Siege of Ranthambore (1568)
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Mughal victory
- Signing of the Mughal–Bundi treaty.
changes The Mughal Empire swept into the territories of Rao Surjan Hada of Ranthambore Fort.
| Siege of Ranthambore (1568) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Mughal-Rajput War 1558–1578 | |||||||||
 Bullocks dragging siege-guns up hill during Akbar's attack on Ranthambhor Fort[1] | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Mughal Empire | |||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Akbar Mehtar Khan Abu'l-Hasan Asaf Khan Ghazi Khan Badakshani Munim Khan | Rao Surjan Singh | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
|
70,000 men 96 cannons 50 swivel guns 900 matchlocks 4000 war elephants |
12,000 defenders 100 war elephants | ||||||||
In the siege of Ranthambore, on 8 February 1568, Akbar led a massive Mughal Army of over 50,000 men and besieged Ranthambore Fort. Akbar had become emboldened after his victories at the Battle of Thanesar and the siege of Chittorgarh and only Ranthambore Fort remained unconquered. Akbar believed that Ranthambore Fort was a major threat to the Mughal Empire because it housed great Hada Rajputs who considered themselves sworn enemies of the Mughals.
Akbar had first decided to besiege Ranthambore Fort in the year 1558, but decided instead to capture Gwalior, northern Rajputana, and Jaunpur.
After successful Mughal victories around Rajputana and the fall of Akbar's most notorious enemies during the siege of Chittorgarh, Akbar decided to capture Ranthambore Fort, which was considered the strongest fortress in Rajputana and widely believed to be impregnable.
The Rajputs in Ranthambore Fort were under the command of Rao Surjan Hada, of the Hada clan of Bundi. Ranthambore was the capital of Bundi state. Rao Surjan Hada was greatly demoralized by Akbar's victory during the siege of Chittorgarh but initially refused to surrender.
