Amazing fort of Ranathambore

Ranathambore, is about 200 k.ms down to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.It is about 30 k.ms from Sawai Madhopur, an important railway station near Jaipur.You have take an independent four wheeler on hire from here, to visit this fort, which is in a ruined state now.But it is worth visiting.Sawai Madhopur is about 2 hours journey from Jaipur.

This capital & fort is situated on a 481 metere high hill.The fort wall is very high and thick.Many bastions are there.Area inside the fort is about 105 sq.k.ms.

The ruined capital

Ranathambore is a ruined capital now. It was a capital for nearly 450 years.It flourished in the medieval period and was ruined by 16th century.The fort is on the hill top, around which there is a wildlife sanctuary now.It is a recognised natinal park spread over an area of 360 sq.k.ms.

ESTABLISHMENT AND HISTORY

Actual name of this city was 'Ranasthambha pura'(.rana=battlefield,sthambha=piller)A battle had taken place here between Alluddin Khilji and king of Amer(a place near Jaipur).A branch of Vadavastha family was ruling from this place.Chouhan rulers defeated them.Govinda Chouhan, son of famous king Prithviraj Chouhanwas the first ruler to rule from this place.When Hamir Simha Chouhan of this geneology was ruling from here, (1202),this city had its glory at the peak.In 1290 Sulthan Jalaluddin Khilji made a futile effort to win this fort.He made such attempts thrice, facing a failure everytime.At last,in 1301, Allauddin Khilji personally attacked this fort with huge army and conquored it.The city inside this fort was destroyed by him.Khilji's representetives were again defeated by Malava kings whose rule continued here till 16th century.Then Rana Sanga was ruling from here. He was defeated by muslim kings . From them, the hold on this fort went to the hands of Jaipur kings.

palaces, tombs etc

Everywhere inside the fort now you will see the ruined palaces, temples, roads, tombs for royal persons, etc.In 1962 this site was handed over to the custody of state Archeology department.Since then, restoration and preservation is being done satisfactorily. Still much improvement need to be made.

There are three important buildings( ofcourse in the form of clear remains,) Inside this fort.They are-

1. DULHA MAHAL-this is a marriage hall

2.BADAL MAHAL- This was the quarters of army officers.

3 NRITHYA SHALA- This is an artistic building situated by the side of Badal Mahal.This has beautiful carvings on pillers and ceilings. In the walls, small shelves are present, meant for keeping lamps at night.(Photograph of this is appended.)

CHAITRA SINGH CHATTARI(TOMB)

THIS IS ANOTHER NOTABLE STRUCTURE IN The fort, which visitors cannot miss to see.This is a tomb built by king Ameer in memory of his father king Chaitra Singh who died after 32 years of ruling.The body of that king was burnt in this place, and a Shivaling was estblished on it and on that. a big pillered hall was erected.This was constructed in 1280 a.d.This is grand to look at.By the side of this, is the half-built tomb of the queen of this kingChaitra Singh.Behind these tombs, ARE THE REMAINS OF THE PALACES WHERE THIS KING AND QUEEN LIVED.

PRINCESS COMMITS SUICIDE

There is a famous ''Trinethra Ganapathi Temple' ( three-eyed Ganesh temple) at one end of this fort, Ganesh is a god with two eyes and an elephantine face.His father ,Lord Shiva has three eyes. It is only here you see a ganesha with three eyes. Even now many devotees visit this temple and annual chariot festival is held.It is said that the three eyes of Ganesha represent-good(shubha), profit(labha) and intelligence(buddhi).

A pond is there by the side of this temple. It is said that one of the princesses of this royal family committed suicide by jumping into this pond

  After three years of publishing this hub, after my second visit to this place again, recently, I wish to add that, the place has been further improved to facilitate tourist visiters.It is neater now. Road is also better.