Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Ranthambore reserve is situated in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota townships. It is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. The entire area has sprawling tracts of the desert and semi-desert vegetation. Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a game sanctuary in 1955.In 1980, it became a national park and listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore Reserve.

Places Around Ranthambore

A noteworthy site for excursion is the Ranthambore fort. Built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century, this fort was the envy of many rulers because of its strategic location between central and northern parts of India. When the Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji laid siege to this fort in 1303, the women of the household performed jauhar (or self-immolation). This historic fort has many temples, tanks, massive gates and curtain walls. This monument has been declared a protected site by the Archeological survey of India.