Bharatpur India

Bharatpur in Rajasthan - An ancient city, Bharatpur along with Deeg had the domination of the Jats as the ruling power - the only one ruled by a dynasty of Jats rather than Rajputs. The Jats basically were peasants but proved to be quite aggressive and successful sovereigns. The erstwhile region of Bharatpur formed part of the Matsya territory in 1500 BC.

The eastern gateway to Rajasthan, Bharatpur, is one of the most popular halting place on the golden triangle Delhi-Agra-Jaipur, best known for the famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park. It hosts one of the most important festivals, Brij Mahotsav, every year on 2-4th February. The later Maharajas of Bharatpur brought the city on the world map for carefully developing bird lands and their spectacular duck shoots they hosted for fellow Maharajas and the British elite. These marshy lands have now been converted into a beautiful national park. The region is also known for the forts and beautiful palaces of the Jat kings.

The Jats led by headman Churaman came to be known for their authority against Mughals, smashing the Mughal strongholds, but ultimately to be killed in the year 1721. Under Raja Badan Singh the Jats regrouped and by 1750, expanded their territory, almost from Delhi to Agra. Fearful of the ruthless marauding powers of Jats, the Mughals conferred the title, of Raja to Badan Singh and the rulers of Amber awarded him the tide of Brij Raj. It was Raja Surajmal, son of Raja Badan Singh, who consolidated further and enriched by the enormous booty his armies had acquired, commenced work on Bharatpur Fort and other palaces including the exquisite palace complex in Deeg.

By 1760's with the authority of the Mughals getting weaker day by day, Raja Surajmal raided the imperial cities of Agra and Delhi more regularly and his armies are believed to have even plundered the gates from the walls of the Mughal capital of Delhi and brought it back in triumph to Bharatpur.

Early 19th century the emerging powers of the Britishers were also resisted and repulsed by the rulers of Bharatpur. Even after a long siege of four months of the Bharatpur Fort the British could not succeed and suffered heavy losses. Finally in 1818, Bharatpur signed a treaty of permanent equal friendship with the East India Company.