Dacoit Tourism: yet another Tourism Innovation from Rajasthan

Rajasthan has an amazing past – of Rajput kings and Maharajas.  Its princes have used that history well.  The Palace on Wheels, and the Heritage Hotels are great ways in which the history has been well preserved and yet been presented for tourism to make money for the present generation!

Now, comes the idea which is as original as they come!  Along with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan is also known for dacoits.  So, what better way than to have the tourist go through “Dacoit Experience”!  I mean one can see those places where they lived – there aren’t as many dacoits left now – and how they functioned etc.  Only a few of those breed are left so one can watch their life up close.

But wait.. better still if the tourist gets a GUIDED TOUR by a real dacoit!  That would be a real experience!

The department is mulling a proposal to allow tourists to interact with surrendered bandit kings and queens of the Chambal river valley. To begin with, tourists will be taken to dacoit-infested districts such as Dhaulpur, Bharatpur and Karauli.

Former dacoits like Roop Singh, Madho Singh and Bhanwar Singh have welcomed the move, saying that it will help them merge with the mainstream. “If meeting with tourists can help create jobs, I am all for it,” says Roop Singh.

“The very idea of having the morning cuppa with a bandit on the banks of the Chambal will appeal to tourists,” says a travel agent. However, some tour operators are wary of the risk involved.

But a tourism ministry official allayed their doubts. “We’ll make the process completely safe.

Morning cuppa with a dacoit in his local hideout.  Now THAT is what I call Innovation in Tourism!  Abuses for backdrop “music”, with bullets flying around for entertainment?  Well, it wont be as exciting, but at least its a good way to give employment to the newly surrendered bandits and help them earn money in their new avataar.