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 kilometres from Agra and 176 kilometres 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 this
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.
The walled city of Bharatpur has typical medieval period and characterizes the
security concern of that period. The walled city is irregular in shape and elongated
in the northeast to southwest direction. The street pattern in the walled city
is curvilinear typical of medieval townships. Religious building like the Ganga
Mandir, Laxman Mandir and Jama Masjid are located on the town central spine
between Mathura Gate and Kumher Gate. The hotels are mainly located in a cluster
near the Park in the south of the town. The Keoladeo Ghanna National Park is
about 5 kilometres from the town and approachable by cycle rickshaw. Only cycle
rickshaws are permitted inside the park for maintaining ecological harmony.
Bharatpur - The Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan, was founded by Maharaja
Suraj Mal in 1733 AD, it was once an impregnable well fortified city, carved
out of the region formerly known as Mewat. The trio of Bharatpur, Deeg and Dholpur
has played an important part in the history of Rajasthan.
The legends say that the place was named as Bharatpur after the name of Bharat,
the brother of Lord Rama, whose other brother Laxman was worshipped as the
family deity of the Bharatpur rulers, Laxman's name is engraved onthe state
arms and the seals. The city and the fort have been believed to be founded
by Rustam, a Jat of Sogariya clan. Maharaja Surajmal took over from Khemkaran,
the son of Rustam and established the empire. He fortified the city by building
a massive wall around the city.
The interesting aspect of the Bharatpur history is the domination of Jats
in the region since 17th century, leader like Churaman and Badan Singh brought
the Jats together to mould them into a force to reckon with. Suraj Mal has
been the greatest ruler who made them a formidable force and played a very
important role in the Indian history during 19th century.
Today Bharatpur is better known for the Keoladeo Natinal Park, a unique bird
place, delight of ornithologists.
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