57-453: Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer , in the Indian state of Rajasthan . It is one of the very few "living forts" in the world (such as Carcassonne , France ), as nearly one fourth of the old city's population still resides within the fort. For the better part of its 860-year history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer. The first settlements outside the fort walls, to accommodate
114-683: 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,
171-543: A phenomenal growth in both human and vehicular traffic. Major restoration work has been undertaken by the World Monuments Fund and UK based charity Jaisalmer in Jeopardy. According to former INTACH chairman S.K. Misra, American Express has provided more than $ 1 million for the conservation of Jaisalmer Fort. The absence of coordinated action among the various government departments responsible for civic amenities,
228-450: A resident population of about 4,000 people who are largely descended from the Brahmin and Rajput communities. These two communities once served as the workforce for the fort's one time Bhati rulers, which service then entitled the workers to reside on the hilltop and within the walls of the fort. With the slow increase in the area's population, many of the town's residents gradually relocated to
285-471: 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 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
342-399: 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 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
399-482: 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
456-482: 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
513-553: 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. Jaisalmer Jaisalmer (pronunciation) , nicknamed The Golden city , is a city in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan , located 575 kilometres (357 mi) west of
570-479: 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 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
627-452: 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
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#1733086042630684-400: 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
741-567: Is today located along the southern edge of the city that bears its name; its dominant hilltop location making the sprawling towers of its fortifications visible for many miles around. In 2013, at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh , Cambodia , Jaisalmer Fort, along with five other forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan . Legend has it that
798-493: The Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress), a detective novel, based on the fort and he later filmed it here. The film became a classic and a large number of tourists from Bengal and around the world visit the fort annually to experience for themselves the world that Ray portrayed in the movie. Six forts of Rajasthan, namely, Amber Fort , Chittor Fort , Gagron Fort , Jaisalmer Fort, Kumbhalgarh and Ranthambore Fort were included in
855-615: The UNESCO World Heritage Site list during the 37th meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh during June 2013. They were recognized as a serial cultural property and examples of Rajput military hill architecture. The Jaisalmer Fort today faces manifold threats that are a result of the increasing population pressure on it. Water seepage, inadequate civic amenities, derelict houses and seismic activity around
912-516: 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 was the new capital founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal and
969-481: 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, the Hindu Shahis of Afghanistan made an alliance with
1026-415: 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
1083-548: 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
1140-496: 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
1197-615: The Trikuta Hill are some of the major concerns impacting the fort. Unlike most other forts, the Jaisalmer Fort has been built over a weak sedimentary rock foothill which makes its foundations especially vulnerable to seepage. Over the years this has led to the collapse of significant portions of the fort such as the Queen's Palace or Rani Ka Mahal and parts of the outer boundary wall and the lower pitching walls. The World Monuments Fund included
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#17330860426301254-552: 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
1311-502: 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
1368-518: 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 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
1425-454: 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 ,
1482-403: 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 ,
1539-501: 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
1596-501: 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
1653-418: The continued strategic importance of Jaisalmer was demonstrated during the 1965 and 1971 wars between India and Pakistan. Even though the town of Jaisalmer no longer serves as an important trading city, or as a major military post, the town is still able to earn revenues as a major tourist destination. Initially, the entire population of Jaisalmer lived within the fort, and today the old fort still retains
1710-471: 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
1767-416: 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
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1824-615: 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
1881-511: 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
1938-496: The death of Mulraj in 1820, his grandson Gaj Singh inherited control of the fort. With the advent of British rule , the emergence of maritime trade and the growth of the port of Bombay led to the gradual economic decline of Jaisalmer. After independence and the Partition of India , the ancient trade route was totally closed, thus permanently removing the city from its former role of importance in international commerce. Nonetheless,
1995-422: 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
2052-422: 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
2109-461: The end of the siege, facing certain defeat, the Bhati Rajput women committed ' Jauhar ', and the male warriors under the command of Mularaja met their fatal end in battle with the Sultan's forces. For a few years after the successful siege, the fort remained under the sway of Delhi Sultanate , before being eventually reoccupied by some surviving Bhatis. During Rawal Lunakaran's reign, around 1530–1551 CE,
2166-427: The foot of the Trikuta Hill. From there the town's population has since largely spread out well beyond the old walls of the fort, and into the adjacent valley below. The fort is 1,500 ft (460 m) long and 750 ft (230 m) wide and is built on a hill that raises above a height of 250 ft (76 m) above the surrounding countryside. The base of the fort has a 15 ft (4.6 m) tall wall forming
2223-431: The fort in its 1996 World Monuments Watch and again in the 1998 and 2000 reports due to the threats posed to it by an increase in its resident population and the increasing numbers of tourists who visit it every year. The fort is one of Rajasthan 's most popular tourist attractions with as many as five to six hundred thousand tourists visiting it annually. As a result, it is abuzz with commercial activities and has seen
2280-464: The fort was attacked by an Afghan chief Amir Ali. When it seemed to the Rawal that he was fighting a losing battle, he slaughtered his womenfolk as there was insufficient time to arrange a jauhar . Tragically, reinforcements arrived immediately after the deed was done and the army of Jaisalmer became victorious in its defence of the fort. In 1541 CE, Rawal Lunakaran also fought Mughal emperor Humayun when
2337-481: The fort was built by Rawal Jaisal , a Bhati Rajput, in 1156 CE. The story says that it superseded an earlier construction at Lodhruva , with which Jaisal was unsatisfied and thus, a new capital was established when Jaisal founded the city of Jaisalmer. Around 1299 CE, Rawal Jait Singh I faced a long siege by Alauddin Khalji of Delhi Sultanate , who is said to have been provoked by a Bhati raid on his treasure caravan. By
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2394-455: The fort's outermost ring, within its triple ringed defence architecture. The fort's upper bastions or towers form a defensive inner-wall perimeter that is about 2.5 mi (4.0 km) long. The fort now incorporates 99 bastions, of which 92 were built or substantially rebuilt between the period of 1633–47. The fort also has four fortified entrances or gates from the townside, one of which was once guarded by cannon. Other points of interest within
2451-458: The fort's walls and grounds include: The fort has an ingenious drainage system called the ghut nali which allows for the easy drainage of rainwater away from the fort in all four directions of the fort. Over the years, haphazard construction activities and building of new roads has greatly reduced its effectiveness. The fort has numerous eateries, including Italian, French and native cuisines . The famous Indian film director Satyajit Ray wrote
2508-473: The growing population of Jaisalmer, are said to have come up in the 17th century. Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan, built in 1156 AD by the Rawal (ruler) Jaisal from whom it derives its name, and stood at the crossroads of important trade routes (including the ancient Silk road ). The fort's massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to honey-gold as
2565-489: 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
2622-489: 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
2679-533: The latter attacked the fort on his way to Ajmer. He also offered his daughter in marriage to Akbar. Mughals controlled the fort until 1762. The fort remained under the control of Mughals until 1762, when Maharawal Mulraj took control of the fort. The treaty between the East India Company and Mulraj on 12 December 1818 allowed the Mulraj to retain control of the fort and provided for protection from invasion. After
2736-548: The local municipality and the Archaeological Survey that is responsible for the upkeep of the fort is a major impediment in its maintenance and restoration. Jaisalmer 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
2793-413: 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 the Bhati clan of Rajputs . Jaisalmer stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is crowned by the World Heritage Site , Jaisalmer Fort ,
2850-537: 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
2907-515: The sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason it is also known as the Swarn Durg, Sonar Quila or Golden Fort . The name Sonar Quila (Bengali for Golden Fortress) was popularized by tourists after famous Bengali film of the same name , that was shot in this fort by eminent filmmaker Satyajit Ray . The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill, hence also known as Trikutgarh . It
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#17330860426302964-536: 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
3021-476: 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
3078-411: 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 the city's historic fortification and its royal heritage. The term "Mer" or "Meru" is of Sanskrit origin, signifying
3135-417: 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
3192-417: 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
3249-483: 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
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