Bharatpur

India City: Bharatpur
	Main Languages : Rajasthani, Hindi. Telephone area code : 05644 Best time to visit : October to March A 56 km journey by road from Agra drives you to the town of Bharatpur the eastern gateway to Rajasthan. Bharatpur is famous of its World Heritage listed bird sanctuary the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. In the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Bharatpur was an important Jat stronghold. Before this arrival of Rajputs, the Jats inhabited this area. They successfully opposed the Mughals on more than one occasion on their fort at Bharatpur, constructed in 18^th century, withstood an attack by the British in 1805 and a long siege in 1925. Keoladeo Ghana National Park Once the royal hunting preserve of the princes of Bharatpur, it is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world inundated with over 400 species of water birds. Exotic migratory birds from Afghanistan, Central Asia, Tibet as well as Siberian cranes from the Arctic, greyleg geese from China are spotted here. Lohagarh Fort The massive iron structure was built in 18^th century. The fort was conceived and designed by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the founder of Bharatpur. With its impregnable defences it sustained itself after a number of British attacks. The fort has three palaces Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas and Kothi Khas. A few of the eight imposing towers still stand erect within the glorious ramparts of the fort. Especially the two of them Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj which were built by Maharaja Suraj Mal to commemorate his victories over the Mughals and British respectively. The fort also houses a museum which has a rich collection of artefacts, exquisitely carved sculptures and ancient inscriptions. 36 kms from Bharatpur, Deeg is a small town with massive fortifications and stunningly beautiful palae. Built by Maharaja Suraj Mal in the mid 18^th century a summer retreat, Deeg was also a site of a famous battle in which the Maharaja's forces successfully withstood a combined Mughal and Maratha army of 80,000 men. Suraj Mal's Palace, Gopal Bhawan is built in a combination of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles and is one of India's most beautiful and delicately proportioned buildings. How To Reach Nearest airport is Agra (56 kms). By Well connected by trains from Delhi , Jaipur & Mumbai. 56 kms (01 hr drive) from Agra .