Bharatpur, the birders' paradise

 Bharatpur was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733 and was once the capital of the Jat kingdom ruled by the Sinsinwar Maharajas. In fact, this land of the Jats has its own historical significance and tells many tales of bravery against the attacks of the Mughals and the British.

Bharatpur, the birders' paradise It is not the beauty or the variety, but the sheer size of the region and the ease with which the birds have accepted this meagre offering from us humans that makes Bharatpur and its environs a visitor's paradise. It was customary to organise duck hunts almost every year in honour of the Viceroy Lord Curzon. Bharatpur used to be one of the most important princely states, situated on the edge of the Thar Desert.

The marshy land has always been a good place for birds and animals in search of water to quench their parched lips and throats. The best thing about Bharatpur is its location, which is very accessible to tourists from many states. The area is part of the desert with extreme climatic conditions.

The area is also famous for its forts, palaces and Mughal and Rajput architecture visible almost everywhere. The land, its people and architecture tell an unrelenting story of these warriors who survived and flourished in these hostile conditions.