Golden splendor amid the desert
Jaisalmer - the golden beauty, etched in yellow sandstone. Perched atop the
Trikuta Hill, it stands tall against miles of gleaming sand. Epitomising the
desolate, awesome charm of the desert.
Jaisalmer, the city of the golden fort is a fantasy in yellow sandstone in
the heart of the Thar Desert. The city was founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal,
a Bhatti Rajput King.
Legend has it, that Lord Krishna - the head of Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna
that a remote descendent of Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the
Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled, when in 1156 AD Rawal Jaisal, a
descendant of Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, founded the city of Jaisalmer.
This amber-hued city, in the heart of the desert, dazzles gloriously in the
early morning. The sunset has a peculiar glow here. As the night descends,
the sky goes up in flames, which fade leaving a few embers, till it becomes
black. A breathtaking sight indeed!
Jaisalmer is famous for cobbled streets, strewn with palaces, forts,
temples and havelis. Every house, here, is exquisitely carved, having
filigreed work all over. These houses date back to 12th - 15th century. And
hence Jaisalmer is called 'the Museum city'.
Filled with colour, festivity and smiles, Jaisalmer is truly a memorable
experience across the shimmering sands.
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History of Jaisalmer
The 'Golden City' of Jaisalmer was founded in the year 1156 by a Bhatti
Rajput prime Jaisala named the city from the vulnerable former capital of
Lodhruva, 15 kms to the south-east. After he sought counsel of a hermit who
lived in a cave near aspring on top of a rocky hill. The sucession of
Maharajas of Jaisalmer trace their lineage back to the ruler of Bhatti
Rajput Clan Jailasimha.
The History of Jaisalmer is as turbulant as the character of its bandit
chiefs would lead one to expect. Ferociously independent, inordinately proud
of a tenuous "divine" lineage; brave, even foolhardy in battle and
often treacherous as allies, the Bhatti Rajputs were the most feared of all
desert marauders. When they were on the rampage, the gates of neighboring
fortresses were closed and the cowering citizens barred their doors and
windows against these "wolf-packs of the wastes". Their major
opponents were the powerful Rather clans of Jodhpur and Bikaner and endless
ding-dong battles were waged for the possession of a petty fort,or meager
waterhole. Cattle-stealing was a major pass time, along with falconry and
the hunt.The source of income was the forced levies on the great caravans
that traveled the ancient Spice Route on their way to imperial Delhi.
With the coming of the Muslims in the 13th and 14th centuries, the nature
of the conflicts changed. The new enemy was not given to playing , if games
according to a chivalri if bizarre, a code of conduct. The outsiders were
here to found an empire and to propound Islam, a fanatically held faith.
However, since Jaisalmer was situated deep in the desert, it escaped direct
Muslim conquest. The Rawals, as the rulers were styled, agreed to pay an
annual tribute to the Delhi Sultans in order to preserve a circumscribed
independence.
Unfortunately, the Bhatti rulers could not always control their unruly
vassal chiefs. The dire prophesy of Eesul, that the fort would be sacked,
came about by their own rash actions.
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The sieges of Jaisalmer are the subject of traditional ballads about Bhatti
heroes. They are still sung at fairs and festivals by the hereditary bards,
the bhaals and carans, and are the only record of the clan in medieval
times. Although elaborately embellished with fabulous deeds of valor, they
form the oral history of the period and have been an inspiration to the
people during difficult times.According to the ballads, the first siege
occurred during the reign of Allaud-din Khilji (1295 A.D.-1315 A.D.),
provoked by a foolhardy raid on the royal baggage caravan. For seven long
years, the besieging army tried to starve out the defenders. Finally, the
breached the ramparts, and the Bhattis, yet facing certain defeat,
proclaimed the terrible rite of johar. Once the women and children had
perished by sword or fire, the men, clad in ceremonial saffron and
opium-intoxicated, opened the gates and rushed out to meet a heroic death.
The second sack followed a daring raid on Sultan Ferozeshah's camp at
Anasagar Lake, near Ajmer. Jaisalmer was once again overrun and the dread
johar repeated.
The Jaisalmer rulers lined their coffers with illicit games won through
cattle rustling and by more orthodox methods. religion and the fine arts
flourished the rulers of Jaisalmer, and altough professing, Hinduism they
were tolerent of Jainism, encouraging the construction of the beautiful
temples which now grace the old city within the fort walls. Sculptural
depictions of both Hindu and Jain deities and holy men stand side by side on
the walls of these fine e fices. The visionary rulers commission scholars to
copy precious sacred manuscri and books of ancient learning which m
otherwise have been lost during Musli raids.
Jaisalmer's strategic position on the ca train routes between India and
central As brought it great wealth. The merchants a townspeople built
magnificent houses mansions, all exquisitely carved from wo and from
golden-yellow sandstone. The havelis can be found elsewhere in Rajasth
(notably in Shekhawati), but nowhere they quite as exotic as in Jaisalmer.
Even t humblest of shops and houses displa something of the Rajput love of
the deco tive arts in its most whimsical form. It likely to remain that way
too, since the ci planners are keen to ensure that all ne buildings blend in
with the old.
The rise of shipping trade and the port Bombay saw the decline of
Jaisalmer. Independence, partition and the cutting the trade routes through
Pakistan seeniingi sealed the city's fate, and water shortag could have
meant its death sentence. Ho ever, the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan war
revealed Jaisalmer's strategic importance and the Indira Gandhi Canal to the
north is beginning to restore life to the desert.
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Places to Visit:-
One of Rajasthan's most alluring cities, Jaisalmer, deep in the heart of
Thar Desert, abounds in ancient palaces, temples and quaint settlements. As
the sun sets, the sandstone buildings emit a lustrous glow, that make
Jaisalmer the "Golden City". Founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 A.D.,
the remote location of Jaisalmer, kept it almost untouched by outside
influences, even during the days of the British Raj.
Very few cities can, even hope to match the sheer grandeur of this city.
There is an undefinable aura of magic and mystery, that surrounds its famous
desert-fortress - the yellow sandstone walls and bastions of which, take on
a golden hue in the afternoon sun, which is why it is, so aptly, called
Sonar Kila or the Golden Fort.
Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is the most alive of any museum, fort or palace that you are
likely to visit in India. It was built in 1156 by the Rajput ruler Jaisala.
About a quarter of the old city's population resides within the fort walls.
The fort is entered through a forbidding
Lodurva Jain Temple
15 km from Jaisalmer, are the deserted ruins of this town, which was the
ancient capital, previous to Jaisalmer. It is an important centre of Jain
pilgrimage. The temples at Lodurva exhibit fine examples of intricate
craftsmanship on yellow stone. They have ornate carved arches at the
entrance, and a Kalputra, the Divine - Tree, within. In the temple, is a
hole from which, a snake is said to emerge every evening, to drink an
offering of milk. Only the ' blessed' can actually see it, it is said.
Gadsisar Lake
Built by a courtesan, it used to be the main source of drinking water in
the olden times. Today, an arched gateway leads to a small tank flanked by
shrines and well laid out gardens and flower beds. A scenic rain water lake
with numerous beautiful shrines around. The lake is an idyllic spot for
outings.
Desert National Park
An extensive variety of desert birdlife, ranging from birds of prey to
sandgrouse, doves, shrikes, bee-eaters, warblers and desert coursers, are to
be found in the National Park. The most remarkable bird of the desert, the
Great Indian Bustard can also be sighted here. Among the animals to be seen,
are the desert fox, wolf, blackbuck, chinkara, nilgai, and the crusted
porcupine.
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