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A Trip4India > Wildlife Sanctuary in India > Ranthambore National Park

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Ranthambore National Park

State : Rajasthan
Area : 1334 sq kms
Temperature : 20°C - 46°C (Summer) 5°C - 24°C (Winter)
Altitude : 500 mts
Best Season : October-April

Ranthambore is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise, about 180 kilometres from Jaipur and 360 kilometers from Delhi in Rajasthan's rugged Sawai Madhopur district. The drive from Jaipur is not particularly exciting so taking a train to this part of Rajasthan is an option you might consider. Situated at the eastern limits of the Aravalli range, the Ranthambore National Park takes its name from the medieval Ranthambore Fort that overlooks it.

Ranthambore National park is famous for its tigers and is one of the

best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be easily spotted even during the day. A good time to visit between November and May when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings common. The Park covers an area of nearly 400 sq. km. and is set between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India.
The Sanctuary is an oasis, located in the center of India's popular holiday destination, Rajasthan. With a coverage area of over 392-sq-kms, this sanctuary was developed ideally under the project Tiger, to preserve Tiger, the royal creature. Today, besides the tiger, other animals that have made Ranthambore their home are antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara and marsh crocodiles. You also see Sambhars in abundance at the park. Ranthambore also boasts of a large variety of bird life.

History :
This region was the stronghold of the Rajput King Hamir who was defeated by Ala-ud-din Khilji's army in AD 1301. A glorious era in the history of Ranthambore began when Emperor Akbar captured it in 1569 and in the process took control of the fort from the Rajputs. This event was chronicled by his artists in miniature paintings of the Akbarnama. Later, the fort was handed over to the Kachwaha rulers of Jaipur and remained with them till 1949 when Jaipur state became a part of Rajasthan.

Many hunting parties were organized in this region including the famous ones organized in honour of Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh in 1949. The need to preserve the area was first noticed by the erstwhile rulers of Jaipur. In 1955, Ranthambore became a sanctuary and was one of the very first protected areas. Later in 1984, the park was notified as a National Park with an area of around 400 square kilometres and today according to a rough estimation, the park has a tiger population of a little over a hundred.