Bharatpur:

General Information / History

Sightseeing

Keoladedo National Park
The marshes of Keoladeo, more popularly known as Bharatpur, was the private hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Bharatpur. It was developed in the late 19th century by creating small dams and bunds in an area of natural depression to collect rainwater and by feeding it with an irrigation canal. Over the years, the lakes attracted great numbers of waterfowl and the Maharajas held grand shoots with family, friends and visiting dignitaries. Two-thirds of the park lies under water, the extent and volume depending on the intensity of the rains. It is famous as one of Asia’s finest birding areas, with over 380 resident and migrant species, including the Common, Demoiselle and the rare Siberian Cranes. It is also an excellent place to watch mammals like Golden Jackal, Striped Hyaena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Nilgai, Sambar, Blackbuck and wild Boar.

Best Season to visit
The park is open throughout the year. Best months are August-November for resident breeding birds and November-March for migrant birds.

Excursions

Deeg Fort
he fort stands majestically over a slightly elevated point, built by Raja Duraj Mal. The fort is surrounded by impressive moats, ramparts and gateways , the interiors are mostly in ruins now, but the watch tower still stands in the ruins keeping an eye over the City and Palace: over it is placed a gun captured from Agra fort. Another defunct cannon which was captured from Ahmad Shah Abdali (1761), who seized the fort for six months, guards a vantage point. Accommodation (Deeg) RTDC Midway, Near Bus Stand, Deeg Rooms and Restaurant Facility.

Deeg
(34 km) North of Bharatpur is this beautiful garden town, the gardens have been laid with great care and precision, the sparkling foundtains and meticulous palaces add to the beauty of this idyllic retreat of the princes of Bharatpur. The tourist enjoy the charming settings of this agricultural town, along with the well preserved palace pavilions and gardens.

Dhaulpur
The red sandstone from Dhaulpur is famous throughout the country and was used in the construction of the Red Fort of Delhi. Dhaulpur has witnessed many battles due to its proximity with Agra. Sikandar Lodi plundered it in 1501 AD. , uprooting all its gardens. Babu mentions that it ws surrendered to him in 1526. The oldest Mughal Garden built by Babur was discovered at JHOR 16 kms from Dhaulpur, the grandeur of the garden is still reflected by its ruins. The picturesque tomb of BIBI ZARinA, probabaly the daughter of a local officer is an excellent building. MACH KUND, (5kms) from Dhaulpur, a historical site, has a lake with over hundred temples on its embankment, it bustles with life once a year during the pilgrimage. BARI, is known for the VAN VIHAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. The TALAB-E-SHAHI LAKE,a nd FORT, were built by Firoz Shah in 1286 AD. Excursion points around Dhaulpur are : Damoh Waterfall Kanpur Mahal & Ram Sagar Sanctuary Laswari : Daulat Rao ScIndia was defeated here at the hands of Lord Lake, which was a major land mark in modern Indian History. Dhaulpur although a humble village, it is loaded with fascinating facts and history, and has a marked Mughal influence.