<P> Udaipur (pronunciation (help info)), also known as the "City of Lakes" or the "Kashmir of Rajasthan," is a major city, municipal corporation and the administrative headquarters of the Udaipur district in the Indian state of Rajasthan . It is the historic capital of the kingdom of Mewar in the former Rajputana Agency . It was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia clan of Rajput, when he shifted his capital from the city of Chittorgarh to Udaipur after Chittorgarh was besieged by Akbar . It remained as the capital city till 1818 when it became a British princely state, and thereafter the Mewar province became a part of Rajasthan when India gained independence in 1947 . </P> <P> Udaipur is located in the southern part of Rajasthan state, just near to the Gujarat border . It is surrounded by Aravali Range, which separates it from Thar Desert . It is around 655 km from Delhi and approximately 800 km from Mumbai, placed almost in the middle of two major Indian metro cities . Besides, connectivity with Gujarat ports provide Udaipur a strategic geographical advantage . Besides, Udaipur is well connected with nearby cities and states by means of road, rail and air transportation facilities, including Maharana Pratap Airport . Udaipur is spread across an area of 64 km, and stands as sixth largest city in Rajasthan by population, supporting a population of 451,100 according to 2011 Census . Popular languages spoken include Hindi, English and Rajasthani (Mewari). </P> <P> Udaipur is a very popular tourist destination, and known for its history, culture, scenic locations and the Rajput - era palaces . It is popularly knows as City of Lakes because of its sophisticated lake system . Five of the major lakes, namely Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Rangsagar and Doodh Talai Lake have been included under the restoration project of the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the Government of India . Besides lakes, Udaipur is also popular for its massive historic forts and palaces, museums, galleries, natural locations and gardens, architectural temples, as well as traditional fairs, festivals and structures . The Udaipur economy is primarily driver by tourism, though minerals, marble processing, chemical manufacturing and development, electronic manufacturing and the handicraft industry also contribute . Udaipur hosts several state and regional public offices, including offices of Director of Mines and Geology, Commissioner of Excise, Commissioner of Tribal Area Development, Hindustan Zinc Limited, and Rajasthan State Mines and Mineral Corporation Limited . Besides, Udaipur is rising as educational hub as well, with 5 Universities, 14 colleges and more than 160 high schools . Udaipur is home to IIM Udaipur, the fifth best management institution in the country according to NIRF ranking (1) released by MHRD . </P> <P> The Ahar River bank was inhabited by men in about 2000 B.C. There are footprints of two different civilizations, which provides claims about earliest inhabitants of the Ahar culture: the first ones are the Bhil / Bheels, the indigenous tribes originated at this place, and are still residing in the area in large numbers . The second footprints were unknown foreigners, who once entered the enclosed valley, and then continued to live in this place for centuries . </P>

Why udaipur is called city of lakes in hindi