Ranthambore Fort

Ranthambore Fort
UNESCO World Heritage site
Location Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India
Part of Hill Forts of Rajasthan
Criteria Cultural: (ii)(iii)
Reference 247rev-003
Inscription 2013 (37th Session)
Area 102 ha (0.39 sq mi)
Buffer zone 372 ha (1.44 sq mi)
Coordinates 26°1′13″N 76°27′18″E / 26.02028°N 76.45500°E / 26.02028; 76.45500Coordinates: 26°1′13″N 76°27′18″E / 26.02028°N 76.45500°E / 26.02028; 76.45500
Location of Ranthambore Fort in Rajasthan
Ranthambore Fort (India)

Ranthambore Fort lies within the Ranthambore National Park, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, the park being the former hunting grounds of the Maharajahs of Jaipur until the time of India's Independence. It is a formidable fort having been a focal point of the historical developments of Rajasthan. The fort was held by the Chahamanas (Chauhans) until the 13th century, when the Delhi Sultanate captured it.

In 2013, at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, Ranthambore Fort, along with 5 other forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan.[1]

History

The Ranthambore fort was built by a Chauhan ruler, although the exact name of the ruler is disputed. A widely held belief states that the fort was built the reign of Sapaldaksha, in 944 CE. Another theory states that the fort was built during the reign of Jayant, in 1110 CE. According to Government of Rajasthan's Amber Development & Management Authority, it is likely that the construction started in the mid-10th century during the reign of Sapaldaksha, and continued a few centuries after that.[2]

Under Chauhans

Its earlier name was Ranastambha or Ranastambhapura. It was associated with Jainism during the reign of Prithviraja I of Chahamana (Chauhan) dynasty in the 12th century. Siddhasenasuri, who lived in the 12th century has included this place in the list of holy Jain tirthas. In Mughal period, a temple of Mallinatha was built in the fort.[3]

After the defeat of Prithviraja III (Prithviraj Chauhan) in 1192 CE, the fort came under the control of the Muslim Ghurid ruler Muhammad of Ghor. Prithviraja's son Govindaraja IV accepted the Ghurid suzerainty, and ruled Ranthambore as his vassal.[4] His descendants made various attempts to become independent.

1569-Akbar's entry into the fort of Ranthambhor

The Delhi Sultan Iltutmish captured Ranthambore in 1226, but the Chauhans recaptured it after his death in 1236. The armies of Sultan Nasir ud din Mahmud, led by the future Sultan Balban, unsuccessfully besieged the fortress in 1248 and 1253, but captured from Jaitrasingh Chauhan in 1259. Shakti Dev succeeded Jaitrasingh in 1283, and recaptured Ranthambore and enlarged the kingdom. Sultan Jalal ud din Firuz Khalji briefly besieged the fort in 1290-91. In 1299, Hammiradeva sheltered Muhammad Shah, a rebel general of Sultan Ala ud din Khalji, and refused to turn him over to the Sultan. The Sultan besieged and conquered the fort in 1301.

Under Mewar

The fortress was captured by the kingdom of Mewar under Rana Hamir Singh (1326–1364) and Rana Kumbha (1433–1468).[5][6]

Under Hadas

During Rana Udai Singh I's reign (1468–1473) the fortress passed to the Hada Rajputs of Bundi. Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat captured the fortress from 1532 to 1535. The Mughal Emperor Akbar captured the fortress in 1569.

Under Jaipur

The fortress passed to the Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur in the 17th century, and it remained part of Jaipur state until Indian Independence. The area surrounding the fortress became a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur. Jaipur state acceded to India in 1949, becoming part of the state of Rajasthan in 1950.

Temples

Inside Ranthambore fort there are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Ramlalaji constructed in 12th and 13th centuries from red Karauli stone. There is also a Jain temple of Lord Sumatinath (5th Jain Tirthankar) and Lord Sambhavanath.

Nearby attractions

Water Gateways

1. Kachida Valley

2. Surwal Lake

Picnic Sports

3. Malik Talao

Wild Life

4. Bakula

5. Lakarda And Anantpura

6. Rajbagh Talao

7. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve Or National Park

Historical Places

8. Jogi Mahal

9. Padam Talao

10. Raj Bagh Ruins

11. Ranthambhore Fort

12. Ranthambhore School Of Art

13. ganesha temple

14. Jain Temple

See also

References

  1. ↑ "UNESCO World Heritage". Retrieved 27 Feb 2018.
  2. ↑ "Hill Forts of Rajasthan: Ranthambore". Amber Development & Management Authority. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Singh, Narendra (1 January 2001). Encyclopaedia of Jainism. 1. Anmol Publications / Indo-European Jain Research Foundation. p. 5538. ISBN 978-81-261-0691-2.
  4. ↑ Dasharatha Sharma (1959). Early Chauhān Dynasties. S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass. p. 102. ISBN 9780842606189.
  5. ↑ IA, Vol. XLII, pp. 57-64
  6. ↑ Yasovarman of Kanau,p.123. Books.google.co.in. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
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