A History of Ranthambhore:The Impregnable Fort--
A History of Ranthambhor : The Impregnable Fort---
The famous Ranthambhor fort is situated amidst seven beautiful hills in the south -west corner of Rajasthan in Sawai madhopur district. The fort of Ranathambhore is well known for its robustness and impassability .It is a unique structure , majestic ,impenetrable and proyectos by greenery all around . This fort is said to have derived its name from the two hills, Run and Thambor which are in close proximity of each other .The fort is built on the Thambhor hill surrounded by a massive wall strengthened by towers and bastions. The Ranathambhore fort is surrounded by seven hills ,intercepted by deep trenches that have been rendered inaccessible by Banas and Chambal two famous rivers.The fort is encircled by thick forests which are home to many wild animals.Even though there are eight four valleys and hill -ways in the fort ,but there is only single way to reach in the fort.
The name of the builder of this fort is not known. It has also not yet been definitely ascertained when and in whose time it was constructed. Theories abound. It is said to have been built in 1110 A.D. by king Jayant who founded it at the instance
and blessings of Padma Rishi (1). Another version ascribes its construction to Rao Jat who built it in 1046 A.D: on a Saturday, the day of the Teej festival and offered prayers(2). Sidhasen Suri, a Jain author, included it in his list of holy places(3). The Hamir Mahakavya written in Sanskrit around the 15th century and the Hamirraso written in 1785 mention that before the coming of Jat Rao, Bhairu Sen Panwar (Parmar) was the ruler of this place (4) . It has also been suggested that the fort was probably constructed by the Parmars. However, it is probable that the fort was not built by just one king but several in succession over a span of years. The existence of Ranthambhor fort in the 12th century is supported by a few Jain - authors. According to the Updeshamrit of Vijai Singh Suri written in 1191 A.D. and Muni Surat Charitiof Chandra Sur Prithviraj Chauhan of Sambhar offered a golden kalash to the Jain temple in Ranthambhor(5 ).
Ranthambhor, once also called as Ransthambhpura or the city of the pillars of wars, is situated to the north-east of Sawai Madhopur town. at a distance(6) of nearly 13 km. (8 miles), approachable by a tarred road. The fort lies on an isolated hill, 481 metres (1578 feet) above sea level(7). The nearest railway station is Ranthambhor which itself is 10 km. from Sawai Madhopur. Journey to the fort by road is preferable. A visitor can go upto Misra darra by car and thereafter by a jeep upto the main gate of the fort. The fort is approached through a very narrow and steep moun tain and is not visible to the visitor until the end of the valley is reached through a series of gateways. Towering high up in the sky, it inspires awe and terror. The grim fortifications, its gateways and the position of the fort are interesting examples of Indian military art.
The main gate of the fort called Bada Darwaja leads the visitor straight to a plain valley in which lies the famous well, Padmala Falao, surrounded on all four sides by mountains. There are a number of build ings, both ancient and modern, inside the fort. Notable among these are the Ganeshji's temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple, Brahmaji temple,
Raghunathji temple, Parmeshwarji temple and the Jain temple, of which Rajmandir and the Jain temple are claimed to be the oldest. There are also three very big cenotaphs, each of which is supported on thirty-two red sandstone pillars. There are two large sized rectangular rooms called Jora Bhoran, which were used for storage purposes and also for providing supplies to the army. There are five big tanks in the fort and water is always to be found in some of them. The mausoleum of Muslim Pir Sadruddin stands on the bank of Ranihar tank. In addition to these, the Hammir Mahal, Suppari Mahal, Badal Mahal, etc. built in the Hindu style of red sandstone and huge masonry work are there to this day. The temple of Shiva is famous on account of Hammir's visit on his return from the battle field after having encountered with Allauddin Khalji. The Ganesha temple contains a huge figure of god Ganesha. In the cast of the fort is the Gupta Ganga, a perennial stream that flows nowhere. There is a house and a small temple above the stream. It is said that the Rishi Mudgal used to meditate here. Till a few years ago, an iron pillar called Hamir Ghota (a huge club) weighing four and a half maunds was an object of antiquarian interest. It is said that before shooting his arrows Hamir used to steady his hand with this Ghota. Unfortunately it now lies in a broken state..
The fort with its chequered history of sacrifice and stubborn resi dence for defence is considered one of the strongest forts of India. It remained a bone of contention between the Rajputs and the Muslim rulers. for a considerable time during early mediaeval and mediaeval period. It remained at first in the hands of Jadon and Chauhan Rajputs and then was captured by the Khalji Sultans of Delhi for a short while. In the 16th century, the fort came under the control of Malwa kings. Rana Sanga, the famous warrior ruler of Mewar had also captured it. With the defeat of Rana Sanga, the fort came under the control of Mughals. For a short span of time, it remained with Hada Rajputs of Bundi. Finally the last Mughal Emperor Shah Alam entrusted it to the then Jaipur ruler for its protection and preservation against the Marathas. Since then, till the formation of the Rajasthan State, the fort remained under the control of the former Jaipur rulers. At present, Ranthambhor is a protected monu ment, looked after by the Department of Archaeology of the Government of India.
A beautiful view can be obtained from the ramparts of this. fort. A fair is held here on Bhadrapada Sudi 3 to 5 (August-September)
every year (8) .The congregation during the fair exceeds 50,000 people, including many tourists from far and wide. People congregate in order to pay homage to Ganeshji (9) .
According to the Census of 1971, the fort at Ranthambhor has been classified as a village named Qila Ranthambhor occupying an area of 26,063 acres with a population(10) of 43. The Jogi Mahal at the foot of the fort has four rooms used as a rest house with lodging facilities to the visitors. The famous game santuary of Sawai Madhopur is in the vicinity. of this fort. Amreshwar, Shailadhar and Goreshwar are other places of tourist interest and famous for their scenic beauty and natural splendour. Amreshwar lies on a hill top amidst water springs from which a conti nuous stream of water flows on a Shivling there. It is said that Hammira's. daughter used to come here every day to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The Goreshwar temple, Sita Devi temple and Kalegorji temples are also /centres of attraction for devotees.
In the neighbourhood of the Ranthambhor fort, lies the famous game sanctuary. Situated amidst hills and rivers, it is a natural abode of wild life and big game and attracts tourists seasonally. It is situated at a distance of about 10 km, north-east of Sawai Madhopur railway station. From Jaipur it is 170 km. via Dausa (Jaipur district) and 160 km. via Tonk(11). Sawai Madhopur is a railway junction on the broad gauge railway line from Delhi to Bombay and the terminus of the metre gauge railway line (Western Railway) from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur. It is 400 metres above the mean sea level( 12) . The State Government established this sanctuary in 1957 by declaring an area of 450 sq. km, as prohibited for hunting. The sanctuary extends over the valleys within the Aravalli and Vindhyan hills, and has lakes and several hilly foot paths. The scenic beauty of the sanctuary is enhanced by valleys, namely, Kachinda, Kamal Dhar, Sole shwar, Lahpur, Bhakola and lakes like Malik Talao, Padamla Talao, Raj Bagh, Gilai Sagar and Mansarovar. It has became the home of many
herbivorous animals. Carnivorous animals also exist in the dense shades of the forest. The sanctuary has no dearth of water because of its streams and springs for drinking purposes. No national or state highway passes through it. Wild animals found here include tigers, panthers, sloth bears. T chinkaras, sambhar and deer. Besides, crocodilés, peacocks and neelgai are found in large numbers. Wild dogs and numerous species of birds can be spotted during morning and evening any day. The State Forest Depart-5 ment has constructed about 120 km. long roads for vehicles to ply and enable visitors, particularly foreign tourists to watch wild life from close quarters. Tigers and tigresses with their cubs can be seen in the evening and the early hours of the morning. Salt bricks are placed in different places to attract them. Jogi Mahal (Forest Inspection bungalow) situated next to the sanctuary and at the foot of the Ranthambhor fort has lodging facilities for visitors. It has thres rooms but without electricity. From the Jogi Mahal the view across the Talab especially when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, with the Aravalli hill ranges in the background is excec dingly picturesque and beautiful. Natural beauty coupled with a quiet atmosphere has made the Jogi Mahal a favourite picnic spot. There is also a rest house of the irrigation department at Khandar having three rooms for visitors. The State Forest Department has also a two-roomed rest house for visitors to the game sanctuary. It is located near the Sawai Madho pur railway station. The Forest Department can arrange the witnessing of the hunting of a bull by tiger on request by a visitor. Several spots have been earmarked for filming wild animals by tourists and watch towers constructed for spotting animals without danger. Recently, the Central Government has included this game sanctuary in the Tiger Project. This would mean further enlargement of the area of the sanctuary and increase in the number of wild animals preserved here. Ranthambhor sanctuary is considered the most suitable place for the preservation of wild life in general and of tiger in particular. Transport to the sanctuary has to be arranged locally, since no regular transport service is available. The main gate of the sanctuary called Misradarra, the watch tower, the Jogi Mahal rest house and the fort Ranthambhor are 10, 13, 15 and 16 km. away respectively from the railway station of Sawai Madhopur.
References--
1. Chitra Kinra: Sawai Madhopur, Past and Present, an unpublished the Collectorate of Sawai Madhopur.
2. ibid.
3. 3. ibid.
4. ibid.
5. ibid.
6. Census of India 1961, Rajasthan, District Census Handbook, Sawai Madhopur District p. xi.
7.ibid.
8. Census of India 1961, Rajasthan, District Census Handbook, Sawai Madhopur District p. xi.
9. ibid.
10. Census of India 1971, Series 18, Rajasthan, parts X-A & X-B, District Census Hanadbook, Sawai Madhopur District, p. 78.
11. Source: Office of the Field Director, Project Tiger, Ranthambhor, SawaiMadhopur,
12. ibid.
Auther-Dr Dhirendra Singh Jadaun
Village-Larhota, Sasni
District -Hathras ,U.P.
Associate professor ,Shahid Captain Ripudman Singh Govt.College , Sawai Madhopur ,Rajasthan .
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