It used to be the seat of the Dholpur princely state before Independence, and today is a city of diverse culture and historical grandeur. The red sandstone from Dholpur is famous throughout the country and was famously used in the construction of the Red Fort in Delhi. The history of Dholpur, earlier known as Dhawalgiri, dates back to Lord Buddha's time and Dholpur was a part of the great Mauryan empire as well.