Rajasthan's largest industrial town, situated on the banks of the river Chambal, it is well known for it's famous Kota sarees and also for a miniature school of art which specialised in hunting scenes. The cotton sarees are very popular as summer wear. Kota, with Bundi and Jhalawar, comes under the Hadoti circuit. It also serves as an army head-quarters. The industries are mainly dealing in chemicals, powered by the hydro-electric plants on the Chambal river and the nearby nuclear plant.

It also has it's magestic forts and palaces. A lot of other reminders of it's past are scattered all over the city, like the fort with it's museum and the Jagmandir, the Brijraj Bhawan Palace and the Umaid Bhawan Palace.