About Dholpur

Dholpur, according to the Epics, was originally known as Dhawalgiri, later on Dhaulagir, and now as Dholpur. Before the battle of Mahabharat this whole area was under the Yadavs who later called Yaduvanshi Rajputs whose different branches were spread over the whole area from South-west Haryana, North Rajasthan and Western UP extending from the south of the river Chambal. The key to the ancient history of Dholpur is the ruins of strength the fort which is on the bank of river Chambal.

During the second phase of ancient history, , the ruins of Mahabharat period could be seen around the temple of Muchukund ji. Mahabharat reveals that during one of the battles with the devils Krishna came to the spot where Muchukund was sleeping. He put his pitamber on the sleeping Muchukund. The devil thinking him to be Krishna woke him up, and thus the demon was burnt to ashes, and thus the life of Krishna was saved. The event took place, in a mark very near to the Muchukund Ji’s temple, where the ruins of old palaces still exist. The appearance of these, however does not seem to be that old.

The key to the ancient history of Dholpur is the ruins of strength fort which is located on the bank of river Chambal. According to the Modern Review’s Hindi edition Vishal Bharat published during 1957. The author in one of its edition has connects Dholpur to the period of Lord Vishnu. According to him the present fort was the seat of lord Vishnu and all around was water. Looking at the condition of the fort it appears that it is very ancient but its age can only be determined by chemical analysis.

The archaeological investigations in the district have pushed his history back to the Stone Age. Hence, no Palaeoliths have been reported from this area as so far. Microlithic tools were reported from Hansai, Nand-ka-pura in Tehsil Bari ; Tor Danyal in Tehsil Dholpur and Karka Kherli in Tehsil Rajakhera which suggest that the district is inhavited by the microlithick people in large. Painted Grey Ware are reported from Bari, Donder Khera, Hansai in Tehsil Bari ; Kolwa, Saipau and Son in Tehsil Dholpur ; Karka Kherli and Ghari in the Tehsil Rajakhera datable to second and first millennium B.C. early Historical and historical pottery has also been found from this area.

A trial trench excavation at Donder khera in Tehsil Bari has yielded long cultural sequences from Chalcolithic to Muslim period. The excavation has revealed Black and Red ware of Chalcolithic period followed by the Painted Grey Ware and Black Slipped Ware with associated red ware. Three different phases of structural activities have been noticed in a small operational area during excavation. These structures are part of residential apartments. The wall of the house was constructed of burnt bricks. The pottery assembly of the site comprised of red slipped ware, stamped-pottery and coarse red ware, are in varied types including sharp-edged bowls, vases,footed-bowls, carinated handi, dishes, miniature vases, storage jars etc. Among the antiquities the figure of Ganesa and Jaina Tirthankara, stone hopcoches and terracotta, a copper bangle piece, iron knife and a fragment of stone sculpture are remarkable. The antiquities can be datable to pre-Gupta period, and the site remained under the occupation up to the late medieval period.

The Brahmnism and Jainism both were prevailing in the society during the early mediaval period. The discoveries of Naga and Nagis figures from Dholpur put the substantial influence of Nagavansies of Padamvaties over this area. They were succeeded by Guptas as evidences reported from the excavations at Donder Khera. The figures of Nagas and Nagis sculptures belong to tenth to twelfth century A.D. An eleventh century panchayatana temple called as Jogni-Jogana situated near Sone-ka-Gurja is an important edifice of this period.

There are many places of tourist importance belonging to medieval period like Shergarh fort, Muchkund, Sikargarh at Bari, Baber’s garden at Jhor, Maharajwada Purani Chhavni, Tomb of Zar-Zarina at Dhlopur are important among them.

The history of Dholpur that has travelled down to us covers an important era in the annals of Rajasthan extending from 563 B.C. to this date.

The prime attractions in Dholpur are:

1)Damoye: A waterfall in Sarmathura. It is the major tourist spot in whole district. It is visible in rainy season (July-September). Besides this, Damoye has a long and green forest range with wild animals.

2)The Machkund Temple: Muchchhkund is about 8 km from the town of Dholpur. It is an ancient holy place. It commands a scenic view. The place is named after Raja Muchchhukand, the 24th of the Suryavanshi Dynasty (the solar race) who is said to have reigned nineteen generations before Lord Ram.

3)Talab-E-Shahi: Forty kilometres from Dholpur is a scenic lake called Talab Shahi. The lake and the palace were founded in 1617 A.D. as a shooting lodge for Prince Shah Jahan. The palace and the lake were later maintained by the ruler of Dholpur. The lake attracts a large number of winter migratory fowl such as pintail, shoveller, red crested pochard, common pochard, tufted duck, garganey teal, wigeon and fadwall.

4)Shergarh Fort: It is an old fort of historic significance which is situated toward the south of Dholpur tower. This monument was founded by Sher Shah Suri on the site of an earlier Hindu fortress.

5) Ravines of Chambal: The Ravines of Chambal derives its name from Chambal River, has been a safe place for gangs of dacoits for a number of decades.The Chambal ravine or has harbored dacoits (bandits) for centuries. One of the well-known dacoits was Phoolan Devi, Lokman Dikshit, Man Singh & fakkad Baba who terrorised the whole Chambal valley. It is also known as the " Veer Bhoomi Chambal ".

6)Ramsagar Sanctuary: Contains scenic Ramsagar Lake, which supports rich marine life including fresh water crocodiles and a number of fishes and snakes. Water birds such as cormorants, white-breasted water hen, moor hen, jacanas, river tern, ringed plover, sand piper, and green and purple herons are very common here. During winter months migratory ducks and geese visit the lake in good numbers.

7)Van Vihar Wild Life Sanctuary: Van Vihar is an old wildlife reserve of the rulers of Dholpur is spread over an area of 59.86 km2 over Vindhyan Plateau.

8)National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary: The Chambal river remains one of north India’s most unpolluted rivers which is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary contains the rare Ganges river dolphin. The sanctuary was founded in 1978.

9)Nihal tower: Rana Ram Singh of Dholpur was the Jat ruler of the princely state Dholpur (1901–1911) in Rajasthan, India. He was from Bamraulia gotra of Jats. He was born on 26 May 1883 and succeeded Rana Nihal Singh in 1901 after his death. Rana Nihal singh was not of age when ascended to the throne. He got full rights in March 1905. Nihal Singh constructed Nihal tower. His successor was Rana Udaybhanu Singh.

10)Sher Shikar Gurudwara: a Sikh pilgrimage site in Machkund, Dholpur, associated with the history of sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.

By Rail
Dholpur district is well connected with both meter gauge and broad gauge rail routes with Agra, Gwalior, Bharatput and Sawai Madhopur etc.

By Road
Dholpur district is situated on National Highway No.3 on Delhi-Bombay Road. The main towns of the district are well linked with metalled roads and state highways. Agra (50 kms) from Dholpur.