Bharatpur
Bharatpur is situated in the Bharatpur district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharajah Suraj Mal in 1733, Bharatpur is regarded as the ‘Eastern Gateway’ to Rajasthan, North India and is known for its famous Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary which is the finest in Asia. This National Park is situated at the border between the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Created by the Maharajah of Bharatpur in the nineteenth century, Keoladeo was started as a shooting preserve, but was elevated to the status of a bird sanctuary in 1956 and upgraded to a national park in 1982 and is now a World Heritage site. The birdlife here includes several species of cormorants, egrets, pelicans, ibises, ducks and geese. Over 350 species of birds, migratory as well as local, inhabit the park. A distinguished annual visitor to the park is the rare Siberian crane. Keoladeo houses a wide variety of mammals and reptiles too.
Bharatpur has its share of forts and palaces like any other historically important place in Rajasthan. The Lohagarh Fort or Iron Fort built by Maharajah Suraj Mal is impregnable, and had successfully withstood the repeated attacks of British forces. The fort has a massive entrance gate called Astdhatu Gate, referring to the spikes on the gate made of eight different metals. The Government Museum, located in the premises of the fort, is a treasure house of exhibits from the Kushan period to the 19th century. Medieval weapons, paintings, manuscripts, and exquisitely carved sculptures are on display here.
Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj are two lofty towers erected by Maharajah Suraj Mal to commemorate his victory over the Mughals and the British. The Bharatpur palace, which is a superb blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture is a ‘must see’ place, the central wing of which houses a museum with objects of art from the second century A.D.
Just 32 kms travel from Bharatpur is Deeg, the former second capital and summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur. There are a number of forts, palaces and gardens dotting the area which are magnificent reminders of a bygone era. The massive Deeg Palace with its impressive towers standing tall is makes a visit a Deeg an important item in the travel itinerary. A visit to India would be incomplete without a trip to Rajasthan and its magnificent cities.
Created by the Maharajah of Bharatpur in the nineteenth century, Keoladeo was started as a shooting preserve, but was elevated to the status of a bird sanctuary in 1956 and upgraded to a national park in 1982 and is now a World Heritage site. The birdlife here includes several species of cormorants, egrets, pelicans, ibises, ducks and geese. Over 350 species of birds, migratory as well as local, inhabit the park. A distinguished annual visitor to the park is the rare Siberian crane. Keoladeo houses a wide variety of mammals and reptiles too.
Bharatpur has its share of forts and palaces like any other historically important place in Rajasthan. The Lohagarh Fort or Iron Fort built by Maharajah Suraj Mal is impregnable, and had successfully withstood the repeated attacks of British forces. The fort has a massive entrance gate called Astdhatu Gate, referring to the spikes on the gate made of eight different metals. The Government Museum, located in the premises of the fort, is a treasure house of exhibits from the Kushan period to the 19th century. Medieval weapons, paintings, manuscripts, and exquisitely carved sculptures are on display here.
Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj are two lofty towers erected by Maharajah Suraj Mal to commemorate his victory over the Mughals and the British. The Bharatpur palace, which is a superb blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture is a ‘must see’ place, the central wing of which houses a museum with objects of art from the second century A.D.
Just 32 kms travel from Bharatpur is Deeg, the former second capital and summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur. There are a number of forts, palaces and gardens dotting the area which are magnificent reminders of a bygone era. The massive Deeg Palace with its impressive towers standing tall is makes a visit a Deeg an important item in the travel itinerary. A visit to India would be incomplete without a trip to Rajasthan and its magnificent cities.
