Chhota Udaipur is a city nestled in the Chhota Udaipur district in the Gujarat state of India. It is a municipality in Chhota Udaipur district. It is also the headquarters of Chhota Udaipur district. Chhota Udaipur district is a newly formed district which was carved out of the Vadodara district on January 26, 2013. The official languages of Chhota Udaipur are Gujarati and Hindi.
History of Chhota Udaipur
Chhota Udaipur was the capital of the former Princely State of Chhota Udaipur. It was established by Rawal Udeysinhji, a descendant of Patai Rawal of Champaner in 1743. This state was a second class state under Rewa Kantha Agency. It had merged with the Union of India on March 10, 1948.
HH Aishwarya Pratap Singh Chauhan, the third son of Maharaja Virendra Pratap Singh Chauhan, is the present Maharaja of Chhota Udaipur. Some of the earlier rulers of the state were Arsisinhji (1762 - 1771), Hamirsinhji II (1771 - 1777), Bhimsinhji (1777 - 1822), Gumansinhji (1822 - 1851), Jitsinhji (1851 - 1881), Motisinhji (1881 - 1895), Fatehsinhji (1895 - 29 Aug 1923), Natwarsinhji Fatehsinhji (29 Aug 1923 - 15 Oct 1946) and Virendrasinhji (15 Oct 1946 - 15 Aug 1947).
Demographics of Chhota Udaipur
According to India census of 2011, Chhota Udaipur had a population of 27,165 of which males constitute 51% and females 49%. 11% of the population was under 6 years of age. One the basis of the report of same year, the city had an average literacy rate of 69% which was higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 76% and female literacy of 62%.
Attractions of Chhota Udaipur
Chhota Udaipur is notable for a number of historical monuments. In the city of Chhota Udaipur, the Kali Niketan (Nahar Mahal) palace is a famous monument. It was built as the summer residence of the erstwhile royal family. Then tourists can visit the tribal museum which is home to a large collection of tribal artefacts. The city is also notable for the Rathwas in and around the city. The Rathwas are known for Pithora painting. These sorts of paintings are usually carried out on the walls of the village houses.