In India, which of the following cities is popularly known by the nickname ‘‘City of Palaces’’ because of its numerous grand buildings and mansions from the colonial era?

Introduction / Context:
Many Indian cities are known by distinctive nicknames that reflect their history, architecture or culture, such as the Pink City or the City of Lakes. The title "City of Palaces" refers to a city known for its large number of grand palatial buildings and mansions, many of them built during the colonial period. The question tests whether you can correctly associate this nickname with the right Indian city, an important part of basic geography and general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The nickname in question is "City of Palaces".
• The options are Jaipur, Kolkata, Gwalior and Udaipur.
• We assume familiarity with at least some of these cities' architectural reputations.
• The question asks which city in India is popularly called by this name.

Concept / Approach:
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), the capital of British India until 1911, is famous for its imposing colonial era architecture, including mansions built by wealthy merchants (often called "rajbaris") and grand public buildings like the Victoria Memorial. Because of these numerous palatial structures, it earned the nickname "City of Palaces". While Jaipur is more commonly known as the "Pink City", and Udaipur as the "City of Lakes", Gwalior is famous for its fort and Scindia palaces but is not usually referred to in general knowledge as the City of Palaces in the same way. Therefore, the city most strongly associated with this nickname is Kolkata.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall common nicknames: Jaipur is widely called the Pink City; Udaipur is called the City of Lakes; Mysore (not listed here) is sometimes also called a city of palaces. Step 2: Note that Kolkata, as a former capital of British India, has many grand colonial buildings and merchant mansions. Step 3: Recognise that these large houses and public buildings led to the popular description of Kolkata as the City of Palaces. Step 4: Compare this with the options and eliminate Jaipur, Gwalior and Udaipur based on their better known nicknames. Step 5: Conclude that Kolkata is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Travel guides, city history books and exam preparation materials frequently refer to Kolkata as the City of Palaces, highlighting colonial structures along Chowringhee, Dalhousie Square and various old neighbourhoods. They point out that while newer Indian cities also have palaces, this specific nickname has stuck more strongly to Kolkata, reflecting its mix of colonial government buildings and aristocratic mansions. Jaipur and Udaipur, in contrast, are consistently branded by their colour and lakes respectively in tourism and general knowledge sources.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jaipur: Most widely known as the Pink City because of the distinctive colour of its city walls and buildings in the old quarter.
Gwalior: Famous for its hill fort and palaces, but not commonly named in general GK as the City of Palaces in the same way Kolkata is.
Udaipur: Often called the City of Lakes due to its picturesque lakes like Pichola and Fateh Sagar, not the City of Palaces.

Common Pitfalls:
Because multiple Indian cities have impressive palaces, students may confuse various nicknames or assume that any city with palaces might be the answer. Another pitfall is to forget that nicknames are usually linked to tourism branding and popular culture more than strict architectural counts. A good memory trick is to associate Kolkata's grand colonial mansions and buildings with the idea of many palaces, which justifies the label "City of Palaces".

Final Answer:
In India, the city popularly known as the "City of Palaces" is Kolkata.