Pakistan is a paradigm example of a failed state that has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation.
Ranthambhore Fort
The Colossal Fort
Right in the center of the National Park is Ranthambhore fort, a stronghold
built in 994AD by Sapaldaksh Chauhana to thwart invasions by Persian invaders.
The fort has a nice legend to it. It is said that two princes went on a boar
hunt. They found one alright, but as soon as the beast spied the duo he dove
into a lake. The princes appealed to Lord Shiva to bring the boar out so they
could kill it. Shiva agreed, but on the condition that the princes would have to
build him a fort. Out came the boar to be killed, and the two princes went forth
and built a fort.
The fort is located on a high cliff surrounded by jungles and has a bloody
history. In the 14th century, the fort became the site for the first ever
jauhar (self immolation by women) in Rajput history. Jauhar, put simply, meant
that wives of Rajput warriors immolated themselves in a huge bonfire when
confronted with defeat. All this happened during the reign of Raja Hammir Dev
who was fighting the Persian forces. The women left behind in the fort came to
know of Hammir's death in battle and consequently decided to end their lives.
However, Hammir was very much alive. On his return to the fort and learning
about the jauhar, he beheaded himself before a statue of Shiva within the fort.
The Great History
During the 12th century AD the Turks were ruling Delhi and in 1194AD
Qutub-ud-Aibak captured Ranthambhore fort from the Rajputs. On Aibak's death in
1210AD Altamush was appointed his successor who realised that in order to gain
control over Turkish possessions in India he would be required to make the
Sultanate stronger than before. By 1220 Altamush had established the northern
frontier along the river Indus. However, with Qutub-ud-din Aibak's death the
Rajputs had realigned themselves and had come together as a force to reckon
with. Ranthambhore fort which they had lost to the Turks had been regained and
Ajmer and its surrounding areas were secure. Delhi saw different rulers in
Altamush's successor Raziya Sultan and subsequently Balban, who were unable to
make much headway into Rajasthan, and Ranthambhore remained in Rajput hands.
Then came Alauddin Khilji, a ruler of Afghan descent. The Rajputs had mastered
the art of guerilla warfare and counted on that to hold out against the
Sultanate, but had not contended with Khilji's military tactics. Alauddin Khilji
captured Ranthambhore fort in 1303 and destroyed the temples within its walls.
Later, the Rajputs reclaimed the fortress and held it till the Mughal emperor
Akbar came along in 1569. Akbar laid siege to the fort with an artillery barrage
which lasted for 37 days, but ultimately it was a ruse which got him the fort.
The emperor disguised himself as a common mace bearer and was accompanied by one
of his Rajput generals, also in disguise. Within a few hours the fort had been
taken and Akbar acknowledged as its ruler. Being of generous disposition, the
emperor gifted away the fort to the Maharaja of Jaipur.
Strongest Bastion
The approach to the fort is from the west along a serpentine route which passes
through four fortified gateways. The first gateway is armoured with a huge iron
chain and elephant spikes to discourage intentions of ramming it with an
elephant. Likewise is the second gate. The third gate lies on a sharp bend and
is protected by the ancient Ranthambhore monolith head. The final gate is the
strongest bastion of defense with huge spiked doors, a turret and a raised
platform which leads into a long vaulted tunnel which in turn goes right into
the fort. So many defenses and this is the only way to enter the Ranthambhore
fort!
An 18th century traveler describes the fort as being famous throughout India,
well protected, completely inaccessible, concealed in mountainous regions where
the ridges were high and surrounded the entire fort, leaving only the forest
gorge below as entrances and exits which could be easily defended. Only cannons
could blast through the walls and force entry, and the notorious inaccuracy of
cannon fire meant that the fort justified its reputation as unconquerable.
The walls of the fort are equally foreboding, rising upto 200ft (61m). A massive
climb without anything to hold on to, or a death-fall, depending on where one
is. However, the interior of the fort is now in ruins and the remains of only
two temples dedicated to Shiva and Ganesh, a Jain temple and a water tank can
still be found. The Badal Mahal in the north section of the fort offers a
splendid view below.
