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Entrance of Bird Sanctuary |
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Water Bodies of Bird Sanctuary |
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Saras Cranes |
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Ganga Mata Temple, Bharatpur |
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Mosque, Bharatpur |
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Water Palaces of Deeg |
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.
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PLACES OF INTEREST ARE:
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.
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MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES:
Government Museum: Located in the center of the famous
Lohagarh Fort, the Bharatpur Museum houses a rich collection of
archaeological wealth of the nearby areas as well as from the old
Bharatpur State. The huge palatial building Kachahari Kalan, once
the administrative block of the rulers of Bharatpur State, was
converted into a museum in 1944 AD later on, Kamra Khas (personal
chamber) building on the first floor was added to the museum. It
exhibits sculptures found during the excavation of old villages
e.g. Noh, Mallah, Bareh, Bayana etc. ranging from the Kushan
period (1st centaury AD) to 19th Century AD. Weapons used in
battles in the medieval period by the Jat rulers, paintings,
manuscripts, zoological specimens, local art and craft and carving
on sandal wood and ivory etc. offer a glimpse into the Glory that
was once Bharatpur.
The Art Gallery of the museum has specimens of miniature paintings
on leaves of the peepal tree, mica and old lithopapers alongwith
the paintings of the Maharajas of Bharatpur. On the upper story
one section consists of various types of guns & miniature canons
used during 18th century AD called "Chaddre". These miniature
canons-two sets of eleven each, were used by Maharaja Sawai
Jawahar Singh in the battle while passing through the Jaipur
territory on his return from a pilgrimage to Pushkar.
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EXCURSIONS:
Deeg: Located 34 kms from Bharatpur is the ancient town of
Deeg. It finds mention in Skanda Purana as Dirgha or Dirghapura.
The place is now known for its famous water palaces, gardens and
fountains. The famous old fortress of Deeg, which contributed
substantially in the making of the Jat Principality, is now in
shambles. Its formidable cannons now lie abandoned in the forlorn
for. Deeg was the first capital of the newly carved out Jat State,
when Badan Singh was proclaimed its ruler in 1722. the royal
palace, built by Badan Singh, on the southern side of the garden
is now called as Purana Mahal or the old palace. Deeg, because of
its strategic location and proximity to Mathura and Agra was
vulnerable to repeated attacks by invaders. In 1730, the Crown
Prince Surajmal is reported to have erected the strong fortress
with towering walls, bastions, a deep moat & high ramparts about
20 feed wide, in the southern portion of the town. Although
Surajmal shifted his capital to Bharatpur, his liking for Deeg did
not diminish. He built elegant Bhawans clustered around a garden
complex, with fountains in the front & enormous water bodies in
the rear. The entire complex of palaces & gardens is a marvel of
engineering skill. The elegance of design and perfection of
workmanship of these palaces is not seen elsewhere in India. The
palaces form a quadrangle, in the center of which is a garden, an
oblong space of 145 meters by 107 meters, laid out with flower
beds and fountains. To the east & west are large masonry tanks,
with another garden on the other side of the western tank beyond
the buildings, forming the quadrangle.
The building to the north is called the Nand Bhawan. The main
building on the west is called Gopal Bhaan and is the largest of
all Palaces. On either side of the Gopal Bhawan are two smaller
buildings, called the Sawan and Bhadon Bhawans. These buildings
including the Gopal Bhawan command a view of the western tank and
gardens beyond it. These three palaces, although single storey in
the front, have in addition two more floors at the bank. One of
the storeys of these palaces is either partially or wholly
submerged in water throughout the year. On the southern side of
the quadrangle are two palaces facing north. Once of them, Suraj
Bhawan, is built entirely of marble and is tastefully ornamented
with stones of different colours. The other palace, built of grey
sandstone, is called the Kishan Bhawan. On the roof of this palace
is a large water reservoir which feeds the fountains spread all
over the garden. The reservoir was filled with water from two
large wells. The engineering skill of this foof to hild such an
enormous quantity of water has no parallel anywhere. James
Fergusson in his History of Indian and Eastern Architecture says
that the Deeg palaces have been built on a perfectly level plain
and laid out with a regularity that would satisfy the most
fastidious renaissance architect. The palaces lack the massive
character of the fortified palaces of Rajput States but in
grandeur of conception and beauty of details, they surpass them
all. These bhawans are built along the four sides of Garden. The
Jat rulers of Deef and Bharatpur were influenced by the grandeur
of the Mughal courts of Agra and Delhi. They were keen on making
their palace better or at least equal to them. They brought all
item like gates, stone slabs, beams etc. from Mughal areas and
used them in the construction or decoration of the Palaces. A fine
marble swing was brought here as a war trophy by Raja Surajmal
from the Mughal court of Delhi. Similarly, the black marble throne
installed in front of Gopal Bhawan is a trophy brought by Maharaja
Jawahar Singh, who in 1764 AD secured it on his victory over
Delhi.
Bayana: Bayana is located in a small plan, between two
hills ranges running more or less parallel to each other near the
left bank of the Gambhiri River, in the district of Bharatpur, 36
kms. from Bharatpur. The ancient name of Bayana was Sripatha or
Sriprashtha. It is a curious mixture of Hindu and Mohammedan
relics. Ruled by stalwarts like Mohammad Ghori, Sikandar Lodhi and
Humayun, Bayana held a special place in history. According to Abul
Gazal 'this town is the burial place of many illustrious men'. It
can be adjudged that various important battles where fought here.
Ain-e-Akbari mentions that in former times Bayana was the capital
of a province of which Agra was merely a dependant village.
The most visited site in Bayana is the famous Bijaigarh Fort which
was built by Jadon Raja Bijai Pal in 1040 AD. The Bijaigarh Fort
contains several old temples and a red sandstone pillar bearing an
inscription of Vishnuvardham a feudatory of Samudragupta. The fort
was described as one of the most famous forts in India by Babur
himself. Besided this there is a monolithic sandstone pillar, a
curious combination of Hindu and Mohammedan style, which bears may
inscriptions. One also gets to see an old Usha Temple, which was
built during the reign of Raja Laxman Sen, by his wife.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS:
Brij Festival: The Brij Festival takes place a few days
before Holi, the festival of colours. Held in honour of Lord
Krishna, this festival is marked by verve and zest. Villagers, in
gay, multihued attire, can be seen singing and performing the
Raslila dance - the immortal love-story of Radha and Krishna. All
of Bharatpur comes alive to the sound of folk melodies on this
festival held on the eve of Holi. Men and Women, young and old,
rich and poor - all are touched by the spirit of this festival.
Boisterous revelers spare no one during this festival and delight
in splashing colour on everyone around. |
