<P> Kota (/ ˈkoʊtə / (listen)) formerly known as Kotah, is a city located in the southeast of northern Indian state of Rajasthan . It is located about 250 kilometres (155 mi) south of the state capital, Jaipur, situated on the banks of Chambal River . With a population of over 1.2 million, it is the third most populous city of Rajasthan after Jaipur and Jodhpur, 46th most populous city of India and 53rd most populous urban agglomeration of India . It serves as the administrative headquarters for Kota district and Kota Division . Kota is a major coaching hub of the country for competitive examination preparations and has a number of engineering and medical coaching institutes . Books like Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat and Life in a Nutshell by Nitish Rajpurohit and Harsh Agarwal highlight the life of students in the city . </P> <P> The city 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 glory of the town, Kota is also known for its palaces and gardens . Mahesh Vijay of Bhartiya Janta Party is the current Mayor of Kota . In 2013, Kota was ranked the second most livable city in the state (after Jaipur) and forty - first in the country among 50 cities . The city was also included among 98 Indian cities for Smart Cities Mission initiated by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and was listed at 67th place after results of first round were released following which top 20 cities were further selected for funding in the immediate financial year . </P> <P> The history of the city dates back to the 12th century AD when Rao Deva, a Chauhan Rajput chieftain belonging to the Hada clan 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 . </P> <P> The independent state of Kota became a reality in 1631 when Rao Madho Singh, 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 . Zalim Singh, a diplomat and statesman, emerged as another prominent figure of the state in the 18th century . Although initially being a general of Kota's army, he rose to the regent of the kingdom after the king died leaving a minor on the throne . He remained a direct administrator of the state . In 1817, a treaty of friendship was signed between him and the British on his condition of carving out a part from the existing state for his descendants resulting in Jhalawar coming into existence in 1838 . During the 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 . </P>

Who was tha founder ruler of kota state