Bharatpur is a city founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. Located in the Mewar region, Bharatpur was once an impregnable, well-fortified city and the capital of a kingdom ruled by the Jat dynasty. It is located around 50 km west of Agra.

History

The Jats though simple farmers, established their presence in this region much before the Rajput dominance. Under the guidance of rulers like Badan Singh and Suraj Mal, they extended their dominion much further than the original kingdom. The striking palace and picturesque gardens at Deeg and the imposing Bharatpur Fort were built by Suraj Mal and are symbolic of the might of the Jats and their prowess in warfare.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park (formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

The Keoladeo National Park is world-renowned for the vast variety of birds and is the foremost spot in the Bharatpur travel guide. The luxuriant foliage and the incredible sight of rare and gorgeous birds is an unforgettable experience. It is one of the best-managed wildlife parks and offers the visitor an array of delights. The Siberian cranes fly to this sanctuary every winter, to enjoy the warmer climate. Keoladeo is a World Heritage Site and indisputably one of the most important bird-feeding and breeding grounds in the world. It is spread over an area of 29 sq km, with more than 350 species of birds.

Other Attractions

Built in the 18th century by Raja Suraj Mal, the Lohagarh (the iron fort) was practically impregnable. Its amazing defence systems were said to have been taken from a description in the Ramayana, the Hindu epic. Of the remnants of the royal past, there is the marvellous Bharatpur Palace housing a rich repository of ancient exhibits that date back to the early 15th century and thus is a major tourist attraction in Bharatpur. One of the unique forts in Rajasthan is the jungle-fort of Ranthambore. It is built high on a rock cliff and overlooks the jungle. Golabagh Palace was built in the early 1900's and is a blend of various styles of architecture. It is replete with lotus arches, ornate balconies and delicate latticework.

The Government Museum of Bharatpur contains a varied collection of artefacts. These include beautiful sculpture, weapons of war and others.