54-490: Jaisalmer (pronunciation) , nicknamed The Golden city , is a city in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan , located 575 kilometres (357 mi) west of the state capital Jaipur , in the heart of the Thar Desert . It serves as the administrative headquarters of Jaisalmer district . It is a former medieval trading center and the historic capital of the kingdom of Jaisalmer , founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal of
108-432: A population, including the residents of the fort, of about 78,000. Jaisalmer ranked 9th on Booking.com 's Top 10 The Most Welcoming cities in the world. It is the only Indian city on the list. Jaisalmer was founded by Jaisal Singh, popularly known as Rawal Jaisal , in 1156 AD. It is named after its founder, with "Jaisal" representing the king's name and "Mer" signifying a fort. So, it means "The Fort of Jaisal", emphasising
162-460: A sovereign democratic republic. The new republic was also declared to be a "Union of States". The constitution of 1950 distinguished between three main types of states: Andhra State was created on 1 October 1953 from the Telugu -speaking northern districts of Madras State . The French enclave of Chandernagore was transferred to West Bengal in 1954. In the same year Pondicherry , comprising
216-412: A total of 36 entities. The states and union territories are further subdivided into 806 districts and smaller administrative divisions . The states of India are self-governing administrative divisions, each having a state government . The governing powers of the states are shared between the state government and the union government . On the other hand, the union territories are directly governed by
270-479: Is around 40 °C (104 °F) while the minimum is 25 °C (77 °F). The maximum winter temperature is usually around 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) and the minimum is −5 °C (23 °F). The average rainfall is 256.5 millimetres (10.10 in). The highest ever recorded temperature was 50.0 °C (122.0 °F); the lowest ever recorded temperature being −5.9 °C (21.4 °F). Temperatures of up to 52.4 °C (126.3 °F) have been recorded near
324-490: Is connected to Delhi and other cities all over India. This station comes under Jodhpur (JU) division of the Northwestern Railway (NWR). Additionally, there exists a luxury tourist train known as Palace on Wheels , which covers the major tourist destinations of Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer. States and union territories of India India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories , for
378-604: Is made between the Governor-General and the Ruler of this State whereby any functions in relation to the administration in this State of any law of the Dominion Legislature shall be exercised by the Ruler of this State, then any such agreement shall be deemed to form part of this Instrument and shall be construed and have effect accordingly. 5. The terms of this my Instrument of Accession shall not be varied by any amendment of
432-452: Is the most awaited and famous cultural and colourful event of Rajasthan. Camel races, Turban-tying and Mr. Desert competitions are organised. It is held in the month of February every year. The festival showcases Rajasthani folk songs and dance and it is very attractive to foreign tourists. Gair and Fire dancers which are the major attraction of the Jaisalmer desert festival celebrations. This is
486-509: The Bhati clan of Rajputs . Jaisalmer stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is crowned by the World Heritage Site , Jaisalmer Fort , a sprawling hilltop citadel supported by 99 bastions. This fort contains a royal palace and several ornate Jain temples . Many of the houses and temples of both the fort and of the town below are built of finely sculptured yellow sandstone. The town has
540-765: The Crown Colony of Burma . In 1947, the last Act of the Crown was passed. The act dissolved the Indian Empire, the Imperial Legislative Council and the Chamber of Princes and the Union of India was consequently established from 9 former Indian provinces ( East Punjab , United Provinces , Central Provinces , Madras , Bombay , Bihar , Orissa , West Bengal and Assam ) and 562 former Indian states. Between 1947 and 1950,
594-650: The Act or of the Indian Independence Act, 1947, unless such amendment is accepted by me by an Instrument supplementary to this Instrument. 6. Nothing in this Instrument shall empower the Dominion Legislature to make any law for this State authorising the compulsory acquisition of land for any purpose, but I hereby undertake that should the Dominion for the purposes of a Dominion law which applies in this State deem it necessary to acquire any land, I will at their request acquire
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#1732844798878648-540: The Crown. British India and the princely states were together referred to as the "Indian Empire", commonly called "India". The Government of India Act 1935 introduced the concept of the Instrument of Accession, wherein a ruler of a princely state could accede his kingdom into the 'Federation of India'. The federation concept was initially opposed by the Indian princes, but it is believed that they came around to its acceptance by
702-607: The Dominion of India; And whereas the Government of India Act, 1935, as so adapted by the Governor-General provides that an Indian State may accede to the Dominion of India by an Instrument of Accession executed by the Ruler thereof: Now therefore I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruler of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in
756-466: The Emperor's representative to the constituent states of the province. The first three of the lieutenant-governorships were territories annexed to India from other powers and temporarily governed by the erstwhile Bengal Presidency, before being made into their own separate provinces. Agra and Bengal were still considered de jure parts of the defunct Bengal Presidency for judicial and legal purposes. Agra
810-415: The Government of India introduced legislation to merge the union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli into a single union territory to be known as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu , effective from 26 January 2020. Ladakh UT The Constitution of India distributes the sovereign executive and legislative powers exercisable with respect to the territory of any state between
864-613: The Hindu Shahis of Afghanistan made an alliance with the Bhati rulers of Multhan, because they wanted to end the slave raids made by the Turkic ruler of Ghazni, however the alliance was defeated by Alp Tigin in 977 CE. Bhati dominions continued to be shifted towards the South as they ruled Multan, then finally got pushed into Cholistan and Jaisalmer where Rawal Devaraja built Dera Rawal / Derawar . Jaisalmer
918-485: The Indian Union and the state's monarchy was abolished. In 1987, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became states on 20 February, followed by Goa on 30 May, while erstwhile union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu 's northern exclaves Damão and Diu became a separate union territory as Daman and Diu . In November 2000, three new states were created, namely: Pondicherry was renamed Puducherry in 2007 and Orissa
972-547: The Pakistani border, but the standard conditions of this temperature recording remain unverified. According to the 2011 census, Jaisalmer had a population of 65,471. Around 90% of the population is Hindu, 8.20% is Muslim and the remaining are Sikhs, Christians, and Jains. Tourism is a major industry in Jaisalmer. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on renewable energy in the region. Jaisalmer has been home to various wind and solar energy projects, taking advantage of
1026-630: The State is to be construed as including a reference to my heirs and successors. Given under my hand this. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .day of August, Nineteen hundred and forty-seven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I do hereby accept this Instrument of Accession. Dated this. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .day of August, Nineteen hundred and forty-seven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Governor-General of India) The Instrument of Accession
1080-565: The Union and that state. Instrument of Accession The Instrument of Accession was a legal document first introduced by the Government of India Act 1935 and used in 1947 to enable each of the rulers of the princely states under British paramountcy to join one of the new dominions of India or Pakistan created by the Partition of British India . The instruments of accession executed by
1134-552: The academic disciplines of civil and mechanical engineering in the state. After the departure of the British from India in 1947, Jawahir Singh signed an Instrument of Accession to the new Union of India , while retaining some internal autonomy until the 1950s. Jaisalmer, being an arid desert region, is prone to extremes in terms of temperature. It borders on a hot semi arid climate. The temperature varies greatly from day to night in both summer and winter. The maximum summer temperature
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#17328447988781188-452: The ample sunlight and wind resources in the desert. The Government of India initiated departmental exploration for oil in 1955–56 in the Jaisalmer area. Oil India Limited discovered natural gas in 1988 in the Jaisalmer basin . Musicians and dancers are also a major cultural export from Jaisalmer to the rest of the world. Manganiyar musicians have played the world over, and Queen Harish ,
1242-466: The beginning of World War II. In 1947, the British finalised their plans for leaving India , and the question of the future of the princely states was a conundrum for them. As they were not British possessions , they could not be partitioned by the British between the new sovereign dominions of India and Pakistan. The Indian Independence Act 1947 provided that the suzerainty of the British Crown over
1296-501: The best time to visit Jaisalmer to witness performing arts like Kalbelia dances and folk songs and music. Jaisalmer is connected to the rest of Rajasthan by buses provided by Rajasthan State Transport Corporation as well as other private bus operators. Jaisalmer Airport is located 17 kilometres southeast of Jaisalmer. Flights serve Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat and Jodhpur. Jaisalmer railway station runs daily trains between Jaisalmer and Jaipur, through which it
1350-749: The city's historic fortification and its royal heritage. The term "Mer" or "Meru" is of Sanskrit origin, signifying a mountain or a high, prominent place, and it has been historically used in the names of various geographical features and landmarks, like Ajmer . The state of Jaisalmer had its foundations in what remains of the Empire ruled by the Bhati dynasty. Early Bhati rulers ruled over large empire stretching from Ghazni in modern-day Afghanistan to Sialkot , Lahore and Rawalpindi in modern-day Pakistan to Bhatinda , Muktsar and Hanumangarh in modern-day India. The empire crumbled over time because of continuous invasions from Central Asia. According to Satish Chandra,
1404-403: The continuance of my sovereignty in and over this State, or, save as provided by or under this Instrument, the exercise of any powers, authority and rights now enjoyed by me as Ruler of this state or the validity of any law at present in force in this State. 9. I hereby declare that I execute this Instrument on behalf of this State and that any reference in this Instrument to me or to the Ruler of
1458-471: The dancing desert drag queen, has toured the world over and has featured in international movies. Jaisalmer is also known for its leather messenger bags , made from wild camels native to the area. Built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, Jaisalmer Fort , situated on Meru Hill and named as Trikoot Garh has been the scene of many battles. Its massive sandstone walls are a pale yellow colour during
1512-615: The day, turning to a darker gold as the sun sets. The famous Indian film director Satyajit Ray wrote a detective novel and later turned it into a film − Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) which was based on this fort. About a quarter of city's population still live inside the fort. The main attractions inside the fort are the Raj Mahal (Royal palace ), Jain temples and the Laxminath temple. A number of ornate buildings in Jaisalmer were built by its Jain community , including temples , notably
1566-626: The direct rule of the Emperor of India (who was also the King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions ) and a few minor states, ruled by Indian princes under the suzerainty of the Emperor. A Governor or Lieutenant-Governor acted as the representative of the Emperor to that province and head of government of the directly ruled territories in the province. The governor or lieutenant-governor also served as
1620-422: The economic decline but the dramatic reduction in trade impoverished the kingdom. A severe drought and the resulting famine from 1895 to 1900, during the reign of Salivahan Singh, only made matters worse by causing widespread loss of the livestock that the increasingly agriculturally based kingdom relied upon. The attempts of Jawahir Singh (1914–1949) at modernisation were also not entirely successful in turning
1674-475: The exercise of my sovereignty in and over my said State Do hereby execute this my Instrument of Accession and 1. I hereby declare that I accede to the Dominion of India with the intent that the Governor-General of India, the Dominion Legislature, the Federal Court and any other Dominion authority established for the purposes of the Dominion shall, by virtue of this my Instrument of Accession but subject always to
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1728-573: The former French enclaves of Pondichéry , Karikal , Yanaon and Mahé , was transferred to India. This became a union territory in 1962. Also in 1954, pro-India forces liberated the Portuguese-held enclaves of Dadrá and Nagar Aveli , declaring the short-lived de facto state of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli . In 1961, India annexed it as the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli . The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 reorganised
1782-489: The kingdom's economy around, and the drylands of Jaisalmer remained backward compared with other regions of Rajputana , especially the neighbouring state of Jodhpur . Nonetheless, the extensive water storage and supply, sanitation, and health infrastructures developed in the 1930s by the prime minister Brijmohan Nath Zutshi provided significant relief during the severe droughts of 1941 and 1951. During 1930–1947, Jawahir Singh and his ministers also promoted technical education and
1836-547: The land at their expense or if the land belongs to me transfer it to them on such terms as may be agreed, or, in default of agreement, determined by an arbitrator to be appointed by the Chief Justice of India. 7. Nothing in this Instrument shall be deemed to commit me in any way to acceptance of any future constitution of India or to fetter my discretion to enter into arrangements with the Government of India under any such future constitution. 8. Nothing in this Instrument affects
1890-484: The obligation of ensuring that due effect is given to the provisions of the Act within this state so far as they are applicable therein by virtue of this my Instrument of Accession. 3. I accept the matters specified in the Schedule hereto as the matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature may make laws for this State. 4. I hereby declare that I accede to the Dominion of India, on the assurance that if an agreement
1944-479: The princely states would simply be terminated, effective 15 August 1947. That would leave the princely states completely independent, even though many of them had been dependent on the Government of India for defence, finance, and other infrastructure. With independence, it would then be a matter for each ruler of a state to decide whether to accede to India or Pakistan, independence for princely states ruled out—they would join either India or Pakistan. A standard form
1998-459: The provinces with only territories under direct Crown rule. The latter years of the Indian Empire saw the enactment of the last Government of India Act by the Crown. This act granted full autonomy to Indian provinces. Provincial laws no longer needed the assent of the governor-general. This act created the office of a Premier in each province, who functioned as the new head of government and
2052-572: The provinces. However a good number of states were organised into imperial structures called agencies, or residencies. An Agent to the Governor-General (AGG) functioned as the Emperor's representative to all the states in the agency. In 1919, the fourth Government of India was enacted by the Crown. This saw many major changes. The legislatures of the provinces were made elected ones rather than nominated ones. Some provinces were given bicameral legislatures . All provinces were elevated to governorships and all lieutenant governors were made governors. Burma
2106-465: The representative of the Emperor . In addition to these, there were certain territories ruled directly by the Government of India through nominated chief commissioners. These were former independent states annexed to India and since ruled directly by the Supreme Government. A vast majority of the Indian states in the late nineteenth century were, in terms of imperial divisions, organised within
2160-506: The rulers, provided for the accession of states to the Dominion of India (or Pakistan) on three subjects, namely, defence, external affairs and communications. 565 princely states existed in India during the British Raj. These were not parts of British India , having never become possessions of the British Crown , but were tied to the Crown by various treaties and were under the suzerainty of
2214-484: The states based on linguistic lines resulting in the creation of the new states. As a result of this act: Bombay State was split into the linguistic states of Gujarat and Maharashtra on 1 May 1960 by the Bombay Reorganisation Act. The former Union Territory of Nagaland achieved statehood on 1 December 1963. The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 resulted in the creation of Haryana on 1 November and
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2268-536: The temples dedicated to the 16th Tirthankara , Shantinath , and 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanath . There are seven Jain temples in total which are situated within the Jaisalmer fort built during the 12th and 15th centuries. Among these temples, the biggest is the Paraswanath Temple ; the others are Chandraprabhu temple , Rishabdev temple , Shitalnath Temple , Kunthunath Temple , and Shantinath Temple . Known for their exquisite work of art and architecture that
2322-457: The terms thereof, and for the purposes only of the Dominion, exercise in relation to the State of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (hereinafter referred to as "this State") such functions as may be vested in them by or under the Government of India Act, 1935, as in force in the Dominion of India on the 15th day of August, 1947 (which Act as so in force is hereinafter referred to as "the Act"). 2. I hereby assume
2376-552: The territories of the princely states were politically integrated into the new Indian Union . Most were merged into existing provinces. Others were organised into new provinces and states , such as Rajasthan , Himachal Pradesh , Malwa Union , Baghelkhand and Bundelkhand States Union , and Patiala and East Punjab States Union , made up of multiple princely states. A few, including Mysore , Hyderabad , Bhopal , and Bilaspur , became separate states. The new Constitution of India , which came into force on 26 January 1950, made India
2430-415: The transfer of the northern districts of Punjab to Himachal Pradesh . The act designated Chandigarh as a union territory and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969. The north-eastern states of Manipur , Meghalaya and Tripura were formed on 21 January 1972. Mysore State was renamed Karnataka in 1973. On 16 May 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd state of
2484-409: The union government. The Indian Empire was a very complex political entity consisting of various imperial divisions and states and territories of varying autonomy. At the time of its establishment in 1876, it was made up of 584 constituent states and the directly ruled territories of the Crown . The entire empire was divided into provinces and agencies. A province consisted of territory under
2538-501: Was given a special status and made an autonomous province. The Chamber of Princes was established by Emperor George V in 1920. One of the major consequences of this was the creation of many more agencies from the states of the provinces, thus granting them direct relations with the Emperor instead of with the Governors. This saw the separation of all the states from the provinces and addition to before-mentioned agencies. This left all
2592-417: Was predominant in the medieval era the temples are built out of yellow sandstone and have intricate engravings on them. Jaisalmer has some of the oldest libraries of India which contain the rarest of the manuscripts and artefacts of Jain tradition. There are many pilgrimage centres around Jaisalmer such as Lodhurva Jain temple (Lodarva), Amarsagar, Brahmsar and Pokharan . Desert Festival of Jaisalmer
2646-578: Was renamed Odisha in 2011. Telangana was created on 2 June 2014 from ten former districts of north-western Andhra Pradesh . In August 2019, the Parliament of India passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 , which contains provisions to reorganise the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories; Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh , effective from 31 October 2019. Later that year in November,
2700-399: Was responsible to the provincial legislature. Bengal, Madras and Bombay which had been till now styled Presidencies, were now officially styled as provinces. The provinces of Orissa and Sind were created from Bihar and Bombay respectively. The Province of Burma which had previously functioned as an autonomous province of India was now separated from the Indian Empire, and established as
2754-492: Was separated in 1878 and merged with Oudh . The Bengal Presidency was re-established in 1912 as a governorship. All these provinces had their own legislatures established by the Indian Councils Acts, and high courts established by Indian High Courts Acts. Laws passed by these legislatures needed the dual assent of the governor or lieutenant-governor of the province and the governor-general of India , who functioned as
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#17328447988782808-481: Was the legal document designed to bring about accession, where a ruler had decided upon it. It was executed by the rulers of each of the princely states, individually, on the one hand, but took effect only if then accepted by the Government of India or the Government of Pakistan . Among the more momentous of such accessions was that concerning Jammu and Kashmir , as executed on 26 October 1947 by Maharaja Hari Singh , ruler of Jammu and Kashmir . It gave control of
2862-593: Was the new capital founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal and the state took its name from the capital. On 11 December 1818 Jaisalmer became a British protectorate in the Rajputana Agency . Traditionally, in the Middle Ages, the main source of income for the kingdom was levies on caravans , but the economy was heavily affected when Bombay emerged as a major port and sea trade replaced the traditional land routes. Ranjit Singh and Bairi Sal Singh attempted to turn around
2916-450: Was used: Instrument of Accession of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Whereas, the Indian Independence Act, 1947, provides that as from the fifteenth day of August, 1947, there shall be set up an independent Dominion known as INDIA, and that the Government of India Act, 1935, shall, with such omissions, additions, adaptations and modification as the Governor-General may by order specify be applicable to
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