The City Palace Preface

The Manek Chowk - at a glance:

This is the largest courtyard in The City Palace, Udaipur. It was constructed by Maharana Karan Singh (r.1620 - 1628 CE). It is accessible from two sides of the majestic gateways of the Palace, the Tripoliya gate on the north and Suraj Pol to the east. Toran Pol on the western side of this chowk leads to the interior of the Palace.

Interestingly, a part of this chowk actually acts as the roof of underground vaulted chambers that were used as granaries and to store fodder. This chowk is the main public area and has been a venue for celebration of festivals, recreational activities, public meetings, ceremonial processions, and horse elephant parades for the rulers for centuries and also in present time. Till date, all the festivals and other ceremonies are celebrated in this chowk with participation of the Mewar family and the local gentry.

This space is used by Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation for their Annual Award Distribution Ceremony. he northern part is fully paved and is used for car parking. The Mewar Sound and Light show is held here in the evening as it allows a magnificent view of the entire Palace facade.

The Manek Chowk, The City Palace witnessing the Maharana Mewar Foundation Annual Award Distribution Ceremony

On the eastern side, you see a row of low-level openings, which was used to house the elephants; and there are elephant beds and posts where they could be tied. At the further end of the courtyard, is the Palki Khana where Palanquins were stored in the past. Now it is a partly open, partly covered European style restaurant on the ground level and a shopping arcade on the first floor called Aashka.

The two-third of this courtyard is now converted into a beautifully laid out Mughal style garden, with geometrically laid stone pathways, planters, fountains and lawns, created in 1992 by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar.

The layout is axial and symmetrical, with substantial expanses of green areas.

Its architectural significance lies in the fact that it is the largest man made terrace/court in Rajasthan and a commendable engineering feat of the 17th century. The existing reuse of Manek Chowk is similar to its historic usage as a public place for celebration of events and festivals. On a daily basis, it ideally serves as a museum entry space.

Lush green Manek Chowk in the foreground of The City Palace, Udaipur

Who constructed The Manek Chowk and when was it made?

It was built by Maharana Karan Singh (r.1620 - 1628 CE) and reconstructed as a garden and courtyard in year 1992 by the 76th custodian of Mewar, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar.

Maharana Karan Singh

Arvind Singh Mewar

Why was The Manek Chowk constructed?

This chowk was the main venue for celebration of festivals, recreational activities, public meetings, ceremonial processions, horse and elephant parades for the rulers for centuries and also in present time.