The gold-walled, medieval Indian village of Jaisalmer, rises like a golden
hallucination from the desert. Jaisalmer is the most magical of the desert
cities of Rajasthan. Built out of the local yellow sandstone, as a
fortification against marauders in the 12th century, the walled city is
quietly domestic, but it has a flamboyant history that lies under every
yellow stone. This is a living city of 45,000 inhabitants, some 2,000 of
whom reside within the fort. It is perhaps the world's only fort where
medieval patterns of life still prevail.
History
It's origin can be traced back to when Rawal Jaisal, a Rajput chieftain,
laid the foundations of the fort in this strategic but formidable part of
the desert, a transit point for the caravans from central Asia crossing the
Old Silk Route. Jaisalmer was brought under the Mughal empire by Akbar in
1570. It became a British protectorate in 1818. In 1949 the region was
incorporated into Rajasthan state. It is now a rail terminus and strategic
military post close to the Pakistan border.
Embroidery & Handicraft
Jaisalmer is known for its embroidery and mirror-work, silver jewelery,
durrie rugs and antique silk. And since tourism discovered the ancient city,
for its camel safaris into the desert - under far different circumstances
from the safaris of old.
The dunes of Sam
Under the magic of the full moon the landscape lies bathed in a celestial
light. On a make-shift stage the folk singers begin the programme and within
minutes the atmosphere is charged with magic of musical strains on
instruments typical of the desert. Choicest artistes of international repute
are selected for performance here. The soul of the desert bares itself to
the visitor, with enchanting folk music sung by professionals-Lungas,
Manganiyars.
Jaisalmer Fort
The fort stands about 100 meters over the city and in fact houses a citadel
within its huge ramparts. Walking down the narrow cobbled stone lanes, one
can feel the sheer magic of Jaisalmer. Several entrances called Pols ,
including the Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoota Pol and the Hava Pol guard the
Megh Durbar and the Jawahar Mahal which were occupied by the royal family.
Outside the fort is the main market place called Manek Chowk. From Manek
Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelis are to be
found.
