City of Udaipur and the City Palace on the shore of Lake Pichola in the evening, Rajasthan, India. The palace was begun in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II and extended by successive rulers in both Rajasthani and Mughal styles. Udaipur was the historic capital of the kingdom of Mewar and was founded in 1558 by Maharana Udai Singh II. It is known as the City of Lakes as it is surrounded by 7 artificial lakes made to supply irrigation and drinking water to the city. Picture by Manuel Cohen