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Ancient and Medieval History – Bandhavgarh Fort and Dynasties

Bandhavgarh’s history is deeply intertwined with its ancient fort and the region’s royal dynasties, making it a site of both cultural and ecological significance.

• Bandhavgarh Fort Origins: The Bandhavgarh Fort, perched atop a hill within the park, dates back over 2,000 years, with references in ancient texts like the Narad-Panch Ratra and Shiva Purana, suggesting it was a stronghold as early as the 3rd century BCE.
• Mythological Significance: Legend attributes the fort’s construction to Lord Rama, who gifted it to his brother Lakshmana, with the name “Bandhavgarh” derived from “Bandhav” (brother) and “Garh” (fort).
• Dynastic Rule: The fort was ruled by various dynasties, including the Maghas, Vakatakas, Sengars, Kalachuris, and Baghels, with the Baghel dynasty of Rewa controlling it from the 13th century until it was abandoned in 1617 after Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital to Rewa.

Pre-National Park Era – Hunting Reserve

Before its establishment as a national park, Bandhavgarh was a private hunting ground for royalty, which shaped its early conservation challenges.

• Royal Hunting Ground: Under the Baghel rulers, Bandhavgarh’s forests were a private hunting reserve, with tigers and other wildlife hunted for sport, leading to significant population declines by the early 20th century.
• Maharaja Martand Singh’s Efforts: In the early 20th century, Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa, an avid hunter, killed the last white tiger in the wild in 1951 but later advocated for conservation, gifting the region to the state for protection in the 1960s.
• Early Conservation Steps: By the mid-20th century, the Madhya Pradesh government recognized the ecological value of Bandhavgarh’s forests, initiating preliminary protection measures to curb unregulated hunting.

Establishment as a National Park – 1968

The establishment of Bandhavgarh National Park marked a turning point in the region’s conservation history, driven by the need to protect its rich biodiversity.

• National Park Declaration: In 1968, Bandhavgarh was declared a national park, initially covering 105.4 km², with the Tala range as its core area, aimed at protecting its tiger population and diverse ecosystems.
• Project Tiger Inclusion: In 1993, Bandhavgarh was included in India’s Project Tiger, expanding its area to 437 km² and later to 1,536 km² with the addition of buffer zones like Magdhi and Khitauli, strengthening tiger conservation efforts.
• Conservation Measures: Strict regulations banned hunting and grazing, while the park’s core zones were demarcated to limit human activity, preserving habitats for tigers, leopards, and other species.

Modern Conservation and Legacy

Today, Bandhavgarh National Park is a global conservation success story, known for its thriving tiger population and eco-tourism initiatives.

• Tiger Conservation: With one of the highest tiger densities in India, Bandhavgarh is home to over 50 tigers across its core zones, supported by robust anti-poaching measures and habitat management.
• Biodiversity and Tourism: The park hosts 37 mammal species, 250+ bird species, and diverse flora, attracting wildlife enthusiasts with jeep and canter safaris, while eco-tourism supports local communities.
• Challenges and Achievements: Despite challenges like human-wildlife conflict and tourism pressure, Bandhavgarh’s conservation efforts have stabilized its tiger population, contributing to India’s 3,925 wild tigers as of 2023.