilling, dairying, and the manufacture of metal handcrafts. Kota also has an extensive industry of stone-polishing of a stone called Kota Stone. Kota stone is blue in colour and is used for the floor and walls of residential and business buildings. It is a cheap alternative to marble. The major industries include DCM Sriram Consolidated Limited (DSCL), Instrumentaion Limited, Multimetals Limited, Samtel Glass Limited, Birla Cement, CFCL Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited[disambiguation needed], Sriram Fertilizers and Metal India (in agricultural sector), shriram rayons(DCM shriram industries limited)
Education
In the past decade the city has emerged as a popular coaching destination for competitive exams preparation and for-profit educational services has become a major part of the city's economy. The city attracts thousands of students every year from all over India to prepare primarily for the IIT-JEE, AIEEE and AIPMT. Some of the renowned coaching institutes are Vibrant Academy (India) Private Limited, Allen Career Institute, Career Point Ltd., Bansal Classes, Resonance Eduventures Pvt. Ltd. & Motion iitjee.
Kota doria
Kota is known for the fine translucent muslins called Masuria Malmal. Originally, such saris were called Masuria because they were woven in Mysore. The weavers were subsequently brought to Kota by Rao Kishore Singh who was a general in the Mughal army. The weavers were brought to Kota in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and the saris came to be known as 'Kota-Masuria'. Kota saris are popularly known as 'Masuria' in Kota and Kotadoria outside the state. 'Doria' means thread. Bheru-gali in Rampura can still be found lined up with saree shops over half a century old.
Kota stone
The fine-grained variety of limestone is known as Kota stone, with rich greenish-blue and brown colours. Kota stone is preferred for flooring and wall cladding, paving and facades of buildings. They are tough, non water-absorbent, non-slip, non-porous and have excellent stain removability. The varieties include Kota Blue Natural, Kota Blue Honed, Kota Blue Polished, Kota Blue Cobbles, Kota Brown Natural and Kota Brown Polished.
Industries
Kota is the only city in India which has all 4 different types of power stations – thermal, hydro, gas and nuclear.[citation needed] The major industries include DCM Sriram Consolidated Limited (DSCL), Instrumentaion Limited, Multimetals Limited, Samtel Glass Limited, Birla Cement, CFCL (Chambal Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd), Sriram Fertilizers and Metal India (in the agricultural sector), Rajendra Engineering Works (www.rewindia.com), Kota (manufacturer of wide range of technical products for processing plants.(www.sohalengg.com)Sohal Engg. Works as an oldest manufacturer of stone tumbling machines, yard rampes, multi purpose trollys, water cum storage tanks and implements in Rajsthan, established in 1972.Rajendra Engineering Works made India's first machine to produce mustard pungent oil without Kachhi Ghani)[citation needed]. Kota has one of the India's largest cluster industry of welding rods.[citation needed]. Kota is also emerging as a Dairy center with 3 major private players in Dairy farming.
Saris
Kota is known for its fabulous weaves which was started by Maharana Bhimdeo in the 18th century. [1]. Maharaja Bhim Singh of Kota brought some weavers from the Deccan in the early 18th Century and the craft blossomed under the royal patronage. "Kota has 20 per cent silk input. It gives the fabric the sheen and an edge over its cotton counterparts," says Vidhi, known as a crafts exponent in the fashion fraternity. The warp and weft use a combination of threads creating a fine chequered pattern (Khat) where the cotton portion provides firmness while the silk lends a gossamer finish to the fabric.
Higher education
Kota has four major universities:
- Rajasthan Technical University
- University of Kota
- Vardhman Mahaveer Open University;
- Career point university
It also has one government medical college, one private dental collage,one physiotherapy college, Many engineering colleges, 15 general colleges, a number of MBA Institutes, and a medical college.
The Government College of Kota University Engineering College, Kota is the largest government-run college in the state of Rajasthan under University of Kota.
An Indian Institute of Information Technology(IIIT) and An Agreculture University are opening soon in the city.
Transport
Kota is connected with road and rail. It is also connected by air, although only chartered flights are available.
Roadways
The district is connected with neighbouring districts and with major cities outside the state. National highway No.12 (Jaipur—Jabalpur) and National Highway No.76 passes through the district. National Highway No.76 is a part of East-West Corridor. The total road length in the district is 2,052 km. as of March 2011.
There are two bus stations in Kota:
- Rajasthan roadways bus stand in Nayapura.
- Inter-state bus terminal at DCM road.
- Rawatbhata Bus Stand at Ghode Wale Baba Crossing.
Daily buses carry passengers inter-state as well as within the city.
Railways
Kota is the only station in Rajasthan followed by Jaipur, connected to all the major cities of India. It is an important station on the Delhi-Mumbai main line. Kota Junction is one of the divisions in West Central Railway. Kota has several direct trains to Kolkata. Kota has four railway stations. Another suburban station of South Kota city is Dakaniya Talav Railway station which has a stoppage of Avadh Express, Dehradun Express and Ranthambore Express
The city is a halt for around 100 trains, including Jaipur - Indore SuperFast, Udaipur SuperFast (Delhi - Udaipur City Express), Dayodaya Express (Jaipur - Jabalpur Express / Ajmer - Jabalpur Express), Jodhpur - Indore Intercity, Hazrat Nizamuddin - Indore Express, Garbha Express, Marusagar Express (Ajmer - Ernakulam Express / Ernakulam Express), Jaipur - Mysore Express, Jaipur - Chennai Express, Jaipur - Coimbatore Express, Jodhpur - Puri Express, Jodhpur - Bhopal Express, Jodhpur - Indore Intercity, and the Mumbai Rajdhani Express.
The Delhi—Mumbai railway line passes through the Kota junction. The district has 148.83 km of railway line in the Kota— Ruthia section, 98.72 km on Nagda—Mathura (Mumbai-Delhi) section and 24.26 km on Kota—Chittorgarh section.
A broad-gauge railway facility between Kota and Jodhpur via Jaipur exists.
Kota is also an originating point for many trains like Kota - Damoh Passenger (Kota - Katni Passenger) connecting Kota to Damoh in Madhya Pradesh. The Kota - Indore Intercity Express connects to another major city of Madhya Pradesh, Indore Junction. There is also a Jan Shatabdi Express train, from Kota to national capital Delhi. The other includes, Kota - Vadodara Passenger, Kota - Hanumangarh Express, Kota - Ajmer, Kota - Jabalpur & Kota - Bina Passenger. Kota - Patna Express connects Kota and Patna cities via Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi.
Airways
The nearest major airports are located at Jaipur and Udaipur which operate flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Ahmedabad and most large cities in India.
Kota has its own airport, Kota Airport, though there have been no scheduled services operating from it since 1999.[8]
References
- ^ "Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011; Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (pdf). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
- ^ http://www.indiatravelportal.com/rajasthan-tourism/major-cities/
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kota
- ^ a b Statistics by Govt. of Rajasthan
- ^ "Hota (A) Climate Normals 1971-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^ Million-plus UA cities of India census India 2011
- ^ Kota City Census report census 2011
- ^ "Airports fail to lure airlines". The Times of India. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
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External links
- Official website of Kota District
- Rajasthan tourism
- Kota information with map
- Kota Ka Business station
Further reading
- Tod James Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan: Or, The Central and Western Rajpoot States of India Published 2001 Asian Educational Services ISBN 81-206-1289-2 pp. 407–690