|
Jaisalmer
Please call (559) 446 0499 or email brij@indiatravelerusa.com for booking a tour of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is
situated very near to the border of India and Pakistan in western part of
Rajasthan. The area of Jaisalmer is about 3 square miles. The average summer
temperature is around 41.6 degree C in daytime and 25 degree C in the nights.
The average winter temperature is 23.6 degree C in daytime and 7.9 degree C in
the nights. The average annual rainfall is less than 6 inches.
The area
surrounding Jaisalmer is mostly a sandy wasteland in the heart of the great
Indian Thar Desert. An interminable sea of sand dunes and sandy hills, of all
shapes and sizes, some rising up to a height of 150 feet, surround the golden
city. In the east the hills are covered with log bushes and in the west they
have tufts of long grass. Water is scarce, and generally brackish; the average
depth of underground water is about 250 feet. There are no perennial streams,
and only one small river, the Kakni that spreads over a large flat ground, and
forms a lake called the Bhuj Jhil after flowing a distance of 28 miles. The
climate is dry and healthy. Throughout Jaisalmer area only crops like Bajra,
Jowar, Motif and Til etc. can be cultivated while the crops of Wheat and Barley
etc. are very rare. Because of scant rainfall there is virtually no irrigation.
Jaisalmer town
stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone crowned by a fort, which contains the
palace and several ornate Jain temples. Most of the ancient aristocratic
mansions (Havelis) and temples are finely sculpted. It has a population of about
78,000. It is the administrative headquarters of Jaisalmer District.
The majority
of the inhabitants of Jaisalmer are Bhatti Rajputs, who take their name from an
ancestor named Bhatti, a famous warrior from the time when the tribe was living
in Punjab. The clan was driven southwards and found a refuge in the Indian
desert. They made the desert their home. Deoraj, a famous prince of the Bhatti
family, was the founder of the Jaisalmer dynasty who took the title of Rawal
(ruler). 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 CE Rawal Jaisal, a
descendant of Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, founded the city of Jaisalmer.
Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of Deoraj in the sixth generation established the
city of Jaisalmer and constructed the original Fort when he moved from Lodhruva,
his older capital that is a little more than 9 miles in the south east. In 1294
the Bhattis enraged the Sultan Alauddin so much that he sent a powerful army
that ransacked and captured the fort and city. For some time after this incident
the city was quite desolate. The next important ruler was Rawal Sahal Singh, who
made a peace treaty with the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. During this period the
Jaisalmer Rawal rulers were at the height of their influence and power. This
period did not last under the later Rawals and their influence and territory
rapidly declined. In 1818 Rawal Mulraj established relationship with the British
East India Company. Maharawal Saliyahan, born in 1887 succeeded him on the
throne of Jaisalmer in 1891.
Their major
rivals for the control of forts, waterholes, cattle and camels were the two
powerful Rathore Maharajas of Jodhpur and Bikaner. They fought many battles to
control the lucrative silk route. Jaisalmer’s position was strategic because it
was on the traditional trade route used by camel caravans of Indian and Asian
merchants. The route linked India to Central Asia in the north and to Persia,
Arabia, Egypt and Africa in the west.
Medieval
period: Because of its inhospitable location in the middle of a desert,
Jaisalmer escaped direct conquest during the Islamic invasions in India. The
later Rawals were diplomatic and agreed to pay a reasonable annual tribute to
the Islamic Sultans of Delhi. During the reign of Alauddin Khilji, the Bhattis
raided a caravan carrying Sultan’s treasure and provoked him to attack. The
local ballads still sing the praises of Jaisalmer folk who defended the fort for
seven long years until the Islamic enemy forced a breach in the ramparts. Facing
certain defeat, the warriors went out of the fort to fight until death while the
ladies performed Johar – self-immolation to save their honor. Once again the
Jaisalmer Rawals raided the camp of Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlak near Anasagar Lake
in Ajmer. This siege also lasted very long and led to another Johar in Jaisalmer
fort. Jaitsimha’s son, Duda was killed in this attack. His descendents ruled
Jaisalmer for another 200 years. Mughal Emperor Humayun had to fight a battle
with Lunakarna, a descendent of Duda. His son, Mughal Emperor Akbar, started a
policy of reconciliation with Hindu rulers, he married a princess from
Jaisalmer. During the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan, Rawal Sabala Simha, assisted
him in his campaigns in Peshawar frontier and had very good relations
consequently.
Jaisalmer was
one of the last states to sign a treaty with the British. The present descendent
of the former ruling family is Brijraj Singh. Even though he does not rule any
more, he is very influential because of the public welfare projects financed by
his family. In olden days the Rawals grew rich by charging a duty on the
caravans that passed through their territory. When the British developed Mumbai
(Bombay), the land route through the desert was not used any more. Some trade
routes to the Sindh remained functioning in the British Raj. After independence,
because of the wars with Pakistan, Jaisalmer once again gained strategic
importance and became a center of supplies to the army posts on the Pakistan
border nearby. The Rajasthan Canal brought water into this desert area and
revived the economy of the region. With modern roads and railway tracks,
Jaisalmer is well connected with all cities of Rajasthan and Punjab in the
immediate north. Tourism has become a major contributor to the
economy of the city. Jaisalmer is famous for its cobbled streets, strewn with
palaces, forts, temples and Havelis. Almost every house, here, is exquisitely
carved, having filigreed workmanship in stone all over the facades. These
mansions date back from twelfth to fifteenth centuries. Jaisalmer is called the
Museum city. The old city was completely encircled by wall but much of it
is now pulled down sadly for want of building material in recent years. The
massive golden fort, which is the essence of Jaisalmer, is entered through First
Gate. The Bhatia Market is the shopping area right below the hill. The banks,
offices and several shops are also located near the Amar Sagar Gate to the west.
Jaisalmer Fort
was constructed in 1156 by the Bhatti Rawal Jaisal. It is located on Trikuta
Hill and is a silent witness to history’s many fierce battles. Its massive
ramparts turn to a magical honey-gold color during the dawn and dusk. The famous
art film director, Satyajit Ray was inspired to make a film called Sonar Kila
or the golden fort after viewing this majestic fort. This is the only fort in
the world that has never been completely deserted in its entire history. Even
now about a quarter of the population of the city lives inside the ramparts of
the Fort. The Raj Mahal (royal palace), the Jain Temples and the Hindu
Lakshmi Nath Temple are the main attractions inside the fort. There are conservation efforts being made under expert archaeological guidance to preserve the Jaisalmer Fort but the issues of drainage and damage due to water seaping into foundations are still being taken care of. After completion of the conservation work the authorities will be applying for its declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The main
Havelis (aristocratic mansions) in Jaisalmer are:
-
Patwon-ki-Haveli
was built by Guman Chand Patwa and his five sons. This was an affluent
merchant and banker family that had over three hundred trading centers as
far away as Afghanistan and China. This ornate five-storied complex took
fifty years to complete. This is the largest, the most magnificent and
elaborate of Jaisalmer Havelis.
-
Salim Singh-ki-Haveli
was built by the scheming Prime Minister, Salim Singh in 1815. It has a
beautifully arched roof capped with blue cupolas and ornately sculpted
brackets in the form of peacocks.
-
Nathmalji-ki-Haveli
was also built by a Prime Minister of Jaisalmer. Its facade is a riot of
intricate ornamentation with flowers, birds, elephants, soldiers, a bicycle
and even a steam engine used as decorative motifs.
Gadsisar Lake
is
the only rain water lake. It is adorned with an arched gateway. Many small
shrines and temples are festooned all around the lake. It is an ideal picnic
spot, famous for boating.
The nearest
airport is Jodhpur 308 Kilometers or 191 miles away. Jaisalmer airfield is used
by Military. Jaisalmer is connected with Jodhpur by regular train service and a
well maintained highway.
Excursions
from Jaisalmer:
Devikot (40
Kilometers or 25 miles)
Ramdeora (150 Kilometers or 93 miles)
Sam Sand Dunes (42 Kilometers or 26 miles)
Lodhruva (17 Kilometers or 11 miles)
Bada Bagh (6 Kilometers or 4 miles)
Wood Fossil Park (17 Kilometers or 11 miles)
Desert National Park (40 Kilometers or 25 miles)
4-star Hotels:
Taj Rawalkot
Hotel – 31 rooms
Gorbandh
Palace Hotel – 67 rooms
3-star Hotels:
Jawahar Niwas Hotel – 22 rooms
Hotel Rang Mahal – 53 rooms
Heritage Inn – 51 rooms
Himmatgarh Palace – 40 rooms
Mirvana Nature Resort – 30 rooms
Hotel Fort
Rajwada – 65 rooms
Hotel Narayan Niwas – 43 rooms
2-star Hotel:
Hotel Shahi
Palace – 15 rooms (very good reviews)
Distance from
Jaisalmer in Kilometers and Miles:
Khimser: 295 Kilometers or 183 Miles
Agra: 802
Kilometers or 498 Miles
Delhi: 793 Kilometers or 492 Miles
Jaipur: 570 Kilometers or 354 Miles
Ajmer: 439 Kilometers or 273 Miles
Jodhpur: 308 Kilometers or 191 Miles
Udaipur: 574 Kilometers or 356 Miles
Bikaner: 333 Kilometers or 207 Miles
Barmer: 153 Kilometers or 95 Miles
Kota: 640 Kilometers or 397 Miles
|
