Bharatpur
is well-known for it world heritage listed bird sanctuary Keoladeo
Ghanna National Park. This is one of the few places in the world
where you can hope to sight hundred of different species of birds
in just a few days. Over 400 species different birds have been identified
in the park and you see them all over the place. Many tourists travelling
to this destination have rate it as the highlight of their visit.
It is just 55 kilometers from Agra and 176 kilometers from Jaipur.
The history of Bharatpur goes back to the epic age of Mahabharta
when the Matsya kingdom flourished in the 5th
century BC. Some archaeological remains of thi
period can be seen in the Bharatpur Museum. The city is supposed
to be named after Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama. Bharatpur was
the stronghold of the Jats in the 17th and 18th century.
They
maintained considerable autonomy though they were allied to the
Mughals; this was largely due to their prowess in the battle and
their marriage alliances with the Rajputs. Their fort in Bharatpur
even withstood attacks from the British in 1805 and 1825 but later
they signed a treaty of friendship with the East India Company.
It merged with the union of India at independence.
» Keoladeo
Ghana National Park
This magnificent bird haven in actual came into being paradoxically
as a duck shooting preserve for Maharaja Suraj Mull of Bharatpur.
He transformed the shallow depression formed by the confluence
of River Gambhir and River Banganga into a reservoir by damming
the rainwater in monsoons. Flooding of water created shallow wetland
ecosystem causing it to be a perfect habitat for an astounding
variety of birds. The park that was a hunting preserve for the
Maharaja and the British continued to be so till 1964, after which
the hunting was banned
» Lohagarh
Fort
The
massive iron fort structure built in the early 18th century. With
its impregnable defences its 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, Kothi Khas.
»
The Palace
This
royal edifice is a fusion of the Mughal and Rajput architectural
styles with magnificent apartments and intricately designed floors
tiles having interesting patterns. One can marvel at the ancient
exhibits displayed in the museum in the central part of the palace.
» How
to reach Bharathpur
By
Air : Nearest airport Agra (54 kms) fromBharatpur, Agra has daily
flights for Delhi,Bombay,Varanasi (via Khajuraho) and Lucknow
By Rail : Bharatpur is on the main Delhi - Bombay line with regular
connections to Mathura, Sawai Madhopur and Kota on the same route.
It is also connected with Agra
By Road : Bharatpur is well connected by road with Agra, Mathura,
Delhi and Jaipur. Regular bus services operate for all major cities.
