[4][5] Jag Mandir is situated in one of the two natural islands in the Pichola lake (named after the village Picholi nearby), on its southern end.

The lake was initially created in the 15th century by a local banjara tribal chieftain for carrying grain across the streams.

During the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II, in 1560, the lake was substantially enlarged by constructing dams across two streams.

[4][5] During the revolt in 1857, Maharana Swroop Singh (1842–1861) saved a number of European families, mostly women and children from Neemuch, which were given refuge in the Jag Mandir Palace.

[4] After the Independence of India from the British rule, on 15 August 1947, at the initiative of Maharana Bhupal Singh, the Mewar kingdom merged with the Indian union in 1949 along with other princely states of Rajasthan.

The massive marble slabs affixed to the interior walls were inlaid with coloured rubies, onyx, jasper, cornelian and jade.

The Mahal is surrounded by a roomy circular apartment built in white and black marble with murals and paintings considered an uncommon feature in Rajput architecture.

A labyrinth of reception halls, residential suites, and internal courts were built inside the palace, all in Rajput and Mughal architectural styles.

The Kunwar Pada ka Mahal (the Palace of the Crown Prince) is located at the western end.

Fountains and water pools, crisscrossed by walkways with low marble handrails, bedeck the garden surroundings.

[4] The Jag Mandir is approached only by boat from the Bansi Ghat jetty next to the Lake Palace in Udaipur.