Maharana Raj Singh, The 1662 Great Famine & Royal Vision
Stretching across a colossal water expanse measuring over six kilometers in length and three kilometers in width in the central plains of Mewar, approximately 65 km north of Udaipur, Rajsamand Lake is one of the grandest and most historically significant artificial royal lakes in India. Commissioned in 1662 CE by Maharana Raj Singh I—the fearless sovereign of Mewar renowned for defiantly standing against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's religious taxation (jizya) and sheltering the sacred deity of Shrinathji—the lake was conceived as a monumental famine relief undertaking.
During the catastrophic drought of 1661-1662, which threatened the agrarian survival of thousands across Mewar, Maharana Raj Singh refused to distribute mere charitable doles. Instead, he mobilized over sixty thousand starving laborers, masons, and sculptors, providing them with dignified employment, daily food grain rations, and wages over a construction period spanning fourteen years.
By damming the seasonal Gomti, Kelwa, and Tali rivers with a colossal earthen and granite embankment measuring over 1.5 kilometers in length, the engineers created a water reservoir holding millions of cubic meters of fresh water. Completed in 1676 CE at an immense royal expenditure of over 10.5 million silver rupees, the lake permanently banished famine from the region.
- Royal Benefactor: Commissioned in 1662 CE by Maharana Raj Singh I as an epic famine relief project.
- Colossal Reservoir: Spans 6 km in length and 3 km in width, holding runoff from the Gomti River basin.
- Nau Chauki Embankment: Built entirely from white Makrana marble, adorned with carved pavilions and toranas.
- World Epigraphical Wonder: Enshrines the Rajprasasti, the longest Sanskrit stone inscription on earth.
Set into twenty-five niches along the marble embankment of Nau Chauki are twenty-five massive slabs of polished black marble, inscribed with 1,017 Sanskrit verses composed by the royal poet Ranchhod Bhatt Tailang. Known as the Rajprasasti Mahakavyam, it is recognized by historians as the longest continuous stone inscription in the world, chronicling the complete history of Mewar from Lord Rama down to Maharana Raj Singh.
Nau Chauki Ghat: Nine-Tiered Steps & Five Royal Pavilions
The undisputed architectural crown of Rajsamand Lake is Nau Chauki Ghat ('The Nine-Square Embankment'), located on the northern shore of the reservoir. Stepping down into the water in nine rhythmic, geometric stone terraces, the entire monumental embankment is crafted from pristine white Makrana marble.
Gracefully positioned along the marble promenade are five exquisite royal pavilions (chhatris), each resting upon ornately carved pillars with sculpted brackets depicting dancing apsaras, floral cascades, and mythical water monsters (makaras). The ceilings are corbelled domes carved with concentric lotus rings that filter the bright desert sunlight into soft luminous patterns.
Also gracing the ghat are three monumental carved marble toranas (ornamental ceremonial gateway arches). During the grand royal consecration of the lake in 1676 CE, Maharana Raj Singh performed the ancient Vedic ritual of Tuladaan, weighing himself in gold, silver, and precious gemstones beneath these very toranas, and distributing the entire treasure among the famine-stricken populace, poets, and master craftsmen.
The Rajprasasti Mahakavyam: History Etched in Black Marble
Beyond its visual elegance, Nau Chauki holds supreme global importance in the field of Indian epigraphy and historiography. Embedded into twenty-five custom niches along the inner embankment walls are twenty-five massive slabs of polished black marble, measuring roughly 3 feet by 2.5 feet each.
Inscribed upon these slabs are 1,017 verses of the celebrated 'Rajprasasti Mahakavyam', composed in classical Sanskrit by the royal court poet Ranchhod Bhatt Tailang. Dating to 1676 CE, this monumental epigraph is the longest continuous historical stone inscription in the world. It provides an unbroken, chronological account of the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar, beginning with their mythological lineage from the Sun God (Surya) and Lord Rama.
The text meticulously documents the heroic resistance of Maharana Kumbha, Maharana Sanga, and Maharana Pratap, the conflicts with Mughal armies, the architectural costs and measurements of the lake, the daily grain rations given to famine laborers, and the planetary astrological alignments during the lake's inauguration, offering historians an extraordinarily accurate eyewitness primary source.
The centuries-old polished white marble steps of Nau Chauki Ghat can become extremely slippery when wet or covered with morning dew. Walk carefully on lower tiers. Bathing with chemical soaps or washing clothes in the historic reservoir is strictly prohibited to protect water quality.
Transit Infrastructure, Rail Hubs & Road Access
Rajsamand Lake is located in Rajsamand district (centered on the twin municipal towns of Rajsamand and Kankroli), approximately 65 km north of Udaipur and 330 km southwest of Jaipur. It is situated directly along National Highway 8 (NH 8 / NH 58), the primary four-lane expressway connecting Jaipur and Ajmer to Udaipur and Ahmedabad. The road drive from Udaipur takes roughly 1 to 1.25 hours over smooth, multi-lane highways.
The nearest broad-gauge railway station is Kankroli Railway Station (station code: KDL, 4 km east), which is connected by passenger and express trains on the Marwar-Udaipur broad-gauge branch. For nationwide superfast express train services, Udaipur City Railway Station (station code: UDZ, 65 km south) and Falna Railway Station (90 km west) provide comprehensive connectivity.
The nearest commercial airport is Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur (UDR, 75 km south, approx. 1.5 hours driving time). Rajsamand offers numerous comfortable business hotels, lakeside guest houses, and heritage resorts, making it a wonderful stopover between Udaipur and Kumbhalgarh.
- Expressway Route: 65 km north of Udaipur (1 hour) via NH 8; 330 km from Jaipur.
- Nearest Railhead: Kankroli Railway Station (4 km) and Udaipur City Junction (65 km).
- Nearest Airport: Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur (UDR, 75 km).
- Circuit Synergy: Located directly beside Kankroli Dwarkadhish Temple (3 km) and Nathdwara (18 km).
Sunset Vistas, Lake Panoramas & Travel Essentials
The best period to visit Rajsamand Lake is between October and March, when the weather is delightfully cool, dry, and sunny. Late afternoons are particularly magical, as the setting sun bathes the white marble pavilions of Nau Chauki in warm shades of amber and rose gold, casting mirror-like reflections upon the vast freshwater lake.
Visitors should allocate at least 1.5 hours to walk the length of the marble embankment, examine the black marble Rajprasasti slabs, and appreciate the intricate stone carvings on the pavilions. Informational signboards installed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) describe the history of the inscriptions.
The lake also serves as an important staging ground for winter migratory waterfowl, including bar-headed geese, pelicans, and coots that roost in the tranquil southern shallows. Combine your visit with the nearby lakeside temple of Dwarkadhish in Kankroli for a complete cultural and spiritual experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who built Rajsamand Lake and what was the historical reason?
Rajsamand Lake was commissioned in 1662 CE by Maharana Raj Singh I of Mewar as a massive famine-relief project, providing employment, food, and water security to over 60,000 drought-stricken people.
What is the Rajprasasti on Nau Chauki Ghat?
The Rajprasasti is the longest continuous historical stone inscription in the world, consisting of 1,017 Sanskrit verses carved onto 25 black marble slabs chronicling the complete history of Mewar.
Why is the embankment called Nau Chauki?
The embankment is named Nau Chauki ('Nine Squares') because the monumental white marble steps descend into the water across nine geometric, terraced tiers adorned with five sculpted pavilions.
How can one reach Rajsamand Lake from Udaipur?
Rajsamand Lake is located 65 km north of Udaipur along NH 8 (approx. 1 hour by car or bus). The closest railway station is Kankroli, just 4 km away.
What other spiritual destination is located on the shores of Rajsamand Lake?
The sacred 17th-century Vaishnavite temple of Dwarkadhish in Kankroli, a major seat of the Pushtimarg tradition, is located directly on the lake's eastern shore.