Location of Jaisalmer Fort, History of Jaisalmer Fort, Architecture of Jaisalmer Fort, Attractions of Jaisalmer Fort.
Location of Jaisalmer Fort:
This is one of the largest Forts in India and is also known as the ‘Golden Fort’ or the ‘Sonar Qila’. It is located on the top of the triangular-shaped Trikuta Hill in Jaisalmer City, District Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
History of Jaisalmer Fort:
It was built in 1156 A.D. by Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal when he shifted his Capital from Lodurva to Jaisalmer on the advice of a local hermit named Eesaal. It soon became famous because of its strategic location on the ancient main trade route linking India to Egypt and Arabia. It was attacked by Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji in the late 13th Century A.D. who captured the Fort, killed its ruler Rawal Jethsi and his son, leading to the first Jauhar (self immolation on husband’s pyre) by the ladies of the Fort. He retained the Fort for 9 consecutive years. Thereafter, it was regained by the surviving Bhatti Rajputs.
The Fort was again attacked in the late 14th Century A.D. by Sultan Ferozeshah Tughluq which led to the death of its ruler, his son and the second Jauhar. In the 15th Century A.D., the Bhatti Rajputs reoccupied it. It was attacked again in the 16th Century A.D. by Amir Ali, an Afghan Pathan chieftain which led to half Jauhar (the ladies of the Fort were killed by the menfolk due to no time left to arrange funeral pyre). However, this time the invader was defeated and its ruler Rawal Lunakaran managed to retain the Fort.
Architecture & Attractions of Jaisalmer Fort:
The Fort lies at a height of 76 m. above the City level, has three-layered 30 feet high crenallated rampart walls with a pathway in between them with sharp turns. The rampart wall has 99 bastions made of stone, out of which 92 were built by the later rulers between 1633-1647 A.D. and four huge gateways known as Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. The Suraj Pol and the Ganesh Pol have an image of Lord Sun and Lord Ganesha respectively at the top. The last gate named Hawa Pol leads to the Dussehra Chowk. The Fort encloses a whole township that comprises of numerous palace complexes, a number of wells, the intricately carved havelis built by rich merchants, several Temples, the residential complexes of the armies and traders and the market place known as Manek Chowk.
The Major Attractions inside the Fort are :
- Jain Temples
- Lakshminath Temple
- Five Palaces – These are known as Sarvottam Vilas, Akhai Vilas, Gaj Mahal, Rang Mahal and Moti Mahal. All these Palaces are interconnected and have beautifully carved jali screens to protect the interiors from the raging desert storms and scorching heat. These are ornamented with delicate and extremely beautiful murals painted on their arches and spandrels.
- Raj Mahal – This royal palace lies near Hawa Pol and was once the residence of the royal family, but now has been converted into a Museum.
- Havelis – These were built of yellow sandstone by the merchants during the reign of Bhatti Rajputs. Some of the havelis are multi-storied, have many rooms and are adorned with beautiful screen windows, delicate pavilions, archways, doors and ornate balconies. The most notable havelis are the Vyas Haveli which was built in the 15th Century A.D. and is still occupied by the descendants and the Shreenath Haveli which was the residence of the then Prime Minister of Jaisalmer.
- Shopper’s Paradise – The Fort is called so because of the presence of some major shops inside it which include Sadar Bazaar, Sonaron ki Bass, Manek Chowk, Pansari Bazaar, Gandhi Darshan, Seema Gram and various Rajasthani Government Shops. All the art and craft items displaying the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan are available here. Hence, it is great place to experience the beauty of the Rajasthan State.
One peculiar feature of the Fort is the device on top of its ramparts which was used to forecast the weather. Every year in the month of April a flag was hoisted in its centre and, based on the direction in which it blew, the weather for the entire year was forecast. Another interesting thing about this Fort is that about 25% of the population of Jaisalmer City resides in this Fort and hence, this Fort is sometimes named as the living Fort.
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