Bhadawar is a nostalgic territory of Bhadauria (Agnivansi) Rajputs. Raja CHANDRAPAL DEV founded BHADAWAR Estate in 790 and the clan is named after his son Raja BHADO RAO who established the capital at “Bhadaura”। We find mention of Bhadawar state in Mahabharta as “Bhadra” democracy.Ater Fort, Bhind, Bhadawar, भदावर Geographically, Bhadawar was having strategically significance। Bhadawar was situated between the wild ravines of Yamuna and the dreaded ones of Chambal. It has a rare confluence of five rivers namely Kunwari, Pahuj, Sindh, Chambal and Yamuna, which meet together at the place named “PACHNADA” in Uttar Pradesh neighbouring BHIND, India.
Bhadawar Kings Raja Shalya Dev 1194-1208 died in battle while giving a tough fight to Quttubuddin Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi। Raja Shalya Dev’s son Raja Rajju Raut 1228-1262, re-established his rule at Fort Hathkant.
Ater Fort
Two Bhadauria Maharajas, Badan Singh and Maha Singh accompanied Mugal armies in Afghanistan। Maharaja Mahendra Gopal Singh greatly extended the boundaries of the state during the decline of the Mughal Empire and after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, Raja Kalyan Singh Bhadauria obtained possession of Dholpur.
Thus the boundaries of Bhadawar Estate were extended up to Gwalior in the South, Dholpur in the West and Etawah and parts of Mathura and Kanpur in the East, an area of approx 12000 sq km. During the latter years of the 18th century, the Marathas attacked the Bhadaurias and many of their possessions were lost in pitched war.
Maharaj Badan Singh was a great admirer of architecture he has build a fort at Ater, 101 temples at Bateshwar for the presiding deity of Bhadawar Bateshwar Mahadeo (Lord Shiva). Bhadauria’s living in Bhadawar, Bhind, Bah and Bateshawar feel the nostalgia of bygone years and feel pride when visiting the symbols of once lavishing estate: -
1. Fort of Ater
2. Fort of Nawgaon
3. Fort of Pinahat
4. Fort of Hatkant – which is in depleted condition.
5. Beteshwar – Temple Complex of 101 temples, on the ghat of river Yamuna.
The dialect of Bhadawar is known as Bhadauri, which is a form of Bundelkhandi, a branch of Hindi. Bahadawar is all set to become the next tourist destination beyond the Taj Mahal in Agra.