History of Ranthambore

History of Ranthambore: From Royal Hunting Ground to Tiger Paradise

The Royal Hunting Era

Ranthambore was vastly different before India gained independence. The park used to be the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur in its early years, when they would hunt tigers and other animals for sport.

But it was a time of hunting that began to alter all that. The forests started to contract. The wildlife began to disappear in great numbers. Thus, the government had to take immediate action.

Key Milestones in Ranthambore National Park History

To give you a quick overview of the Ranthambore National Park's history, here is a timeline:

1. 1953 — Rajasthan Forest Act was enacted for the legal protection of Forrests in Rajasthan.

2. In 1955, Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary was set up by the Government of India as the initial Sawai Madhopur National Park, later renamed to Ranthambore National Park.

3. In 1973, it was designated as one of the first Project Tiger reserves and is important for the conservation of tigers.

4. In 1980, the area of approximately 282.03 sq km was declared a sanctuary, and over 12 villages were shifted out of it.

5. It was decided that the Kela Devi Sanctuary would comprise 647 sq km of forest adjacent to the north side of the park in 1983.

6. Sawai Mansingh sanctuary was set up in 1984, covering an area of 130 sq. km. along the southern boundary.

7. 1991: Sawai Mansingh and Keladevi Sanctuaries became part of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.

Of course, every step made the park bigger and stronger, as one can see.

Project Tiger is a Game-Changer

A remarkable event occurred in 1973. In India, the endangered Bengal tiger and other animal species and their habitat were protected by the Government of India's Project Tiger, which designated the Ranthambore National Park as one of the tiger reserves in the country.

This was a turning point indeed. Besides this, it provided a safe habitat for the tigers to live and develop. Consequently, the number of tigers started to increase gradually.

The jeep rides through the valley's forest routes are also peaceful, and tourists ride comfortably. Apart from that, this is a place that is visited by wildlife photographers for unique jungle photographs.

How the Tiger Population Grew Over Time?

A piece of amazing trivia.

Further, the story of Ranthambore illustrates the power of conservation at its best for saving a species.

Fort Inside the Forest - A UNESCO Treasure!

The fort is an integral part of the history of Ranthambore National Park. The Ranthambore Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and shows the imperial era of this place with a rich history dating back to the 10th century.

Within the fort, there are three red-stone temples of Ganesh, Shiva, and Ramlalaji, and a Digamber Jain temple of Sumatinatha and Sambhavanatha. The temples were built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Thus, it's like you're strolling through history.