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Its like straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. The
name Jaisalmer induces a dramatic picture of utter magic
and brilliance of the desert. The hostile terrain not
with standing the warmth and colour of people is simply
over whelming. One of the main draws is the daunting 12th
century Jaisalmer Fort. The beautiful havelis which were
built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are yet another
interesting aspect of the desert city. And you can let
your eyes caress the sloppy sand dunes while you ramble
your way in a camel safari. |
The desert citadel is truly a golden fantasy in Thar Desert.
Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, after whom the city
finds its name, founded Jaisalmer in 1156. On advice of
a local hermit Eesaal he chose the Tricut Hills as his
new abode abandoning his vulnerable old fort at Luderwa
just 16 kilometres northwest. In Medieval times, its prosperity
was due to its location on the main trade route linking
India to Egypt, Arabia, Persia, Africa and the West. The
Bhatti Rajput rulers lined their coffer with gains from
traditional taxes on passing by caravans and sometimes
through illicit gains by rustling cattle. |
Over the years the remote location of Jaisalmer
kept it almost untouched by outside influences.
In the 13th century Ala-ud-din Khilji Emperor of
Delhi besieged the fort for nine years in an effort
to take back the treasure taken by the Bhatti Rajput
from his imperial caravan train. When the fall of
the fort was imminent the women of the fort committed
Jauhar, an act of mass self-immolation, while men
donned saffron robes and rode to their certain death.
Duda son of Jaitasimha, a Bhatti hero also perished
in the battle. Dudas descendants continued to rule
Jaisalmer. In 1541 they even fought Mughal Emperor
Himayun. Though their relations with Mugshal was
not always hostile. Sabala Simha won the patronage
of Mughal Emperor Shaha Jahan for battle distinctions
in Peshawar and the right to rule Jaisalmer. In
the days of Raj, Jaisalmer was the last to sign
the Instrument of Agreement with the British.
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