Kota Fort stands on the bank of the Chambal River in the heart of the old city, a large complex of palaces, temples, and courtyards accumulated over three centuries of Hada Chauhan rule. The Rao Madho Singh Museum inside the City Palace houses an impressive collection of Kota school paintings, weapons, howdahs, and royal memorabilia.
The Kota school of miniature painting, developed at this court in the 17th and 18th centuries, is one of the most distinctive in Rajasthan: vigorous, densely observed hunting scenes in lush forest settings, with tigers, lions, and boar painted with unusual naturalism. The museum holds some of the best surviving examples. The fort complex also contains several ornately carved temples worth exploring.