Rajasthan’s historic Ranthambore Fort could be worth more than Rs 6,500 crores

Ranthambore Fort is situated within the grounds of the Ranthambore National Park near Sawai Madhopur City, as the park was previously the hunting ground for the Jaipur royals till India’s independence. It is a strongly fortified fort that has played a major role in the legacy and historical development of Rajasthan. It was previously held by the Chauhans or Chahamanas till the 13th century. It was thereafter taken over by the Delhi Sultanate. In 2013, the Ranthambore Fort was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee.

(Ranthambore Fort wall. Source: Shutterstock)

Ranthambore Fort valuation

The massive fort is situated at 2, Ranthambore Road at Vigyan Nagar, Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. The total area of the fort is 102 hectares which is approximately 1,09,79,188.63 sq ft. Going by the prevalent market rates here of Rs 5,000-6,000 per sq ft, the value translates into a mind-boggling Rs 65,87,51,31,780 (Six thousand five hundred and eighty seven crores and fifty-one lakh thirty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty rupees), although it is near impossible to estimate the actual value of any historically significant structure as this.

(One of the gates at Ranthambore Fort. Source: Shutterstock)

See also: Know more about the Agra Fort valuation

Ranthambore Fort: History and legacy

The famous Ranthambore Fort was built in the 10th century by the Chauhan rulers and owing to its strategic location, it was suitable for keeping enemies away successfully. The fort is also linked to the historical legends that spoke of royal women voluntarily performing Jauhar or self-immolation when Alauddin Khilji laid siege to this fort in 1303. The fort is dotted with several massive gates, tanks, temples and massive walls. It was built in 944 AD and has seen numerous battles and sieges over the years. The most famous one is the war of Rao Hamir in 1301 against the Delhi Sultan, Alauddin Khilji.

(Aerial view of Ranthambore Fort. Source: Shutterstock)

The fort is an architectural wonder and has numerous attractions, such as Mahadeo Chhatri, Toran Dwar and Sametonki Haveli, within the grounds. There is a mosque and a temple within the grounds, bearing testimony to the secular nature of the Rajput rulers. The Lord Ganesha temple here is a key draw for tourists and a fair is hosted annually, during the Bhadrapad Sudi Chaturthi at the fort.

(Ganesh Temple in Ranthambore Fort. Source: Shutterstock)

The fort was built during the reign of the king Sapaldaksha in 944 AD as per one theory while another mentions the building of the fort during Jayant’s reign in 1110 AD. As per government sources, its construction was started in the mid-10th century, at the time of Sapaldaksha’s reign and continued for some centuries.

See also: All about the Golconda Fort

Ranthambore Fort: Interesting facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Ranthambore Fort

• The Ranthambore fort was earlier called Ranastambhapura or Ranastambha.
• The fort was linked to Jainism during the reign of Prithviraja I of Chahamana (Chauhan) Dynasty in the 12th century.
• A Mallinatha temple was built in the fort in the Mughal period, as well.

(Battis Khamba Chhatri (32 Pillared Umbrella) temple, Ranthambore Fort. Source: Shutterstock)

• After Prithviraja III (Prithviraj Chauhan) and his defeat in 1192 AD, the fort was controlled by Muhammad of Ghor. Govindaraja IV, the son of Prithviraja accepted the rule of the Ghurid King and ruled as his vassal instead. His descendants tried to become independent multiple times.
• Iltutmish, the Delhi Sultan captured this fort in 1226 although it was recaptured by the Chauhan rulers after his death in 1236.
• Sultan Balban, who led the armies of then-Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud, unsuccessfully laid siege to this fort in 1248 and again in 1253 and it was captured in 1259 from Jaitrasingh Chauhan.

(Source: Shutterstock)

Also read: Here’s what you need to know about Rajasthan bhu naksha

• After a series of captures and recaptures, the Sultan conquered the fort in 1301.
• Rana Hamir Singh and other kings of the Mewar dynasty controlled the fort for several years.
• The Mughal emperor Akbar captured the fort following the siege of Ranthambore in 1568.
• The fortress went to the Kachwaha Maharajas from Jaipur in the 17th century and remained within the state till India’s independence.
• The area surrounding the fortress was the hunting ground for the Jaipur royals.
• There is a Lord Sumatinath Jain temple inside the fort, which also has Lord Sambhavanath along with three ancient Hindu temples for Shiva, Ganesha and Ramlalaji that were built in the 12th and 13th centuries using the famous red Karauli stone.

(Source: Shutterstock)

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