Medieval history

The Bhati kingdom, marked as Multan in 800 CE

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^[10] in modern-day Afghanistan to Sialkot, Lahore and Rawalpindi in modern-day Pakistan^[11] to Bhatinda, Muktsar and Hanumangarh in modern-day India.^[12] The empire crumbled over time because of continuous invasions from the central Asia. According to Satish Chandra, 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.^[13] 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.^[14] Jaisalmer was the new capital founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal and the state took its name from the capital.

Jaisalmer Fort, built in 1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal.

Modern history

On 11 December 1818 Jaisalmer became a British protectorate in the Rajputana Agency.^[15][14]

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 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 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 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.

Jailsalmer State (orange) within Rajputana (yellow), 1909.

Jaisalmer Flag

Climate

Jaisalmer, being an arid desert region, is prone to extremes in terms of temperature. The temperature varies greatly from day to night in both summer and winter. The maximum summer temperature is around 49 °C (120 °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 209.5 millimetres (8.25 in).^[16] The highest ever recorded temperature was 50.0 °C (122.0 °F);^[17] the lowest ever recorded temperature being −5.9 °C (21.4 °F).^[18] Temperatures of up to 52.4 °C (126.3 °F) have been recorded near the international border close to Pakistan, but the standard conditions of this temperature recording remain unverified.^[19]

Jaisalmer Fort

The Jaisalmer fort in Rajasthan.

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 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.

Jain heritage

A number of ornate buildings in Jaisalmer were built by its Jain community, including temples, notably 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 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.

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  Chandraprabhu Jain Temple inside the Jaisalmer Fort
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  Jain Temple inside the Jaisalmer Fort
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  Ceiling of Jain temple inside the Jaisalmer Fort
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  Carving on the wall of Jain Temple, Jaisalmer Fort
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  Jain Haveli architecture
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  Lodhurva Jain temple
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  Parshvantha, Lodhruva Jain Temple

Other

Gadsisar Lake

• Gadisar Lake – Excavated in 1367 by Rawal Gadsi Singh, it is a scenic rainwater lake surrounded by the small temples and shrines of Amar Sagar. Earlier, this lake was used to be the main water source of Jaisalmer. Due to an increased water demand for agriculture, the lake is increasingly threatened with drying up.^[27]
• Bada Bagh, a complex with chhatris of Jai Singh II (d. 1743) and subsequent Maharajas of Jaisalmer
  

  Bada Bagh (Royal Family Cenetophs)

In the neighbourhood

• Jaisalmer War Museum, a solemn tribute to the nation's military heritage and the sacrifices of its soldiers.
• Kuldhara, a ghost village near Jaisalmer

Kuldhara Village

• Tanot Mata, a historical temple near Indo-Pak border.
• Ramdevra, a village in Jaisalmer, is named after Baba Ramdevji, a Tanwar Rajput and a saint who took Samādhi in 1384 CE, at the age of 33 years. He is worshiped today by many social groups of India as Ishta-deva.
• Battle of Longewala point
• Desert National Park
• Lodhruva
• Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School
• Moolchand Ji Ki Prol is an ancient heritage site in Jhinjhinyali village.^[28] Jhinjhinyali is 100 km away from Jaisalmer district headquarters.^[29]

Museums

• Thar heritage museum
• Baa RI Haveli On fort
• Desert Culture Centre & Museum
• Jaisalmer Folklore Museum
• Government Museum
• Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum
• Akal Fossil Park Museum
• Cactus Park Museum, Kuldhara
• Tanot Museum

Desert festival

A jumping camel in Desert Festival

Desert Festival of Jaisalmer 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 the best time to visit Jaisalmer to witness performing arts like Kalbelia dances and folk songs and music.