This majestic fort standing over a slight elevation was built by Raja Suraj Mal. It is surrounded by impressive moats, ramparts and gateways while the interiors are mostly in ruins. The watch tower here rises above the structure to keep on eye on the city and the palace. It also shows off a gun captured from the Agra fort. Another vantage point is guarded by a canon captured from Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761 A.D. Abdali had seized this fort for about six months.
Fatehpur Sikri (22 km)
The Mughal capital between 1571 and 1585, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar to express his gratitude to Salim Chisti, a renowned Muslim saint. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Fatehpur Sikri is situated on the Vindhyayan Mountains and overlooks a beautiful lake. The town has been planned down to the minutest detail and has a few notable structures and architectural marvels. Of these the most distinctive feature of Fatehpur Sikri is the Panch Mahal, a five-storey pavilion of winds used by the royal women.
Leading the Way
It is essential to have a good guide to show you around the massive bird sanctuary. They'll tell you the names of the birds, absolutely correctly and they are so sharp-visioned that you wonder if they have built-in binoculars! Even professional birdwatchers opt to have a guide with them, as these men know the latest nesting grounds of particular birds or can tell exactly at what time of the day the Siberian cranes will be found at which spot. Their stock of useful information comes from being in the park all the time.
All the guides receive training from the Forest Department and it is prudent to listen to them and take their advice.
The rate for guide services is fixed by the government (Rs 75 per hour). However, it is nice to give your guide a healthy tip if you feel he has gone out of his way to make your visit to the park informative and enjoyable. You can also hire bicycles (Rs 30 per day) or a guide can double up as a cycle rickshaw driver and provide a comfortable and informative ride for two (Rs 50 per hour).
Usually in September there is the Qutab Festival held against the backdrop of floodlit Qutab Minar with classical and fusion music performances by the country's most eminent artists.
You can purchase field guides sold at the Tourist Reception Centre at the gate. There is also a handy map of the park on sale that can help you find your bearings.
