Founded in 1568 by Maharana Udai Singh II, Udaipur was the capital of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar, ruled by Ranawats of Sisodia clan. The ancient capital of Mewar was Chittor or Chittorgarh, located on the Banas River northeast of Udaipur. It is said that Rana Udai Singh II met a hermit blessed the king and asked him to build a palace on the spot and it would be well protected surrounded by forests, lakes, and the protective Aravali Range. Udai Singh then built a residence for himself there. In the year Udaipur was founded, Mughal emperor Akbar captured Chittor, and Udai Singh moved the capital to the site of his residence.