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The Jat
rulers of Kuchesar, who hail from Mandoti in Haryana,
built their mud-fort somewhere in the mid 18th century.
The family traces its adventurous descent from the Jats
of the Dalal sub-caste. Bhual and his three brothers
first arrived in this area early in the 18th century.
His grandson Chhatar Singh served with Mirza Ali Beg,
the Jagirdar of Chitsauna, obtaining both power and
a large estate. His sons joined Jawahar Singh, the Jat
ruler of Bharatpur to avenge the death of his father
Suraj Mal. Najib-ud-daulah recalled them back and offered
the jagir of Kuchesar with the title of Rao and the
office of 'chormar', destroyer of thieves. In 1763,
the Jat fort of Kuchesar was captured and razed. By
1782, it was recovered and has since remained with the
family, which was granted a perpetual lease in 1790
by the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam and then by the British
in 1807.
The Mud Fort of the Jats of Kuchesar was built in the
mid-18th century with seven turrets as a defence against
British cannon attack, and a wide moat was dug to create
the ramparts. Its main palace sits atop a large bastion
overlooking gardens on three sides and the ruins of
a replica of Robert Clive's Calcutta house to its west.
The banks of Brijghat, 24 kms away on the holy Ganges,
make an interesting picnic outing among fields of sugarcane
and mango orchards. Guest can swim at The Mud Fort.
Only 80 kms from New Delhi, Kuchesar is a short drive
from the stress and crowding of the capital.
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