Bharatpur
Travel Guide
Bharatpur - The 'Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan',
was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733 AD, it was once an impregnable well
fortified city, carved out of the region formerly known as Mewat. The trio of
Bharatpur, Deeg and Dholpur has played an important part in the history of Rajasthan.
The
place was named as Bharatpur after the name of Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama,
whose other brother Laxman was worshipped as the family deity of the Bharatpur.
The legends say the rulers Laxman's name is engraved on the state arms
and the seals. The city and the fort have been believed to be founded by Rustam,
a Jat of Sogariya clan. Maharaja Suraj Mal took over from Khemkaran, the son of
Rustam, and established the empire. He fortified the city by building a massive
wall around the city.
The interesting aspect of the Bharatpur history is
the domination of Jats in the region since 17th century. Leaders like Churaman
and Badan Singh brought the jats together to mould them into a force to reckon
with. Suraj Mal has been the greatest ruler who made them a formidable force and
played a very important role in the Indian history during 19th century.
The
55 km journey by road from Agra drives you to the town of Bharatpur-the eastern
gateway to Rajasthan. Bharatpur is popular for its bird sanctuary-the Keoladeo
Ghana National Park - finest in Asia rich avian variety.
Every year the
rare Siberian cranes come to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Bharatpur.Of
the remnants of the royal past remains the marvellous Bharatpur Palace housing
a rich repository of a large number of ancient exhibit that date back to the early
15th century.
Places to Visit Lohagarh
Fort The massive iron structure built in the early 18th century. With
its impregnable defences it sustained itself even after a number of British attacks.The
fort was conceived and designed by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the founder of Bharatpur.
The fort has three palaces within its precincts - Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas and
Kothi Khas. Government.
Museum A rich collection of artefacts,
exquisitely carved sculptures and ancient inscriptions can be admired in the Government
Museum located in the Palaces. All these items speak volumes about the rich heritage,
art and crafts of the region.
The Palace This royal edifice
is a fusion of the Mughal and Rajpat architectural styles with magnificent apartments
and intricately designed floor tiles having interesting patterns. One can marvel
at the ancient exhibits displayed in the museum in the centeral part of the palace.
Keoladeo
National ParkOnce the royal hunting preserve of the princes of Bharatpur,
it is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world inundated with over 400
species of water birds. Exotic migratory birds from Afghanistan, central .Asia,
Tibet as well as Siberian cranes from the arctic, greyleg geese from Siberia and
bareheaded geese from China , come here in July/Aug to spend the winters in warmer
climate and they breed till Oct/Nov.Colonies of cormorants, spoonbills , storks,
egrets, herons, pelicans, ebis and grey herons can be spotted all over the park.
The raised paths camouflaged by babul trees make their viewing easier.
