Overview
Udaipur district is an administrative district in the southern part of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Its headquarters is the city of Udaipur, historically the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Mewar. The district lies in the Aravalli range and is known for its lakes, palaces, hills, tribal heritage and forested landscape, which together make it one of the most visited tourism regions in Rajasthan.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Region | Mewar |
| Headquarters | Udaipur |
| Division | Udaipur division |
| Major language | Mewari, Hindi |
| Terrain | Aravalli hills, plateaus and valleys |
Geography
The district occupies a hilly tract of the southern Aravallis. Elevations rise sharply west and south of Udaipur city, while the eastern parts open into more cultivable plains. The Berach, Banas, Som, Wakal and Sabarmati river systems drain different portions of the district. Several artificial lakes, including Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar, Jaisamand and Badi, were created by the Mewar rulers and continue to support irrigation and water supply. The district contains substantial forest cover and is part of the catchment for tribal-dominated areas of southern Rajasthan.
Administration
Udaipur district is the headquarters of the Udaipur division, which also includes neighbouring districts of southern Rajasthan. The district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, with a Superintendent of Police heading the district police. It is divided into several tehsils and panchayat samitis, with subdivisions centred on Udaipur, Girwa, Mavli, Vallabhnagar, Salumbar (until its separation), Sarada, Kherwara, Kotra, Jhadol, Gogunda and Lasadiya, among others. Following administrative reorganisation in Rajasthan, the carving out of new districts has altered the boundaries and tehsil composition of Udaipur district.
History
The territory of present-day Udaipur district forms the core of historical Mewar, ruled by the Guhila and later Sisodia Rajputs. The capital was shifted from Chittorgarh to a new site near Lake Pichola by Maharana Udai Singh II in the 16th century, and the city of Udaipur grew around it. The region is associated with rulers such as Maharana Pratap, whose resistance against the Mughal forces, including the Battle of Haldighati (1576), took place in this terrain. After the integration of princely states, Mewar acceded to the Indian Union and Udaipur was incorporated into the new state of Rajasthan in 1949.
Demographics and society
The population is largely Hindu, with significant Muslim and Jain communities and a notable Christian minority in some tribal pockets. A large share of the rural population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, particularly the Bhil community, along with Garasia, Meena and Damor groups. Mewari, a dialect of Rajasthani, is the most widely spoken language; Wagdi and Bhili variants are common in tribal areas, while Hindi is used for administration and education.
Economy
The economy combines agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism. Maize, wheat, gram, soybean, mustard and pulses are important crops, with horticulture expanding in irrigated tracts. Udaipur lies in a mineral-rich belt, with deposits of zinc, lead, silver, marble, soapstone, phosphate and dolomite; Hindustan Zinc operates major mines and smelters in the district. Marble processing and dimension-stone industries are concentrated around the city. Tourism, anchored by Udaipur's lakes, palaces and heritage hotels, contributes substantially to local employment and services.
Transport
Udaipur is connected by National Highway 48 (Delhi–Mumbai corridor segment) and other national and state highways to Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer and Chittorgarh. The Udaipur City railway station is the main rail head, with broad-gauge connections to Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and other cities. Maharana Pratap Airport at Dabok, located in the district, provides domestic air connectivity.
Culture and tourism
The district is one of the most prominent heritage and tourism zones of Rajasthan. Notable sites include the City Palace complex, Lake Pichola with Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Saheliyon-ki-Bari, Bagore-ki-Haveli, Jagdish Temple, Eklingji and Nathdwara (in adjoining areas), Jaisamand Lake, the Haldighati battlefield site near Khamnor, and the Kumbhalgarh and Sajjangarh surroundings. Mewari painting, traditional Pichwai art, Ghoomar dance and folk forms such as Bhavai are part of the district's cultural heritage. The Mewar Festival and Shilpgram Utsav are notable annual events.
Education and institutions
Udaipur is an educational hub for southern Rajasthan. Major institutions include Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, the Indian Institute of Management Udaipur, Geetanjali University, Pacific University and several engineering, medical and management colleges. Research and training institutions in mining, agriculture and tribal studies are also based in the district.
Protected areas
The district contains the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary near Udaipur city and parts of the Phulwari ki Nal and Kumbhalgarh sanctuaries on its peripheries, along with the Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary around Jaisamand Lake. These areas protect dry deciduous forests and species such as leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, chital and a range of birdlife.
Related topics
- Udaipur
- Mewar
- Rajasthan
- Aravalli Range
- Maharana Pratap
- Battle of Haldighati
- Districts of Rajasthan
- Bhil people
References
- Wikidata: Udaipur district (Q1321577)
- Government of Rajasthan, district administration portal for Udaipur
- Census of India, district handbooks for Udaipur