The eastern gateway to Rajasthan and a popular halting place on the Golden Triangle, Bharatpur is renowned for its World Heritage listed bird sanctuary. Once the hunting estate of the Maharajas, with daily shoots, recorded upto 4,000 birds, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is one of the finest bird sanctuaries, with over 360 species, which even non-ornithologists visit.

Well connected with three most important tourist destinations of India, namely Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, it holds an important place in the Indian history.

HISTORY

It holds an important place in Indian history. The Jats have dominated this region from the 17th century, and Suraj Mal has been the greatest ruler, who made them a formidable force. They successfully opposed the Mughals, on more than one occasion and their fort at Bharatpur withstood an attack by the British in 1805 and a long siege in 1825.

This siege eventually led to the signing of the first treaty of friendship between the Indian states of northwest India and the East India Company. Of the remnants of the royal past, remains the marvelous Bharatpur Palace, housing a rich repository of ancient exhibits dating back to the early 15th century.

CULTURE

Bharatpur is popular for its bird sanctuary - the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. One of the finest in Asia, with a rich avian variety, every year the rare Siberian cranes come to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Bharatpur. Paintings and carpet weaving are the cultural traditions here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Keoladeo National Park: A Bird Sanctuary, ranked as world best one.

LOCATION

Bharatpur lies at the confluence of the Ruparel and Banganga rivers, at an altitude of 250 meters. It is equidistant from both Delhi and Jaipur at 176 km.

By Air

Agra at 55 km is the nearest airport and is connected to Delhi.

By Rail

Regular rail services connect Bharatpur with several cities on Delhi-Mumbai trunk route, Jaipur and Agra. Some important train connections are - Golden Temple Mail (Mumbai-Bharatpur-Jammu-Tawi) Intercity express (Hazrat Nizamuddin-Bharatpur) Paschim Express (New Delhi-Bharatpur-Mumbai).

By Road

Bharatpur is connected to Agra, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The Rajasthan State Roadways connects it to various cities within the state.

CLIMATE

The summers are very hot and dry and the winters can be very cold and foggy, especially in the early morning.

One of the finest sanctuaries in the world, inundated with over 400 species of water birds, it is a paradise for avian world. Renowned for its World Heritage listed bird sanctuary, it was once the hunting estate of the Maharajas, with daily shoots recorded upto 4,000 birds. It was also known, as the best duck shooting resort in the British Empire, but was declared a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to a National Park. The geographical location is ideal, as it is on the main North-South avian route of India. The kingfishers, pelicans, Siberian cranes, open billed storks, painted bill storks, egret, ibis, cormorant, darter or snake bird, spoonbill and the grey herons are some of the exotic species. Plenty of ducks species and predatory birds are attracted towards the park, completing the avian food chain of the ecosystem. Exotic migratory birds come here in July/Aug, to spend the winters in the warmer climate and they breed till Oct/Nov. Vehicles are only permitted unto Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra, of the forest department, can be engaged in the sanctuary.

This small but interesting town is strewn with massive fortifications, stunningly beautiful gardens, magnificent palaces and a colorful bazaar. It is actually more interesting than Bharatpur itself and is an easy day trip, from Agra, Bharatpur and Mathura. Formerly the second capital of Bharatpur, it is the site of a famous battle, in which the Maharajas forces, successfully withstood a combined Mughal and Maratha army of some 80,000 men.

The Lohagarh or the Iron Fort remained invincible to many British attacks. The massive iron structure, built in the early 18th century, is very different from the other forts in the state, as there is no flamboyance associated with this fort but generates an aura of strength and magnificence. Some interesting monuments in the fort are Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas and Kothi Khas. The Government Museum within the fort has a rich collection of antiquities, exquisite sculptures and some ancient inscriptions. These are of immense historical value, and the royal lineage as well as the record of local life of the bygone era, can be traced back.

BHARATPUR GOVERNMENT MUSEUM - A rich collection of artifacts, exquisitely carved sculptures and ancient inscriptions, can be admired in the Government Museum located in the Palace. THE JAWAHAR BHURJ AND FATEH BURJ - These two Burjs were built 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. There is a museum in the main central wing, depicting collections dating back to the 2nd century, which reflect the art and skill of the region.