Bharatpur

Introducing Bharatpur

Bharatpur is home to the World Heritage–listed Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the world’s prime bird-breeding and feeding grounds. This peaceful sanctuary is hard-core twitcher (bird-watcher) territory, and boasts a whopping 364 species within its 29-sq-km marshlands, including many threatened aquatic birds on migratory routes from Central Asia.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Bharatpur was an important stronghold of the Jats, who retained their autonomy through their prowess in battle and marriage alliances with Rajput nobility. They successfully opposed the Mughals on several occasions, and their 18th-century fort here withstood an attack by the British in 1805 and a long siege in 1825. This siege led to the signing of the first treaty of friendship between the northwest Indian states and the East India Company. The Jat influence and the town’s position next to the border with Uttar Pradesh means that it resembles the towns in the neighbouring state rather than those in Rajasthan.

The fort’s sturdy defences remain, but Bharatpur itself has lost its charm.

Bring mosquito repellent.

Last updated: Mar 24, 2009