Discover the ancient ruins of Ranthambhore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that lies within Ranthambhore National Park. The Fort is elevated on a natural hummock around 210m (700ft) high and was once a stronghold in the glory days of the Chauhan dynasty. The exact period in which the Fort was constructed is widely debated, however, it is speculated to have found its beginnings in the mid-10th century and to have been held by the Mughal Empire until the 18th century, after being captured by the mighty Mughal ruler Akbar. In its prime, the Fort governed and ruled important trade routes between north and central India, cementing its vital role in the governance of the area.
The Fort was fashionable among the Maharajahs of Jaipur, who hosted hunting parties before the independence of India and before the laws that prohibited hunting. An impressive pink and gravel stone structure with jutting brick lines that look out majestically over the landscape, it towers over the Park with its lofty arches, domes and pillars. Often visited by wildlife, particularly the Bengal tiger, the crumbling Fort now serves as their playground. Secured by a colossal buttressed wall and incorporating two towering gateways it now invites intrepid adventurers instead of warning off ancient invaders.
In 1955, the Park transformed to the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary and later in 1973 was part of Project Tiger. Finally, in 1980 it rose to fame as a dedicated Tiger Reserve.
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