Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort is a monument worth visiting and worth retaining in your conscious mind. Like various other cities of Rajasthan, in Jaisalmer too you will find different facets of its own glorious heritage. Though you can find historical monuments scattered all over the city, the Jaisalmer Fort will immediately command your attention. Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands.

The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal. The raja choose Trikuta hill as the new site for his fort as his earlier adobe at Luderwa(16 k.m from present Jaisalmer) was too vulnerable to his comfort. But it should always be kept in mind that these legends are most of the time product of conscious minds that are very vulnerable to the oriental exaggeration.

Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan. Two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high; it has 99 bastions, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647. Wells within the fort still provide a regular source of water. Even today, you will find that nearly one fourth of the old city's population resides within the fort. If you are a student of cross-cultural merging, the subtle fusion of Rajput and Islamic architectural styles, visible in this fort, will catch your fancy. Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol are a must see.

History of Jaisalmer Fort
The massive fort was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal around 1156 AD. Standing tall on the Trikuta Hills in sandy expanse of the great thar desert, the Fort has witnessed many battles. The fort is also known as Sonar Qila or olden fort symbolises the dominance of Rajputs. There are many Haveli’s inside the fort which were built by wealthy persons some hundreds of years ago. These Haveli’s are beautifully carved on yellow sand stone. The fort consists of five stories with balconies, countless rooms, decorated windows, doors. The fort consists of five interconnected palaces with jails or jarokhas. The fort has a very good drainage system called as ghut nali which takes away the rain water away from the fort. But however the recent renovation activities have reduced the effectiveness of the system.

Around 1293-94 AD, faced nine year seige by Ala-ud-din Khiliji. By the end of nine years when the defeat was certain the Bhati Rajput women committed "Jauhar" ( mass self immolation by women) and male warrior laid their lives in the severe battle with the sultan. However Bhatis took over the fort again from the sultans but was not able to do any repair work or maintain it. The fort was attacked by the Mughal ruler Humayun in 1341 AD. Due to constant attacks from the Mughals and other rulers the king of Jaislamer signed a treaty with Akbar in 1570 and also offered his daughter in marriage to Akbar.

The fort was under the control of Mughals till 1762 later Maharawal Mulraj took control of the fort. he signed a treaty with East India Company in 1818. He died in 1820 after which his grandson Gaj Singh inherited the property.

Best time to visit
Rajasthan is a very warm state due to the thar desert. the best time to visit the fort is from October to March when the weather remains pleasant and cold in winters. Summers are very difficult to visit as the maximum temperature can go as high as 48 degree celsius and also due to the presence of heat wave.

How to Reach
Jaisalemer is a very important tourists destination in the state of Rajasthan. It is well connected through rail, road and air.
By Air: As Jaisalmer does not have any airport within the city. The nearest airport to Jaislamer is Jodhpur airport which is connected with domestic and international flights from major places and is around 275 kilometers from Jaisalmer.
By Train: Jaisalmer is well connected through trains. The place is well connected through rail from most of the major cities. From the station one can a cab or a taxi to visit the fort.