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Indian Heritage............ |
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Bharatpur
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In 1733 AD, Raja Badan Singh 's adopted son, Suraj Mal had shown signs of promise, when he captured the fort of Bharatpur from Khemkaran, the rival chief, whom he killed and thus laid the foundation of Bharatpur City.Maharaja Suraj Mal displayed immense courage and carved a niche for himself in the midst of political disorder. Gathering around him fiercely martial Jat peasants, he went from one success to another. He accompanied Emperor Muhammed Shah against Ali Muhammed Ruhela and in 1748 AD, at the battle of Bagru he led the
Jaipur vanguard against the Marathas.He also defeated the commander-in-chief of the Mughal emperor. Despite being a very religious man he was secular.
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The history of Bharatpur dates back to the epic age, when the Matsya Kingdom flourished here in the 5th century BC The matsya were allies of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. According to tradition the name of Bharatpur is traced to Bharat, the brother of lord Rama of Ayodhya whose other brother Laxman was given thehigh place of family deity of the ruling family of Bharatpur. His name also appears in the state seals and coat-of-arms.
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Bharatpur, which is also called the Eastern gateway of Rajasthan, was found by Maharaja Suraj mal in 1733 AD. Raja Badan Singh’s adopted son, Suraj Mal had shown signs of promise, when he captured the fort of Bharatpur from Khemkaran, the rival chief, whom he killed and thus laid the foundation of Bharatpur City. Maharaja Suraj Mal displayed immense courage and carved a niche for himself in the midst of political disorder. Gathering around him fiercely martial Jat peasants, he went from one success to another. He accompanied Emperor Mohammed Shah against Ali Mohammed Ruhela and in 1748 AD, at the battle of Bagru he led the Jaipur vanguard against the Marathas. He also defeated the commander- in –Chief of the Mughal emperor.
He built numerous forts and palaces across the kingdom including the Pleasure Palace complex at Deeg. Bharatpur, is today known the world – over for its Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
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SIGHT SEEING
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As the monsoon arrives, birds from every part of the country start flying into the Park. Migratory waterfowls, including the pride of Keoladeo – the Siberian Cranes, form an interesting species found in the Park. These waterfowls visit the Park in hordes during the month of October. The rosy starling marks the beginning of the arrival of migratory birds.
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The most noticeable waterfowls coming to the Park are the bar- headed and greylag geese. The ducks spotted here are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon, shoveler, common shelduck, redcrested pochard, gadwall etc. Predatory birds like the imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eagle, spotted eagle, marsh harrier and laggar falcon are attracted towards the Park, completing the avian food chain of the ecosystem. Some of them, like the short – toed eagle lesser spotted eagle and shikra, are the residents of the Park.
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Saras cranes, the tallest flight birds, nest in exposed and open areas; both partners share the duty of hatching; while changing incubating duties, they come together, raise their neck and give out shrill trumpeting calls in unison, fanning their feathers at the same time .The newborn chicks are only 10 cm. in size but grow up to one metre in height within a year. |
As the monsoon arrives, birds from every part of the country start flying into the Park. Migratory waterfowls, including the pride of Keoladeo - the Siberian Cranes, form an interesting species found in the Park. These waterfowls visit the Park in hordes during the month of October. The rosy starling marks the beginning of the arrival of migratory birds. |
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The most noticeable waterfowls coming to the Park are the bar-headed and greylag geese. The ducks spotted here are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon, shoveler, common shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc. Predatory birds like the imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eagle, spotted eagle, marsh harrier and laggar fatcon are attracted towards the Park, completing the avian food chain of the ecosystem. Some of them, like the short-toed eagle, lesser spotted eagle and shikra, are the residents of the Park.
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About 11 sq. kms of the Park is covered by water; the remaining portion is rich in birds like the kingfisher, red vented and white-cheeked bulbuls, babblers, quails, partridges, sunbirds, sparrows, parakeets and orioles, which live in bushes and burrows. These winged beauties carry on their activities all the year round, thus making this Park a pilgrimage for bird lovers and an ornithologist's delight.
Animals like the black buck, sambar-the largest Indian antelope, spotted deer, and nilgais also show their presence here, though they are greatly outnumbered by the winged fraternity. |
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 the Forest Department in the Sanctuary can be engaged, although the best way to explore the Park is on foot, bicycle or cycle rickshaws which are available on hire.
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SIGHT SEEING
LOHAGARH FORT OR THE ‘IRON FORT’
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Conceived and designed to last for years-Lohagarh Fort, true to its name, stood solidly against many attacks by the British, frustrating them to no end. It faced the British onslaught four times and after a long siege they had to withdraw, but Lord Lake’s Bharatpur for the British.
It is very different from the other forts in the State. There is no flamboyance associated with this fort, but it radiates an aura of strength and magnificence.
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The fort is surrounded by a moat, which was filled with water to ward off the enemy attacks. Sandy battlements strengthened the sandy ramparts, thus the enemy guns proved of no avail. Some interesting monuments in the fort are Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas, Moti Mahal and Kothi Khas. Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj, inside the fort, were built by Suraj Mal to commemorate the victories over the Mughals and the British. The Ashtadhatu (eight-metal) gateway has paintings of huge elephants. |
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