Deeg

Deeg
—  city  —
Deeg Palace or Jal Mahal Deeg
Deeg Location of Deeg in Rajasthan and India
Coordinates	27°28′N 77°20′E / 27.47°N 77.33°E / 27.47; 77.33Coordinates: 27°28′N 77°20′E / 27.47°N 77.33°E / 27.47; 77.33
Country	India
State	Rajasthan
District(s)	Bharatpur
Population	40,826 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 174 metres (571 ft)

Deeg Fort in Bharatpur district, Rajasthan

Deeg (Hindi: डीग) is a city and a municipality in Bharatpur district in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is situated in the north of Bharatpur at a distance of 32 km, and 98 km (61 mi) North of Agra. Deeg comes under THE BIG PARIKRMA MARG of Lord Krishna which was started from Goverdhan, just only 12 km. far from deeg. It is an ancient town. It finds mention in Skanda Purana (स्कंध पुराण) as "Dirgha" or "Dirghapur". 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.

Geography

Deeg is located at 27°28′N 77°20′E / 27.47°N 77.33°E / 27.47; 77.33.^[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.

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. The town is very famous due to Jat history. The British people couldn't enter in the city, the last wish of British people was to see the Deeg palace when they were leaving India but the royal jat raja did not allow them.^{[citation needed]}

Fairs

Nowadays Deeg is famous for the three-day fair held in the month of September, when the forts of Deeg are brought to liveliness. Deeg has various kinds of palaces, the most famous among them is "Sawan-Bhadon". The palace has a hollow ceiling with rolling iron spheres in it; when water is made to flow into the ceiling, these spheres collide with each other and produce a sound like raining clouds.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[2] 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 Bharatpur. Either you need to have your own transport or take a local bus / a trecker. It takes more than an hour to reach by local bus. In the local bus stand buy a ticket to Deeg. Busses are available at regular intervals.They are over crowded. They stop at every village. The road to Deeg is dusty and bumpy. It will drop you at the Deeg bus stand from which Deeg Palace is 1 km away.You can walk or take a cycle rickshaw. While returning please remember that you have to avail a running bus from Deeg. Alternatively, you can take a trecker. Though over crowded it is more comfortable than a bus, a seat is assured and takes lesser time to take you to Bharatpur. The rate is Rs.20/- as on Feb 2011.

A point to note

The 900 fountains,the major attraction of Deeg Palace does not work except on special occasions. Take the trouble of going to Deeg without expecting much.Deeg Palace remains closed on Friday as of now (Feb 2011).

See also

• Deeg Palace

References

1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Deeg
2. ^ "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. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.