Till the early 20th century, the area of Ranthambore was a vast forest cover and served as a hunting reserve for the royal families of Rajasthan. In the mid-20th century, the government realised the importance of conserving forest area and Ranthambore was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1957. In 1973, Project Tiger was started and the area was declared as a tiger sanctuary. In 1981, the park was given the status of a National Park. In the 1990s, Ranthambore fell prey to tiger poachers leading to a decline in the number of tigers. However, with strict conservation efforts the population increased. According to census of tigers in 2014, there are 62 tigers in Ranthambore National Park. The area is home to many historical structures, such as the Ranthambore Fort, built by a Chauhan ruler in 944. It was known as Ranastambha or Ranastambhapura during that time. Prithviraj Chauhan conquered the fort in the 12th century. After his defeat at the hands of Mohammad of Ghor, the fort was captured by various emperors, including The Delhi Sultan Iltutmish, the kings of Mewar, the kings of Jaipur, before becoming a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur.

Rajasthan is known worldwide for its rich and colourful culture. Handicraft industry plays a major part and has given the locals a platform to showcase their talent. One can buy handicrafts boasting of intricate designs, such as embroidered fabrics, turbans, silver jewellery, mirror work, bed covers, puppets, etc. in the local shops. Block printing, pottery, painting, etc. are some of the art forms popular in Ranthambore. Folk dance plays a significant part in the life of the locals, who love to celebrate joyous occasions. Ghoomar and Kalbelia are the local Rajasthani dance forms. Their cuisine consists of typical Rajasthani dishes, such as Dal Baati Churma, Bajre Ki Roti, Gatte Ki Sabzi and Dal Bade. Major festivals celebrated here include Ganesh Chaturthi, Guru Purnima and Shirdi Vijayadashmi. Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival celebrated in August or September, to mark the birth of Hindu God Ganesh. The festival is celebrated with pomp and fervour, when thousands of devotees’ flock to the renowned Ganesh Temple of the area. They sing devotional songs and recite prayers in praise of the Lord.

The people who live in and around Ranthambore National Park are dependent on agriculture and tourism for their livelihood, making use of the abundant natural resources in the area. However, certain activities such as grazing, mining and poaching are prohibited. The area is home to various tribes, such as the Meenas and the Mogiyas. Near the premises of the park, there is a flourishing tourism industry, with a number of hotels and resorts. Jobs in this industry include hotel services, handicraft sellers, tour operators, taxi services, park guides, etc. The people working for the Forest Department also play a major role, being in charge of the area.