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Ranthambore tiger reserve's romantic setting, with a 1000 year old abandoned fortress, turquoise lakes and above all it's `friendly' tigers have made it one of the most filmed wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Tigers are readily observed during daylight, hunting or lazing about, oblivious of cameras and jeep-loads of tourists.

Ranthambore was once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur and it's royal heritage manifests itself in the picturesque hunting lodges, chhatris and old fortifications that dot the park. I have visited Ranthambore two times, during November 1995 and October 1998, and saw wild tiger on both occasions.

Ranthambore forest was the private hunting resort of the Maharaja of Jaipur. It was declared the Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary in 1955. But the Maharaja of Jaipur was permitted to hunt in the Sanctuary till the 1970s. Hunting was totally stopped in 1970.

The sanctuary, covering an area of 392 square km, was included in the Project Tiger in 1973. Ranthambore was, and remains, the smallest of the 28 Tiger Reserves in India (originally only nine). Ranthambore attained the status of National Park in 1980. In 1984, the adjoining forests were declared as Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary. In 1991, the Project Tiger was extended to Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary, Keladevi Sanctuary and Kualaji Game Reserve - effectively extending the area of the Tiger Reserve to 1334 square km. Inside Ranthambore fort there are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesh,Shiva and Ramlalaji constructed in 12th and 13th centuries from red Karauli stone.

The Fauna Preservation Society of London referred the matter to Late E P Gee. Gee commented " the tiger is not a protected species in India and the shooting of the tiger by the royal party will be just the same as shooting a stag in Scotland and therefore should not be frowned upon". This place had been lost in the pages of history - till Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi spent seven days, including the night of 1986-87, here. He stayed in Jogi Mahal, the two and a half century old beautiful Forest Guest House, which was closed to the public in 1992.

Other Attractions
Ranthambore has large numbers of sambar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle the chinkara can be seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. The lakes and pools at the park are where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals. Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena. jackal, jungle cats, slothe bear and marsh crocodile.

click here to book your tour to Ranthambore National Park