Ranthambore National Park (RNP)

So most of the national parks in India close at the end of June with the start of the monsoons. I've been to 3 national parks this past year -- and wanted to get 1 more in before I left India -- so I journeyed to Ranthambore National Park (RNP) last weekend for 3 days.

RNP is one of the most famous national parks in northern india. It is situated in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 180 km from Jaipur.

RNP is one of India's Project Tiger reserves and is famous for its tigers -- in fact it's one of the best places in India to see them.

The park is named for the fort that lies within its bounds. The park also houses the former hunting palace (in ruins) for the Maharajahs of Jaipur.

The fort was built in 944 by the Chauhan Rajputs. It commanded a strategic location 700 feet above the surrounding plains. The fort was a vital citadel for the control of central India, with the result that many wars were fought for its possession. Due to its location and structure, it was one of the most difficult forts to overthrow. Legend has it that in 1381, thousands of women committed johar or mass suicide rather than fall in the hands of the ruler of an opposing and victorious army. In 1528 the control of the fort fell into the hands of the Mughals. In the 17th century, the fort became a prison fortress where prisoners were executed by throwing them down the hill from the fort walls. The prisoners were first given them some poppy juice (opium) -- I guess to make the trip over the wall a bit more "pleasant"!?! The Mughals gifted the fort to the Maharaja of Jaipur in the late 19th century.