Ranthambore Fort
| Ranthambore Fort | |
|---|---|
Ranthambore Fort in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India | |
| Type | Fortress |
| Location | Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India |
| Coordinates | 26°1′13″N 76°27′18″E / 26.02028°N 76.45500°E |
| Area | 102 ha (0.39 sq mi) |
| Built | 5th Century CE |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii)(iii) |
| Designated | 2013 (37th session) |
| Part of | Hill Forts of Rajasthan |
| Reference no. | 247 |
| ID | 247rev-003 |
| Region | Asia and the Pacific |
| Buffer Zone | 372 ha (1.44 sq mi) |
Ranthambore Fort lies within the Ranthambore National Park, near the city of Sawai Madhopur in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, India. It is a formidable fort having been a focal point of the historical developments of Rajasthan. The fort provides a panoramic view of the surrounding Ranthambore National Park and is now a popular tourist attraction.
It is said to have been constructed by Ahir Ruler Maharaja Jayanta in fifth century A.D. The Ahir Yadavas ruled over it till they were expelled by Prithviraja Chauhan in the twelfth century.The kings who succeeded him contributed to the construction of the fort. Back in the day, Ranthambore Fort was considered impregnable owing to its strategic development and design. This became one of the many reasons why several rulers wanted to capture the fort. Subsequently, the fort was occupied by the Muslim rulers of Delhi, and later captured by several other dynasties including Hada and Mewar. The Delhi Sultanate captured it for a brief time. Later on, it came under control of Marwar and Mughals.
The fortress commanded a strategic location, 700 feet above the surrounding plain. In 2013, at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Ranthambore Fort, along with 5 other forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan.