Bharatpur Tour Advisor

The city is named after Bharat, the brother of Lord Ram. Although a separate Jat state under the rulership of Badan Singh came into existence for the first time in 1722 AD, the foundation of Bharatpur city was laid in 1733 AD, when Suraj Mal, an adopted son of Badan Singh captured it from Khemkaran, a rival Jat chief. Suraj Mal constructed the big fort and the earthen wall around the city. The Bharatpur Fort, with walls of solid packed mud is surrounded by a deep uncrossable moat. The fort is popularly known as "Loha Garh" or Iron Fort. The strength and invincibility of this humble looking fort of mud wall were tested by the British in the memorable siege of Bharatpur in 1805. Lord Lake's forces, which included field artillery, a siege-train of six 18-pounders and 8 mortars together with three companies of pioneers and engineers, sieged the Bharatpur Fort. The Fort did not look formidable to the attacking forces. Batteries were opened in January. Four assaults were made, the first on January 9, the second on January 21, the third on February 20, and fourth on February 21, and all failed miserable.
The British lost 3203 men in action with the besieging guns, and incressant firing. The British had to lift the siege and were eventually obliged to make peace with the ruler of Bharatpur. It was later captured by the British troops in 1826 AD. The Historical masonry stone fort, having high walls and surrounded by very wide and deep moat; stands in the north western part of the city. The fort has two gates; the gate towards the south is called Chowbhurja and the other facing the north is called Ashtdhatu gate (eight mettalled gate). A number of buildings and palaces are located inside the fort. One of the palaces known as Kamrakhas with a big durbar hall is a place for tourist interest. Jawahar Burj is a Victory Tower and was erected in the year 1765 AD, to celebrate the victory over the imperial city of Delhi. Remnants of the old mud wall, the moats surrounding the fort and the eight bastions that once provided the strength to the fort, are still there. Other buildings of tourist interest in the city include Laxman temple, Gana temple and Moti Mahal.

Lohagarh (Iron Fort): Underrated by most visitors to Bharatpur who head for its National Park and Bird Sanctuary, the fort held by the Jat rulers of this state has bastions of sand that were strong enough to absorb the impact of canonshells that simply embedded themselves within it. Impregnable to most attacks, this 18th century fort was ordered by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the founder of the dynasty at Bharatpur. Lohagarh is located in the heart of the old city. And its entrance is from a crowded street that leads through the massive entrance gate into what is a living fort with several modern additions. However, the part of the fort that has been preserved consists of sprawling palace complex since it combines Rajput and Mughal architecture with Jat influences in building style, a few of eight original towers of which Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj are of particular interest, and floors laid with tiles.

Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj: A few of the eight imposing towers still stand erect within the glorious ramparts of the Fort. Especially two of them - Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj are of special interest. These were build by Maharaja Suraj Mal to commemorate his victories over the Mughals and British respectively. The coronation ceremony of the Jat rulers of Bharatpur was also held at the Jawahar Burj.

The Palace: This Royal edifice is a fusion of the Mughal and Rajput architectural styles with magnificent apartments and intricately designed floor tiles having interesting patterns. Once can marvel at the ancient exhibits displayed in the museum in the central part of the palace.

Keoladeo National Park: The natural shallow depressions near the city of Bharatpur when temporarily filled with rain water provided an aquatic habitat and attracted water birds till they dried up. The credit of converting this area into a world famous wildfowl reserve goes to Prince Bhamji of Morvi State in Gujarat. He was appointed as a Regent of Bharatpur State towards the end of the nineteenth century. A number of bunds, dykes and embankments were built and provided with sluice gates to regulate the water in the water bodies so created. These were filled up by releasing water from Ajan Bund, a ten kilometer long flood control weir, built some 250 years ago. Duck shoots were organized in the area every year by the rulers of Bharatpur in honour of British and Indian dignitaries. First shoot was organized in honour of the Viceroy Lord Curzon and his party on 1st December, 1902. The exploits of all visiting dignitaries since 1902 have been engraved on stone plaques standing near the Keoladeo temple. Largest number of birds were killed on 12th November, 1938, by Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy & Governor General of India and his party. After independence of the country this reserve was notified as a bird sanctuary but the former rulers of Bharatpur continued to enjoy the shooting rights over the area till 1972. The area was notified as National Park in 1981. However, the notification could be made effective only in November 1982.

This complex eco-system of shallow fresh water swamps, dry savanna grass land and woodlands, supports a vast variety and abundance of wildlife. Over 370 species of birds belonging to 56 families have been identified in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Around 130 species of birds nest within the park itself. Every year, the arrival of the monsoon marks the beginning of nesting activity in these marshes. In the years of normal rainfall, between ten to twenty thousand nests are built, by storks, egrets, herons, ibises, darters, cormorants and spoonbills, in a short span of about one and half month, on the Acacia trees planted in the marshes. The composition and complexion of nesting colonies change with each passing day. Observing the behaviors of birds during this period is a fascinating experience. Experts consider it as one of the best heronary of the world. Winter migrants starts arriving in the park form September onwards. Pintail, shoveller, gadwall, wigeon, poachards and geese arrive in the large numbers.

The non-aquatic eco-system of the park is also rich in wildlife. It also provides a habitat suitable for land birds. Mammals like deers, antelopes, wild boar, cats, jackals and hyena, etc. and reptiles like the pythons and monitor lizards are common. The park is open to the visitors throughout the year, but it is more rewarding to visit it between August to March. The best way to see the park is, of course, is a bicycle or a cycle rickshaw. They are available on hire. Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park management in bird watching and are quite knowledgeable. Boats are also available on hire. A boat trip early in the morning or late evening is quite rewarding experience.