History of sawai madhopur sawai madhopur is a nice city of Rajasthan state. In sawai madhopur the Ranthambore National Park and the historic Ranthambore fortress, which lies within the national park. This area was ruled by Raja Hammir Dev of Chauhan lienage along with his Bargujar relatives. The area was destroyed by Allaudin Khiljee. sawai madhopur was built as a planned city by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur (1750-1768), who named the township after himself. sawai madhopur is famous for its guavas, affectionately known as "Madhopur guavas" in Rajasthan. Lying on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line, sawai madhopur is the gateway to the world renowned Ranthambhor National Park- the famous Tiger Reserve, just 12 km away from here. The name Ranthambore is derived from two hills in the area, Ran and Thanbhor. Another version says that Ranthambore was once called Rana Stambhapura or City of the Pillars of War. It is located near Sawai Madhour township about 100 kms south east of Ajmer in Rajasthan, where the Vindhayas and the Aravalli Hills meet. Ranthambhor has been a witness to the rise and fall of many rulers and a series of battle scenes. In the 13th century A.D. Govinda, the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over the reign of the land. Later his successor Vagabhatta, beautified the city and built a noteworthy temple at Jhain. In the middle of the 15th century A.D. Rana Kumbha captured the fort and gifted it to his son to be occupied later by the Hada Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangazeb. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1754 and since then it was maintained as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were part of the royal hunting who stayed here.  The town of sawai madhopur was founded in 1765 AD was named after its founder Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur. Due to the ongoing Muslim conquests, some how the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan, Govinda established himself at Ranthambhore and ruled the surrounding regions. Later, Vagbhatta laid siege to the fort, following Illtutmish's death and ruled for the following 12 years. History indicates that the region changed lots of hands before finding its way back to its founder, Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur who reinstated the town to its former glory. About 180 kms. to north-east of Jaipur, along the rolling hills of Vindhyas and Aravali ranges lies the town of sawai madhopur. The town founded in 1765 AD was named after its founder Sawai Madho Singh-I of Jaipur.Today sawai madhopur is known for Ranthambhor, a Wildlife reserve and a place of historical importance. The Muslim conquest brought about major changes in the political map of northern India. In Rajasthan, the Chauhan kingdoms of sapadalaksa and Nodal dis-appeared, Govinda the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan established himself at Ranthambhore and ruled as feudatory of the Sultan of Delhi. Following disturbances after the death of Iltutmish, Vagbhatta besieged the fort of Ranthambhor. He then ruled from here for 12 Years waging continuous battles against the Sultanate. Rao Hamir was yet another figure who carved a niche for himself. In the annals, it is only now and then do we come across men of such heroism. Rana Kumbha captured the Ranthambhor Fort the middle of the 15th century. After the death of Aurangzeb, the fort was taken over by the rulers of Jaipur. |
