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THE CITY WITH AN INCLEMENT HISTORY
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.
FORTS AND PALACES
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.
The Khanpur Mahal: It was constructed as a pleasure- palace for
Shah Jahan.
TEMPLES
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.
Machchhkund: About 8 kms from the town of Dholpur is an ancient
sacred place called Machchh Kund. It commands a scenic view. The place is
named after Raja Machchh Kund. Raja Machchh Kund, 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 Machchh
Kund, was sleeping here when a demon Kaal Yaman while pursuing Lord
Krishna, accidentally woke him up. The demon was burnt to ashes because of
a divine blessing to Raja Machchh Kund. It is now a sacred place for
pilgrims. It is said that the enclosures around it, were built by the
Mughal Emperor, Akbar.
LAKES
Talab-E-Shahi: About 40-km from Dholpur is a picturesque and
historic lake called Talab-e-Shahi. The lake and the palace were built in
1617 AD 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 pintal, shoveller, red crested
pochard, common pochard, tufted duck, common teal, garganey teal, wigeon
and gadwall.
WILDLIFE
Van Vihar: This wildlife sanctuary is about 18-km from Dholpur.
Located on Vindhyan plateau, it supports a rather open stunted growth of
Dhok and Khair trees. It is inhabited by animals like Sambhar, Chital,
Blue Bull, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Hyena and Leopard. Tigers were present
in the area till the end of the nineteen sixties. It is said that Maharaj
Udaibhan Singh of Dholpur had a great liking for the wild animals of Van
Vihar. There is an old forest rest house in Van Vihar. It was initially
built by the rulers of Dholpur.
Ramsagar Sanctuary: Another 18-km from Van Vihar is the old
wildlife reserve of the rulers of Dholpur .Ramsagar part of the sanctuary
has Ramsagar Lake. The lake is very picturesque and supports rich acquatic
life including fresh water crocodiles and a number of species of fishes
and snakes. Water birds like Cormorants, Darter, Ibis, White-Breasted
Water Hen, Moor Hen, Jacanas, Stilt, River Tern, Ringed Plover, Sand
Piperand Herons (grey, and purple) are quite common. During winter
months, migratory ducks and geese also visit the lake in good numbers.
OTHERS
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.
Rail: From Delhi, Dholpur is 230-km by rail.
Road: Dholpur is 113-km from Bharatpur
, by road.
There are certain ordinary accommodations available for
tourists in Dholpur.
Bharatpur: 113-km
| Climate: | Mean Max. | Mean Min. |
| Summer: | 42 °C | 25.4 °C |
| Winter: | 22 °C | 9.6 °C |
| Clothing | Summer | Winter |
| light tropical. | light woollen. |