Situated on the hills of Sawai Madhopur, the Ranthambore Fort is a daunting fort that is counted among the six World Heritage Sites of Rajasthan as declared by the UNESCO. It has an extremely rich historical background and has witnessed some of the most major historical events that have taken place in Rajasthan. The fort is surrounded by the Ranthambore National Park which had been the hunting arena for the kings of Rajasthan belonging to different dynasties such as the Chauhans, Rajputs etc.
The historical events that have been witnessed by the fort have been divided into two parts based on the time-frame during which different events have taken place. The first part is referred to as Ancient history while the latter part is referred to as Modern history.
Immediately after it was built, the current Ranthambore Fort was known as Ranastambha or Ranastambhapura. The fortress was constructed in during the 10th century in the year 944 by the Nagil Jats, who are the ancestors of the current Jats which is a part of the Sikh community in our country. This specific clan is said to have descended from Nagavanshi Mahapurush Nagavalok and Raja Veer Singh Nagil was the most revered ruler of this clan whose rule had stretched over a long period starting from the end of the 9th century continuing well into the 10th century.
The entire region of the Ranthambore fort and the national park were ruled by this small group of people referred to as Nagil Jats. Raja Veer Singh Nagil was the first ruler of the clan who actually considered the development of an infrastructure within his state for the benefit of his people. He even had an army of about 30,000 soldiers including cavalry, to safeguard and protect his state. He is said to have laid the base for building the Ranthambore Fort which was finally built by the person next in kin to him.
Within the fort there are Buddhist Stupas, which are said to have been constructed during the 3rd century BC by the Maurya ruler-the great Ashoka who had introduced Buddhism in our country. The inscriptions on these Buddhist stupas or pillars mention the Nagil clan which bears testimony to the fact that the clan existed since the period of the Maurya ruler and were the followers of Buddhism. This clan is mentioned in the inscriptions of the Sanchi Stupa as well, which again is a Buddhist religious monument.
The clan is said to have ruled the Ranthambore area until a couple of centuries prior to the rule of the Chauhans. Their origin has been traced back to the current state of Punjab, while the fort is said to have been established by Rana Jat Mal. His name inspired the name of the fort and he is said to have begun the construction by placing a pillar or Stambh where the fort is now situated.
This fort has seen many a fights during the rule of Chauhans during which they had received the support of the Nagil Jats and even won those battles. They had also assisted Bhagabhatta Chauhan against the Muslim invaders. The fort had become the focal point of fight and resistance against the Mughal rulers who were gradually spreading their siege all over India. Govinda Raja Chauhan who was the descendant of the great Prithvi Raja Chauhan had become the protector of the state of Ranthambore and his people as well. The fort was the shelter for the Chauhan ruler and his people. It was also the battleground for all the major fights fought by the rulers of this dynasty.
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