Deeg Palace is the luxurious summer place of the erstwhile rulers of the princely state of Bharatpur. This historic Palace is around 32 kilometers away from Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

Deeg Palace or Jal Mahal or Water Palace at Deeg in Rajasthan.

Deeg Palace was constructed by the Jat King Badan Singh, who reigned from 1722 to 21 May 1755. He is the founder of the princely state of Bharatpur, As this palace is situated close to Agra, the capital of Mughal emperors, the palace faced repeated attacks by invaders. Prince Suraj Mal, the son of the King, started the construction of a massive fort with a moat around the palace in 1730. Later, the prince became the king, on his father’s demise. He was known as Maharaja Suraj Mal, who reigned from 1755 to 1763 AD.

This Palace complex has many other prominent buildings. Other than the Deeg Palace and Deeg Fort, some other structures in the Palace complex are Gopal Bhavan, Suraj Bhavan, and Keshav Bhawan. The different buildings in the complex are interlinked with Persian-style gardens and water gardens.

Deeg was the site of the legendary battle between Maharaja Suraj Mal and the combined Mughal and Maratha armies. Maharaja Suraj Mal won that historic battle. He captured the Mughal capital of Delhi in 1753. (This happened after the Mughals and Marathas were weakened, after the death of the mighty Mughal emperors like Shah Jahan and his son Aurangzeb and Maratha emperors like Chhatrapati Shivaji and his son Sambhaji.) Maharaja Suraj Mal’s men plundered ‘Red Fort’, the seat of power of the Mughals. They looted all valuables, including entire marbles, and reconstructed the palace at Deeg.

In September every year, there is a three-day fair held in the palace complex.

Keoladeo National Park, or Keoladeo Ghana National Park, previously known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is situated in the same district.

How Do I Go to Deeg Palace?

This Palace is around 32 kilometers from Bharatpur city, the district’s headquarters with the same name. Deeg is well connected to nearby cities like Agra, Alwar, Mathura, and Bharatpur.

Alwar is around 73 kilometers away. Agra is approximately 92 kilometers distance. Mathura is around 36 kilometers from Deeg.

Deeg railway station on the Alwar-Mathura line is the nearest railway station. This line has only very few trains. Mathura Junction railway station is the closest major railway station at around 36 kilometers distance from the Palace.

The Palace opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. The Palace is closed on Fridays.