Tourist Destinations of Rajasthan

Bharatpur Excursions

Dholpur

This old historic city of Dholpur was initially named "Dhawalpuri" after the ruler Dhawal Deo who built the city at a site, little south of the present city. Later people started calling it Dholpur. In 846 AD, it was ruled by a Chauhan family, apparently as a feudatory of Kannauj. Dholpur was a small state but it had a very turbulent history.

Its strategic location on the main route from Kabul and Delhi to Deccan and its proximity to cities like Gwalior, Agra and Bayana attracted attention of almost all powerful kings and rulers of Delhi and Agra. Though the rulers of Dholpur resisted the invasions with valour, it was, time and again, occupied by the invading forces and suffered plunder and devastation. Sikander Lodi attacked and occupied Dholpur in 1501 AD. His forces plundered the city and even uprooted all the gardens that shaded Dholpur. It was again invaded by Babar in 1526 AD. During Humayun¿s regime, the site of Dholpur town was moved northwards to avoid erosion by the river Chambal.

It was near Dholpur that two important Mughul wars of succession were fought. When Shah Jahan fell ill, his eldest and most beloved son, Dara Shikoh, was defeated by his younger brother, Aurangzeb, in 1658 AD at Ran-ka-Chabutra, 5 kms (3 miles) east of Dholpur. Again, after Aurangzeb¿s death in 1707 AD, his sons, Azam and Muazzam, fought a war of succession at Baretha.

Prime Attractions of Dholpur
Laswari
It is here where Daulat Rao Scindia was defeated at the hands of Lord Lake. The oldest Mughal garden, built by Babur was dicovered at Jhor, the grandeur of which is still reflected in by its ruins. Damoh Waterfall and Kanpur Mahal are some of the places not to be missed.

Muchchhkund
Ahout 8 kms. from the town of Dholpur is an ancient sacred place called Muchchhkund. It commands a picturesque view. The place is named after Raja Muchchhkund. Raja Muchchhkund, the twenty fourth king of the Suryavanshi Dynasty (the solar race) is said to have reigned nineteen generations before Lord Ram. According to legend Raja Muchchhkund, was sleeping here when a demon Kaal Yaman while pursuing Lord Krishna, accidentally woke him up. The demon Kaal Yaman was burnt to ashes because of a divine blessing to Raja Muchchhkund. It is now a sacred place for pilgrim. It is said that the enclosures around it were built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Shergarh Fort
It is an old fort of historic importance, located towards the south of Dholpur town. This monument at Dholpur was built by Sher Shah Suri on the site of an earlier Hindu fortress.

Talab Shahi
About 40 kms. from Dholpur is a picturesque and historic lake called Talab Shahi. The lake and the palace were built in 1617 A.D. as a shooting lodge for Prince Shahjahan. A palace and the lake were later maintained by the rulers of Dholpur. The lake attracts a large number of winter migratory fowls like Pintail, Shoveller, Red Crested Pochard, Comnion Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Teal, Garganey Teal, Wigeon and Gadwall.

The Khanpur Mahal
It was constructed as a pleasure- palace for Shah Jahan.  The Shiva Temple
Another place of architectural beauty and importance is an ancient temple of lord Shiva. This temple is located near the Gwalior- Agra road and is worth a visit.

Bharatpur Travel Map