HISTORY OF JAISALMER
 Jaisalmer
is situated in the western most part of the state of Rajasthan,
the heart of the great Thar Desert. Its neighbouring Pakistan
on its western side. Legend has its that Rawal Jaisal laid
the foundation of the city in 1156 A.D. . Over the years the
remote location of Jaisalmer kept it almost untouched by outside
influences & even during the days of Raj,Jaisalmer was the
last sign of the instrument of agreement with the British.
Jaisalmer is a marvel of beautiful culture & harsh climate
conditions, together amounting to a memorable experience.
MONUMENTS TO VISIT
Jaisalmer Fort- An apt description
of the Jaisalmer fort, one of the finest in the country
but one which looks rather incongruous given the desolation
around it. Located bang in the middle of the Thar desert
(literal meaning abode of the dead), it rises like a mirage
from the sands, with its huge turrets pointing skywards.
Built in 1156, Jaisalmer is the second oldest of Rajasthan
major forts after Chittorgarh. Constructed by Raja Jaisal,
who was searching for a new capital as the earlier one Lodurva
was too vulnerable to invasions, he built the fort and the
city surrounding it, thus fulfilling Lord Krishna's prophecy
in the Mahabharata. It has all the romance and suspense
of a Hitchcockian mystery. You half expect an invading army
to march up to the castle, over its enormous paved flagstones,
while those defending the fort shoot missiles at them from
the ramparts. Suffice to say the Jaisalmer fort is one of
the marvels of Rajasthani architecture, particularly of
the stone-carver's art.
Patwa Havelies- This is one of the largest
and most elaborate Haveli in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow
lane. It is five storeys high and is extensively carved.
It is divided into six apartments, two owned by archaeological
Survey of India, two by families who operate craft-shops
and two private homes. There are remnants of paintings on
some of the inside walls as well as some mirror work.
Salim Singh's Haveli- This haveli was built
about 300 years ago and a part of it is still occupied.
Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the
capital of the princely state and his mansion has a beautifully
arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of Peacocks.
The mansion is just below the hill and it is said that once
it had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make
it as high as the maharaja's palace, but the maharaja had
the upper storey torn down.
Nathmal's haveli- Two architect brothers
built it in the 19th century. Interestingly, while one concentrated
on the right, the other concentrated on the left and the
result is a symphony epitomizing the side by side symmetry
during construction. Paintings in miniature style monopolies
the walls in the interior. Mighty tuskers carved out of
yellow sandstone stand guard to the haveli.
Madir Palace (Tazia Tower)- The delicate
pagoda like Tazia Tower rises from Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace).
Rising in its five-tiered splendour, with each storey graced
by a delicately carved balcony, the tower is of historical
significance. Muslim craftsmen built it in the shape of
a Tazia and gifted it to their royal patron
Godisagar Lake- This tank, south of the city walls,
once held the town water supply, and befitting its importance
in providing precious water to the inhabitants of this arid
city, it is surrounded by small temples and shrines. The
beautiful yellow sandstone gateway arching across the road
down to the tank is the Tilon-ki-Pol, and is said to have
been built by a famous prostitute, Tilon . When she offered
to pay to have this gateway constructed, the Maharaja refused
permission under it to go down to the tank and he felt that
this would be beneath his dignity. While he was away, she
built the gate, adding a Krishna temple on top so that king
could not tear it down.
LANGUAGE Hindi, English, Marwari.
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