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Ranthambore Fort

Ranthambore Fort is nestled deep inside the Ranthambore National Park. The National Park consists of an area which used to be hunting grounds of the erstwhile kings of Jaipur. Standing atop a hill of 700 ft, the fort is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under “Hill Forts of Rajasthan”. Among the most popular attractions in Ranthambore, the intimidating fort has been pivotal in the history of the state of Rajasthan.

Ranthambore Fort is believed to have been constructed by the Chauhan’s in the 10th century owing to safety measures. Eventually in the 13th century, the Delhi Sultanate captured the fort. Visitors will find here elements from Rajasthani architecture: towering gates, domes, stone pathways, thick walls, water tanks, and temples. Visitors will enter via one of the seven gates, namely, Ganesh Pol, Andheri Pol, Navlakha Pol, Hathi Pol, Satpol, Suraj Pol and Delhi Pol. Mahadeo Chhatri, Toran Dwar, and Sametonki Haveli are other attractions not to be missed. The on-site Ganesha Temple is widely known among devotees and draws crowds in large numbers.

The panoramic views of the National Park alone make this a worthy visit. The fort is free for all, and opens from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visitors should try to catch the sunset here. The best time to visit the Ranthambore Fort is from April to October.

History of Ranthambore Fort
Rajput King Sapaldaksha of Chauhan Dynasty started the construction of the fort on 944 AD. And since then many of his successors contributed towards the construction of Ranthambore Fort. Rao Hammir Deo Chauhan was the one whose role has been considered as the major one. Alauddin khilji tries to capture the fort during 1300 AD but failed to do so. After three unsuccessful attempts, his army finally conquered the Ranthambhore Fort in the 13th century and ended the reign of the Chauhan’s. After three centuries Akbar finally took over the Fort and dissolved the State of Ranthambhore in 1558. The fort stayed in the possession of the Mughal rulers till the mid 18th century. In the 18th century, the Maratha rulers were at their peak and to check them Sawai Madho Singh, that time king of the Jaipur requested Mughals to had over the Fort to him. Sawai Madho Singh then developed the nearby village and fortified the fort and renamed the village as Sawai Madhopur.

Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Ranthambore Fort, and Rajasthan in general, is between the months of October and February. This is the winter season in the area and is the most pleasant time to go sightseeing, trekking, hiking and touring in Rajasthan. The state, being a desert area, can get scorching during the summer, making your travels uncomfortable and exhausting.

How To Reach
Ranthambore Fort is a very popular tourist attraction in Rajasthan. It is located 17km away from the main town of Sawai Madhopur, which also means it is very accessible. You can travel to the fort by road, railway and air:
By Road: There is a well-connected bus service to and from Ranthambore which can take you directly to Ranthambore Fort. State-run buses connect all the major cities and towns in and around Rajasthan.
By Train: The nearest railway station is located at Sawai Madhopur, which is 10km away from the Ranthambore Fort. Several trains from all the major cities nearby stop at frequent intervals at the station.
By Air: The nearest airport is the Sanganer Airport in Jaipur, where flights come in from all parts of the country and from the world. Jaipur is located 157km away from Ranthambore Fort, which can be accessed by buses and hired cars.


Forts in Rajasthan

Forts in Rajasthan reminds tourists of royalty and bravery, of epic battles and valiant heroes & when battles were fought, sacrifice and brutality came along, and sorrow and death were not far behind. All these battles were fought to capture the hill forts of Rajasthan. If you paint a mental picture of what Rajasthan stands for, the hill forts will immediately flash before your eyes as powerful remnants of these long fought wars and battles. The hill forts were the first structures that were built by powerful Rajput kings, for protecting their kingdoms from enemy attacks was their first priority. Their elevated positions above rugged hills gave them an edge over enemies, & allowed them to monitor their surroundings. These were not small forts by any means, but massive structures, powerful enough to withstand cannonballs & fireballs & large enough to accommodate large armies. They were not only meant for defence, but their strategic location allowed them to control trade activities, & also served as royal residences, where kings & his families lived, along with ministers. You will find these hill forts at innumerable places in Rajasthan, & some of them are so magnificent that they have earned them a place in the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.