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Bharatpur Travel Guide
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.
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.
Keoladeo National Park
A paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers, it was
known as the best duck shooting resort in the British empire. But was declared
a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to National Park. UNESCO has
listed it as a world heritage site. The geographical location is ideal as it
is on the main North-South avian route of India. Although small in size, 29
sq km. Only, it boasts to house more than 375 species of beautiful birds, and
more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo Ghana National Park and nearly
every year new ones are added to the list.
The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places like Europe,
Siberia, China and Tibet Before monsoons hundreds of these exotic birds roost
and nest building activities start on the babool and kadam trees of the park.
Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts filling the various ponds and lakes
of the Park.
When assured of enough food, hundreds of large, medium and little cormorant,
darter, purple and grey heron, various species of egret, painted, open-billed,
white necked and black necket stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron and
other birds get busy in courting and mating. The trees are overflooded with
nest, one can observe a tree housing nests upto fifties and sixties in number
belongign to different species of birds looking after theri loving young onces.
The nests on the trees look like pearl necklaces. Gracious Saras cranes, the
tallest flight birds nest in exposed and open area, both partners share the
duty of hatching, while changing incubaating duties, they come together, raise
their neck and give out shrill trumpetic calls in unison and at the same time
fan their feathers.
The newly born chicks are only 10cm. in size but grows upto one metre in height
within a year. As the monsoons arrive birds from every part of the country start
pouring into the park. Migratory water-fowls, including the pride of Keoladeo
Siberian Cranes form the indispensable part of Park. The water-fowls visit the
park in millions during the month of October. Rosy starling marks the beginning
of the arrival of migratory birds. The most noticeable water-fowl coming to
the park are barheaded and greyleg geese.
The ducks spotted here are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon,
shoveler, commong shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc. predatory birds
like imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eage, spotted eargle, marsh harrier and
laggar falcon are attracted towards the park completing the avian food chain
of the ecosystem. Some of them like short toed eagle, lesser spotted eagle and
shikra are the residents of Park. About 11 sq. km.
Area of the park is covered with water the remaining portion is rich with Kingfisher,
Red Vented and white cheeked Bulbuls, Babblers, Quails, Partridges,Sunbirds,
Sparrows, Parakeets and orioles which live in bushes and burrows. The year round
activity of the winged beauties has made the park a pilgrimage for bird lovers
and an ornithologists delight. The animal populace also show their presence
although they are thoroughly dominated by feathers, wings and beaks. The animals
include the Black Buck, Sambhar - the largest Indian Antelope, Spotted deer,
and Nilgais.
Pythons can also be observed at some places lazing in the sun. Vehicles are
only permitted upto Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra Van of forest
department can be engaged in the sanctuary, although the best way to explore
the park is on foot or bicycles which are available on hire. Cycle rickshaws
can also be hired.
Bharatpur Travel Guide, Rajasthan Travel Guide
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