Deeg

Deeg डीग जल नगरी
city
Deeg Palace or Jal Mahal Deeg
Deeg Location in Rajasthan, India
Coordinates: 27°28′N 77°20′E / 27.47°N 77.33°ECoordinates: 27°28′N 77°20′E / 27.47°N 77.33°E
Country	India
State	Rajasthan
District	Bharatpur
Government
• Type	Congras
Elevation	174 m (571 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	44,999
Languages
• Official	Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Deeg Fort in Bharatpur district, Rajasthan

Deeg is a town and a municipality in Bharatpur district in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is situated 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of Bharatpur and 98 kilometres (61 mi) north of Agra.

In Hindu mythology, Deeg was situated along the parikrama path of Krishna, which started at Goverdhan, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Deeg. Some people identify it as the ancient town of "Dirgha" or "Dirghapur" mentioned in the epic Skanda Purana. Deeg was the first capital of the newly carved out Jat state of Bharatpur, when Badan Singh was proclaimed its ruler in 1722. In 1730, Maharaja Suraj Mal erected the strong fortress of Deeg. After Suraj Mal moved the capital to Bharatpur, Deeg became the second capital of the rulers of Bharatpur princely state. It is known for its number of forts, palaces, gardens and fountains.

Geography

Deeg is located at 27°28′N 77°20′E / 27.47°N 77.33°E.^[1] It has an average elevation of 174 m (571 ft).

History

It is an ancient town. It finds mention in Skanda Purana as “Dirgha” or “Dirghapura”. Deeg was the first capital of the newly carved out Jat state of Bharatpur, when Badan Singh was proclaimed its ruler in 1722. In 1730, the Maharaja Suraj Mal erected the strong fortress of Deeg. After Suraj Mal moved the capital to Bharatpur, Deeg became the second capital of the rulers of Bharatpur princely state. It is known for its number of forts, palaces, gardens and fountains.

Badan Singh ( 1722–1756 AD) after assuming the throne consolidated the headship of the tribe and thereby became the virtual founder of the Jat house at Bharatpur. The credit of commencing the urbanization of Deeg also goes to him. It was he who selected this spot as the headquarters of his newly established Jat kingdom.

After the Third Battle of Panipat between the Marathas and the pan-Islamic coalition led by Ahmad Shah Durrani for control over North India, Shamsher Bahadur (the son of Baji Rao I and Mastani) died at Deeg around the 20 January, 1761, of wounds sustained at the Battle of Panipat.

During 1804, both the Battle of Deeg and the Siege of Deeg brought the British East India Company into conflict with Bharatpur's Jat rulers and their Maratha allies for control of the area.

Deeg in films

The 1972 movie by Conrad Rooks, Siddhartha, based on Herman Hesse's novel, was shot in Deeg. Additional scenes in the film were shot in Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary, Bharatpur.

Fairs

Deeg is known for the three-day fair held in the month of September, when the forts of Deeg are brought to liveliness.

Architecture

The palace complex together with its water gardens was a summer retreat for the maharajas of Bharatpur. The layout comprises several palaces called bhawans, interwoven within series of charbaghs and water gardens. The major Bhawans are Gopal Bhawan, Divan I Khas or the Kishan Bhawan, Wrestling palace or Nand Bhawan, Keshav Bhawan, Hardev Bhawan, Suraj Bhawan and symmetrically arranged twin pavilions of Sawan & Bhadon.^[2]

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[3] Deeg had a population of 40,826. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Deeg has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 71% and, female literacy is 49%. In Deeg, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

How to reach

Can be reached from Agra, Mathura, Alwar or Bharatpur. Regular Buses are available from Jaipur, Bharatpur, Alwar, Mathura and New Delhi. Slow trains are available from Alwar and Mathura. Deeg railway station lies on the Mathura-Alwar railway line that caters mainly to freight trains and also slow train service from Jaipur .

Nearest Airport is Delhi and can be reach in 3-4 hours.

Attractions

• Deeg Palace with its 900 fountains, which operate twice a year during the avamasaya festivals in February & September. Deeg Palace museum is closed on Fridays.

References

1. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Deeg
2. Chugh, Bharat; Chugh, Shalini (2014). Deeg Palace: Its Romance & Wonder. Niyogi Books, India. ISBN 9789383098538.
3. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.