Never Ever forget sacrifices of our Ancestors....
Steeped in heroism and the pride of the Rajputs. It stands as a symbol of courage and sacrifice. ...has withstood many battles
This “city of strength and devotion” stands as a symbol of resilience..!
In the Battles won by Rajputs
Battle of Kasahrada(1178)
First battle of Tarain (1190–1191 CE)
Siege of Ranthambore (1236)
Siege of Ranthambore (1248)
Siege of Ranthambore (1253)
Siege of Ranthambore (1283)
Battle of Ranthambore (1290)
.
.
.
.
Which defined royalty and power in the yesteryears, today the shine must have lost, and the embellishments must have faded away, but the ruins of the fort still create a colossal impact in the minds of the visitors.
The Ranthambore fort like the others stands out for its distinctive history and architecture standing tall amongst the wildlife is a colossal citadel founded in 944 by the Chauhan Rajputs.
Though the exact origin of the fort lies undiscovered, it is widely believed that the construction started under the reign of Chauhan Rajput King Sapaldaksha however the name remains disputed. Nevertheless locals confirm that the construction began in the middle of the 10th century.
The Rajput Kings Chahamana dynasty of Ranastambhapura was established by Govinda-raja, a member of the Shakambhari Chahamana family (also known as the Chauhans of Ajmer). Govinda was the son of Prithviraja III, who was defeated and killed in a battle with the Ghurids, in 1192 CE. The Delhi Sultan Muhammad of Ghor appointed Govinda as his vassal at Ajmer. However, Prithviraja's brother Hari-raja de-throned him, and himself became the ruler of Ajmer. Govinda then established a new kingdom with its capital at Ranastambhapura (modern Ranthambor). After the Muslim conquest of Ajmer, he granted asylum to Hari.
There was a war between Ghurids and Chauhans in 1209 for the sovereignty of this fort.
Balhana, the son of Govindaraja, is recorded as a vassal of the Delhi Sultan Iltumish in 1215 CE, but declared independence in the later years. Balhana's elder son Prahlada succeeded him, and died in a lion-hunt. Prahlada's son Viranarayana was invited to Delhi by Iltumish, but was poisoned to death there. Iltumish captured the fort in 1226 CE but the Chauhans successfully took it back after his death by Balhana's younger son Vagabhata who ascended the throne afte him. He recaptured Ranthambore during the reign of the Delhi ruler Razia (r. 1236-1240). He successfully defended the fort against the Delhi Sultanate's invasions in 1248 and 1253 CE.
Vagbhata's son Jaitrasimha achieved military successes against Paramaras of Malwa and other chiefs. He, however, lost his sovereignty to Nasir-ud-din, and ended up paying tribute to the Delhi Sultanate.
Shakti Dev again captured the fort in 1283.
Hammira-Deva, the last ruler of the dynasty, was also its most powerful ruler (has shared about in detailsin previous post). He ascended the throne sometime between 1283 and 1289 CE. Hammira Mahakavya, his biography by Nayachandra, is one of the few non-Muslim sources for the region's history from that period, and enables the historians to verify the accounts of the Muslim chronicles. The Balvan inscription of 1288 CE mentions that Hammira captured the elephant force of Arjuna II, the Paramara king of Malwa. The Hammira-Mahakavya suggests that he also defeated Arjuna's successor Bhoja II, marched to Chitrakuta, conquered Medapata, and forced the submission of the Paramara king of Abu. Afterwards, he sacked Vardhamanapura, conquered Pushkara, Shakambari, and various other locations before returning to his capital. Hammira's wars with other Hindu chiefdoms made him unable to form an alliance against the Muslim Delhi Sultanate. The fort saw its golden years under the reign of the King Hammir Singh (1282-1301).
The role of Rao Hammir Dev Chauhan is considered to be prominent in the construction of this fort. Then Jalal-ud-Din Khilji and after that Alauiddin Khilji unsuccessfully besieged the fort.
In 1300 Alauddin Khilji tried to conquer the fort but conquered it on the third time after remaining unsuccessful twice.
He successfully resisted invasions by Jalal-ud-din and Ala-ud-din's general Ulugh Khan, but was finally killed in a 1301 invasion led by Ala-ud-din Khalji and eventually captured the Ranthambore Fort in the 13th century and ended Chauhan’s reign.
The fort changed hands many times with powerful rulers taking it under control. Periodic control of Valhan Dev, Prahladan, Veeranarayana, Vagbhatta, Nahar Dev, Jaimetra Singh, Hammirdev, Maharana Kumbha, MahaRana Sanga, Sher Shah Suri, Allaudin Khilji, Rao Surjan Hada and Mughal kings of Ajmer etc.
 |
| Turkish artwork at Ranthambore fort. |
Iltutmish in 1226, Razia Sultan in 1236, Balban in 1248–58, Jalaluddin Khilji in 1290–1292, Alauddin Khilji in 1301, Firozshah Tughlaq in 1325, Muhammad Khilji of Malwa in 1489, in 1529.
The fortress was captured by various kings of Mewar. Ranthambore was under the direct rule of Rana Hamir Singh (1326–1364), Maharana Kumbha attacked Bahadur Shah of Gujarat in 1530, Sher Shah Suri in 1543. In 1569, Akbar, the Emperor of Delhi attacked this fort and made a treaty with the then ruler Rao Surjan Hada through the kings of Amer.
For nearly a century this fort was also under the authority of the Maharana of Chittor. Rana Sanga injured in the Khanwa war was brought to this fort for treatment.
In 1568, Akbar lead a massive attack and after a month-long siege conquered the fort
Attack’s of Ranthambore Fort Sawai Madhopur
 |
| The Imperial Army of Emperor Akbar besieges Ranthambhor Fort, 1568. |
Directs attack on Ranthambore Fort against Akbar Rai Surjan Hada, The attacks on the Ranthambore fort have also been a long story that began with the Qutbuddin Aibak of Delhi and continued till the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
 |
| Emperor Akbar marches victorious into the captured Ranthambore Fort, 1568. |
March 21, 1568, Siege of Ranthambore: Rao Raja Surjan Singh Hada, the 14th Rao of Bundi surrenders to the Muslim army under Command of Moughlia Delhi, lead by General Mehtar Khan & General Munim Khan. who took over the fort after three centuries and dissolved the Ranthambore kingdom in 1568.
After Victory in Battle of Dewair, MahaRana Pratap allied with Rao Chandrasen Rathore of Jodhpur to annex Dongarpur and Banswara states in December of 1578AD and regularly harassed Mughals in their own stronghold in Ajmer. He sent his subordiante Rai Singh Rathore to help the Chauhan ruler of Sirohi state, Surtan Singh in thrashing mughals in the Battle of Dattani in 1583 AD. He would have influence well outside of Mewar allying with Chauhans of Sirohi & Ranthambore, princes of Dongarpur, Rathores of Idar in Gujarat and Hadas of Bundi starting fresh revolts and attacks on Mughals.
But fort remained with the Mughals as a residence and then as a prison till the 18th century.
𝐃𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐛𝐲 𝐊𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐤
Dastarnama is a prose book of Khushal Khattak written in 1665 when he was in prison at Ranthambore Fort by Mughul.
In this book he explained '20 skills' & '20 characteristics' that a leader should have.
20 SKILLS
Self-realization, Knowledgeable, Writing, Poetry, Archery, Swimming, Horsing, Hunting, Bravery, Generosity, Marital life, Parenting, Manager, Economist, Agriculturaliat, Business & Com, Researcher, Musicologist, Chess player, Art & Painting.
20 CHARACTERISTICS
Counselling, Determination, Silence, Active, Modesty, Good Habits, Devotion, Mercy & Forgiveness, Visionary, Justice, Quick Decision, Dignity, Optimism, Manager, boldness, Passion, Honor, Carefulness, Worshipping, Repentance.
Kotla Mohsin Khan, Peshawar. The place where Khushal Baba was arrested by Mughuls, and then he was shifted to Ranthambore Fort.
 |
| beautiful Entrance to Ranthambore Fort |
The fort housed many different ruling clans till it finally fell to the Kachwaha Rajputs of Jaipur. The vast cultural history imbibed in this ancient Rajput architecture is a must visit indeed.
In the 18th century, the Maratha rulers were at their peak and to see them, King Sawai Madho Singh of Jaipur requested the Mughals to hand over the fort to them. Sawai Madho Singh again developed a nearby village and fortified this fort and renamed this village as Sawai Madhopur.
this fort was renovated by Raja Prithvi Singh and Sawai Jagat Singh of Jaipur.
The fort itself sits atop a hill within the Ranthambore Forest, Maharaja Man Singh converted this fort into a hunting ground. After independence, it became under the Durg government which is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India after 1964. The land occupied by the national park was once used by the Rajput rulers of Jaipur as private hunting grounds.
They also built palaces of Nahargarh-Ranthambore Situated in National Park surrounded by a 16th century style fortress, built like a traditional Rajput hunting palace.
A royal white shimmering palace located at the foot hills of Aravali Ranges close to Ranthambore National Park is a tribute to the royal Rajput heritage
The present of Ranthambore Fort Sawai madhopur Rajasthan
Ranthambore fort is one of the most visited forts in Rajasthan as it is situated in the Ranthambore National Park. There is a big and massive wall which protects the fort while seven gates are there for entering and exiting the fort.
Ranthambore Fort is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan state. Ranthambore Durg is a fort built 13 km from Sawai Madhopur Railway Station on the Delhi-Mumbai rail route and 12 km in circumference at a height of 71 meters above sea level between the hills named ran and Thamb.
On 21 June 2013, Ranthambore Fort was declared as World Heritage at the 36th meeting of UNESCO’s Global Committee on Heritage. It is an important tourist destination of Rajasthan is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, as part of a group of six hill forts in Aravalli, Rajasthan are famous for its Rajput Military Defence Architecture, includes Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amber Fort and Jaisalmer Fort.
These forts had unique water storage and harvesting structures, which are used even today.
There is a natural moat in the three more hills of the fort, which makes the fort’s defense strong and invincible.
Ranthambore Fort is located in Ranthambore National Park
The Ranthambore national park once was the hunting ground for the kings and boasts abundant flora and fauna. The fort stands atop on a 700-foot high hill, spread across 7 km in circumference and is enclosed by walls and bastions acting as a primary defense for this strategically planned fort. Ranthambore fort also promises some of the best views that grow majestically green and breathtaking as the elevation rises.
There are many other structures which can be visited by the tourists. The ruins of the fort include palaces like Dullah Mahal, Hammir Court, 32 Pillared Chhattri along with many other architectural marvels like war memorials and various other monuments.
Hammir Kachaheri
Hammir Kachaheri was built by Hammir Singh and it faces Delhi gate. The kachaheri is built on a raised platform. The structure has a central chamber that measures 19.50m x 11.90m. There are two more chambers, one on each side of the central chamber. The pillars in the central chamber support the ceiling and are arranged in two rows. These pillars divide the chamber into 15 sections. Toranas are located in front of the chamber and is supported by double row of columns. The structure was built with rubble stones which are attached to each other through lime mortar.
Hammir Palace
Hammir Palace was constructed by Hammir Singh. The eastern wing of the palace has three storeys while the rest of the sides are single storeyed. There are many chambers in the ground floor connected by small doors to each other. The verandah of the chambers is common whose ceiling is supported by plain pillars. Balconies were constructed on the eastern façade. Stone rubble attached with lime and plastered with lime mortar is used to construct the palace.
Badal Mahal
Badal Mahal has a big hall which has 84 columns. The palace has been ruined but still walls can be seen whose height is 61m. The big hall was used by Hammir Singh for holding meetings and conferences.
Battis Khamba Chhatri
 |
| 7th century lord Shiva temple in Ranthambore fort. |
Symbol of many historical events and the persistence and valor of Hammir Dev Chauhan, Battis Khamba Chhatri is a three storey building whose top terrace is square shaped that measures 12.5m x x12.5m. The roof of the building rests on 32 pillars or battis khamba and that’s the reason the building was named so. The pillars are arranged in two rows where the outer side has six and inner has four pillars. The upper part of the pillar is octagonal in shape while the lower one is square-shaped. There is a verandah in which the center of the ceiling has a big dome which is surrounded by three small domes. Rest of the ceiling is flat.
There are also three Hindu temples inside the Ranthambore Fort, one of which is the temple of Ganesh, Shiva, and Ramlalji, which were built in the 12th and 13th centuries with red Karauli stone.
The fort also has a Jain temple of Lord Sumatinath (the fifth Jain pilgrim) and Lord Sambhavnath. Ranthambore Fort is a powerful fort was built by the Chauhan ruler, but the name of the ruler is still unclear. But most people believe that the fort was built in 944 CE at the time of Sapaldaksh.
Pols or Gates
Standing high at meeting point of Vindhyas & Aravallis, it has thick arched doors with exquisite carving.There are seven gates in the fort which are used to enter and exit the fort. These gates are as follows −
Navlakha Pol −
The width of the gate is 3.20m and it faces east. The gate is built with ashlar masonry and an inscription on a copper plate is fixed on the gate. The inscription tells that the door in the gate were built by Sawai Jagat Singh of Jaipur.
Hathi Pol −
 |
| Hathi Pol with the Head of the Traitor. |
Hathi Pol is 3.20m wide and faces southeast. On one side it has fort wall while natural rock is there on the other side.
A guard room in a rectangle shape can be found over the gate.
Ganesh Pol −
Ganesh Pol faces south and has the width of 3.10m. The brackets in the gate support the beam. Rock is attached to the eastern side of the gate.
Andheri Pol −
Andheri Pol faces north and has the width of 3.30m. Walls of the fort are on both side of the gate. The gate also has balconies on all sides.
Delhi Pol − Delhi
Pol has the width of 4.7m and it faces northwest. The gate has an arch and many guard cells.
Satpol −
Satpol faces south and is 4.7m wide. The guard cells in the fort is of two storeys and there are balconies on both sides of the gate.
Brick masonry is used to make the battlements on the top.
Suraj Pol −
Suraj Pol faces east and is the smallest gateway. The width of the gate is 2.10m.
There are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Rama and there is also a Jain temple of Lord Sumatinath and Lord Sambhavanath constructed in 12th and 13th centuries from red Karauli stone which was also a pilgrimage for many devotees.
Historical findings say that Chauhan ruler Prithviraj-1 installed Golden Cupolas in Jain temples in Ranthambore.
Jain Temple with an open square outside the Garbh Grih at Ranthambore Fort
Dedicated to 3rd Tirthankara Sambhavanatha & 5th Tirthankara Sumatinatha.
Ganesh Temple
Trinetra Ganesh (3 eyes) Mandir in the Ranthambore Fort. Ganesh ji here has 3 eyes like those of Shivji.
Ganesh temple of the fort is popular because people write letters to Lord Ganesh which is posted daily by a local postman.
According to beliefs, devotees make such house out of stones with a wish that HE will bless them with their own home.That’s the reason the temple is very popular among the devotees.
Out of these the Trinetra Ganesh Temple is the most prominent and is believed to be the oldest Ganesh temple in Rajasthan. The temple was constructed by the then Rajput King Hammir Dev Chauhan in the year 1300. The idol is Trinetra, meaning it has three eyes
Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) Ganesha Temple is situated inside the premises of the Ranthambore Fort, Rajasthan. Trinetra Ganesha an very ancient temple, It is d only temple in d world, where bhagwan Ganesha is represented with all the members of his family devi Riddhi n Siddhi his two sons - Subh & Labh, along with his vahan mushak.
It is one of the oldest temples in the country and probably the only one that has the presence of his entire family, including the idols of his wives, Ridhi and Sidhi, and their sons, Subh and Labh.
Hanuman Temple
 |
| Langurs at the Hanuman Temple at Ranthambore Fort. |
Surwal Lake
Surwal Lake is a place in the park nearby the fort where people can watch birds catching fishes. Since the lake dries in summer due to its shallowness, it is better to visit it in monsoon or winter. Morning time is better as a large number of birds can be seen.
Kachida Valley
Kachida Valley is nearby the park where tourists can find panthers, bears, deers and other animals. The hills nearby also add beauty to the place. Due to its beauty from the presence of hills and the animals found, the valley is one of the best place to visit.
Padam Lake
Padam Lake is the largest lake of the park where wild animals come to drink water as it is the main source. In the early morning, many animals can be seen drinking water from the lake. The lake is called Padam which means flowers because water lilies grow here which make the place beautiful.
Jogi Mahal
Jogi Mahal is situated nearby Padam lake. Previously, it was used as a rest house but now accommodation has been restricted. There is a banyan tree nearby the mahal which is very tall and is considered as one of the largest banyan trees in India.
Though one has to climb up 600 odd steps, the Ranthambore fort lives upto its glory and charm making it worth every step.
The Ranthambore fort is a living example of a vast and glorious history, the administration should take steps towards the restoration of its palaces ....
When can we learn to protect our heritage. Situation of World Heritage site- Ranthambore Fort.
Compare above world heritage site under Goverment of India, with this 700 year old fort under private players..
Like here SixSenses at Fort Barwar (an hour's drive from Ranthambore) will open their doors to travelers from across the globe.
This all suite property set within the walls of a lovingly restored 14th century Fort encompasses 2 palaces and temples and offers 48 regal suites.
Ranthambore Fort is seen today as a somewhat dilapidated structure incongruously set amidst a tiger reserve. To others, its walls merely act as protection for the revered Ganesh temple within. While both the tiger reserve and the temple are significant, the fort is bigger than them both, in stature if not in terms of following.
Visitors to Ranthambore need to view the area and the fort in proper perspective, in order to delight in their surroundings to the fullest degree imaginable. Traditionally, forts have used one element drawn from nature as the basic defence.
This could be location on a hilltop to make it difficult to access as well as a vantage point, forest cover to make it less visible and to enable guerilla raids against an attacking force or a water body whose force could be used for offensive or defensive purposes.
What makes Ranthambore pretty much unique is that it has all of these and a very special little bit more. The fort is on a hill about 1,578 feet above sea level. In layman terms, that translates itself into a half hour of steady upward driving on a hill path that often narrows. Today, a visitor drives through in a powerful SUV but imagine the infantrymen of an invading force a few centuries ago.
Those poor souls wouldn’t have had to just take on an upward climb, they would have also been faced with getting through several kilometers of thick forest interspersed with streams of water which would have had to be bridged. In the middle of all this, they would have run into the ‘special little bit’ – the tigers whose home the forest was. While the region is hardly known for man-eaters, it is unlikely that the tigers would have taken kindly to any intrusion into their habitat. With no record of how many attackers served as the main course during a tiger dinner, there can be no doubt that such a fate would have caused many sentries to be extra vigilant.
 |
| Bullocks dragging siege-guns up a hill during Emperor Akbar's attack on Ranthambore Fort, 1568. |
Having finally huffed and puffed its way to the fort, the attacking army would have been at the receiving end almost immediately.
The defending garrison — forewarned by watchers posted in chhatries located atop the hills around — would have been ready and waiting. Apart from the usual cannons, the fort had its secret weapons too. These were in the form of a vast amount of water kept in five underground tanks, the bottoms of which could be opened causing the water to cause a virtual flash flood sweeping away any force in its wake. These are the factors which made Ranthambore impregnable, a place where mighty kings were forced to replace military force with crafty stratagems if the fort was to be won over.
The result has been that many of the fort’s inner structures have survived wanton destruction. The place is full of palaces, some in the process of being restored and others left in a dilapidated state. It also has several temples and water tanks.
Apart from the ramparts which, it was told, act as a great place to sight tigers.
There are also three large cenotaphs built in the memory of the fort’s Rajput defenders. These brave men resisted the Khiljis, Sher Shah Sur and even held the Mughals at bay for a while. The fort is an atmospheric place to walk through, as long as the ever present monkeys don’t get underfoot.
At the foot of the fort, located on the banks of a talao is Jogi Mahal, once a royal hunting lodge and now a government run rest house reserved for special guests. In the dry season it is probably the best place to spot a tiger,
A creature who once defended the fort and today, himself needs to be defended from harm.
No comments:
Post a Comment