Ranthambhore

Ranthambhore National Tiger Park is near the small town of Sawai Madhopur that is situated on the main Delhi to Mumbai train track. In modern times it is famous for its Tiger Sanctuary that has been elevated to the status of a National Park by the Government of India. The Ranthambhore Fort is located on a hill inside the park right in its center. It has witnessed a bloody history as over the centuries various indigenous and foreign invaders tried to conquer it. The Chauhan clan that ruled the area between Delhi and Ajmer established this fort in 944 CE. It is about 700 feet above the surrounding plain. When Muhammad Ghauri defeated the Prithviraj Chauhan of Lalkot near Delhi in 1193 in his second attempt, his clan nobles and family members fled to nearby regions. Govinda Raja, his grandson, resisted the expansion of the Sultanate from his stronghold in this fort. His son, Balhana, continued this resistance. The second Sultan of the Slave Dynasty, Iltutmish, conquered this fort in 1226 but the Chauhans never gave up the resistance completely and after his death in 1236 recovered the fort from Islamic invaders. Balban leading the army of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud made three attempts to conquer the fort. The first two attempts in 1248 and 1253 were unsuccessful despite a very long siege of the fort but finally in 1259 he conquered it from Jaitrasingh Chauhan. His successor, Hamir Dev who succeeded him in 1283 recaptured Ranthambhore Fort and even managed to enlarge his territory. Sultan Jalaluddin Firuz Khilji unsuccessfully besieged the fort in 1290-91. In 1299 Hamir Dev gave refuge to Muhammad Shah, a rebel general of Sultan Alauddin Khilji who was enraged by this audacity and laid siege of the fort unsuccessfully in 1299. Two years later in 1301 he personally led a fierce campaign to conquer the fort and after a long siege ultimately succeeded in taking the fort. Rana Hamir Singh (1326 to 1364) and Rana Kumbha (1433 to 1468) of the Sisodia Dynasty of Chittorgarh occupied this fort. After the reign of Rana Udai Singh I (1468-1473) of Sisodia Dynasty, the fort was occupied by Hada Rajputs of Bundi. For a brief period from 1532 to 1535 the Sultan of Gujrat, Bahadur Shah occupied the fort. In 1559 the Mughal Emperor Akbar succeeded after a siege to conquer Ranthambhore. With the start of the downfall of Mughal Empire in 17^th century when the 6^th Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb died, the Kachwaha Dynasty rulers of Amber and Jaipur took the fort and its territory. When the British East India Company established its rule with the help of native rulers, they recognized Ranthambhore as Jaipur territory. It remained part of Jaipur State until the independence of India in 1947. Inside Ranthambore Fort there are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Ramlalaji constructed in 12th and 13th centuries with red Karauli stone.

The forests near Ranthambhore were established as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India. It was one of the most important tiger reserves in Project Tiger campaign in 1973. In 1980 it was given the status of a National Park. In 1991 the adjacent forests of Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary were combined with Ranthambhore to give it a total area of 392 square kilometers. The majestic predators, assured of protection, roam freely during the day time and can be often seen at close quarters. Ranthambhore sanctuary has a large number of Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara, Langur , wild Boar and Peafowl. A system of 3 scenic artificial lakes - Padam Talab, Rajbagh and Milak Talab, along with a number of canals are part of the biosphere. Besides enhancing the scenic beauty of the Park, they are an important source of water for the inhabitants of the park. While deer congregate here to drink water, fresh water crocodiles can be seen basking in the winter sun to regulate their body temperature. The lake also attracts a large number of migratory and local birds. The local fauna of the park also includes Leopard, Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Sloth Bear and some Pythons. The Jogi Mahal overlooking the Padam Talab at the foot of the fort has a Forest Rest House. Other accommodations outside the fort also ensure a comfortable stay. The Maharaja of Jaipur had built the Sawai Madhopur Lodge as a private hunting lodge for the Jaipur royal family and their British guests during the colonial period. After independence of India it was converted into a 5-star deluxe heritage hotel. The best time to visit Ranthambhore National Park is between November and April. Jeeps and Canter Safari Trucks are available to view the wildlife in the park at close range.

Excursions

Amreshwar Mahadev 8
Mahavirji 110
Kela Devi 125
Shivad 30
Khandar 60
Rameshwaram 90 (in Khandar Area)

5-star hotels:

Oberoi Vanyavilas Hotel – 25 luxury tents with attached baths
The Sawai Madhopur Lodge – 27 rooms

Other hotels:

Ranthambhore Bagh Hotel – 12 rooms & 12 luxury tents
Tiger Den Resort Hotel – 40 rooms
Ranthambhore Safari Lodge – 23 rooms
Aman-i-Khas Camp – 6 luxury tents
Hotel Dev Vilas – 21 rooms
Nahargarh Fort Hotel – 40 rooms
ITC Ranthambhore Forest Resort – 20 rooms
Ranthambhore Regency – 20 luxury rooms & 10 cottage rooms
Raj Palace Resort – 18 rooms

Distance from Ranthambhore in Kilometers and Miles:

Agra: 290 Kilometers or 180 Miles
Bharatpur: 230 Kilometers or 143 Miles
Bundi: 120 Kilometers or 75 Miles
Sawai Madhopur: 10 Kilometers or 6 Miles
Kota: 170 Kilometers or 106 Miles
Ajmer: 272 Kilometers or 169 Miles
Jaipur: 180 Kilometers or 112 Miles
Udaipur: 310 Kilometers or 193 Miles
Delhi: 440 Kilometers or 273 Miles
Chittorgarh: 328 Kilometers or 204 Miles