Rawal Jaisal established the princely state of Jaisalmer, and the city is famous worldwide for its landmark, the enormous Golden Sandstone Fort. People may get the ultimate desert safari experience via the city, which is situated in the southern section of the Thar Desert. The city of Jaisalmer is renowned for its legendary warriors, and the surrounding area is said to be the land of endurance due to the fact that several monarchs have passed through it, each with their own fascinating narrative to add to Jaisalmer’s rich history.
As a result of its association with royalty, the city of Jaisalmer flourished as a commercial hub. Exploring the city’s beautiful Havelis and ascending the golden sand dunes are great ways to get a feel for the city’s cultural heritage.
Travelers will never forget their time in Jaisalmer since the city’s rich history is evident in every corner.
History
In 1156, Rawal Jaisal Singh, a Bhatti leader, formed the kingdom of Jaisalmer and declared Jaisalmer Fort its capital. In 1293, Jaisalmer was besieged for the first time by Alauddin Khilji after the Bhatti clan seized a convoy full of riches. The fort was leveled when the enemy eventually broke through the walls after a siege that lasted seven years. Another attack on Jaisalmer was undertaken by Sultan Ferozshah. The monarchs of Jaisalmer’s raid on Feroz Shah’s camp at Ajmer also started this attack.
Following Duda’s death, his descendants governed the state for a long time. These same people also fought throughout Humayun’s reign. After coming to see Shah Jahan of the Mughals as superior, Rawal Sahal Singh changed Jaisalmer’s fate. After Shah Jahan’s death, Jaisalmer was controlled by a nobleman called Sabala Simha. During this period, the Jaisalmer princes were at the height of their authority, but by the time Rawal Mulraj ascended to the throne in 1762, the kingdom had lost its territories and wealth.
Until Mulraj allied himself politically with the British in 1818, the rulers of the Bhatti clan ruled Jaisalmer. The kingdom was on the verge of collapse at that point. Even now, Bhatti’s descendants are heavily active in the development of the region and its surrounding areas. At this time, Brijraj Singh is considered a descendant.
Culture
For travelers traveling from far and wide, Jaisalmer has quickly risen to the top of India’s tourism bucket list.
One gets introduced to the different cultures of Rajasthan in the unique country of Jaisalmer. Located in the middle of the desert, this city was originally thought to have little chance of survival. However, the city’s fortunes have turned around today.
Tourists were enticed by Jaisalmer’s genuineness and customary ancient customs. The colors, the decorations, the standards of society, the handicrafts, the peasant life, and the princes’ lifestyles, everything in and around the city became its distinguishing feature. The locals’ pleasant, welcoming, and genuinely caring attitude and demeanor are another draw for travelers. Tourists are guaranteed nothing less than a fantastic experience here, thanks to the infectious optimism.
In Jaisalmer, one may hear the strains of the classic Rajasthani folk music which are primarily ballads, dubbed as “Rasos”, honoring the monarchs for their valiant acts.
Fairs and festivals
The cultural life of Jaisalmer revolves around its fairs and festivals. People celebrate the festivities with a lot of energy and joy. The Jaisalmer people celebrate the desert holiday in the same way as they have for generations. Jaisalmer is well-known for its folk music and dancing. It is common practice to use instruments while singing folk songs. One unique experience for visitors is the performance by locals. Kalbeliya, ghumar, and Katputhli are a few of the significant dances. Snake charmers execute the Kalbeliya dance while dressed in long, often black skirts. The dancers in this performance time their movements to the rhythm of the drums.
Among the many notable acts that visitors enjoyed during the desert festivities were camel racing, turban tying, tug of war, and long mustache contests. The festival producers present an award to the camel that is best dressed during the event. At festival cultural nights, you may hear traditional music and dance performed by local artists.
Every year, millions of visitors go to Jaisalmer, a city in Rajasthan, to see its world-renowned forts, vibrant festivals, rich culture, and much more.
Ways to reach
By road
Travelers may easily reach Jaisalmer from any of Rajasthan’s main towns. You may charter buses or taxis and take them down to Jaisalmer.
By rail
In addition to Delhi, Jodhpur, Alwar, Ajmer, and Bikaner, direct trains also depart from Jaipur. In Jaisalmer, even the palace in a cart makes a pit stop. You may take a train every week from a lot of different cities, including Mumbai, Lucknow, Gaya, Varanasi, and Kolkata.
By air
Jodhpur, about 270 kilometers away, is the closest airport to Jaisalmer. From there, one has the option to take a bus or hail a cab to Jaisalmer. The airport at Jaisalmer is now used only for defense purposes. Commercial planes are not permitted.