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Vacation Rajasthan |
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Rajasthan
is where all the country's similes and metaphors appear to have come together.
Sand dunes, wooded hills and amazing lakes, palaces and rugged forts,
men and women in colorful turbans and skirts, bustling towns and quiet
villages, camels, elephants and tigers, harsh sunlight and the cool evening
breeze - are all there in abundance.
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| Jaisalmer
Travel Guide » Places To See » How to Reach Jaisalmer » General Information » Shopping » Fairs & Festivals » Excursion |
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 15 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 and cess 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. | Rajasthan Heritage Hotels | Rajasthan Palaces | Luxury Hotels & Resorts In Rajasthan |
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