Jaisalmer Fort has the world's largest fortifications. This fort is located in Jaisalmer Fort, which comes in Rajasthan state of India. This is a World Heritage Site. It was constructed by Rajput ruler Raval Jaisal in 1156 AD, hence the name of the fort was also named after him.
Jaisalmer Fort stands on the Trikuta Mountains of the Thar Desert, and there has been quite a history of fighting. In the fort there is a huge yellow yellow sandstone wall. During the daytime the light of this fort is seen in the light golden color. For this reason this fort is also known as Sonar Kila or Golden Fort. This fort is built in the heart of the city and as a historical heritage of Jaisalmer, people come to see this fort.
In 2013, Jaisalmer Fort was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site with 5 Second Kilometers of Rajasthan in the 37th World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh, Colombia.
History of Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort was built in 1156 CE by Raval Jaisal. Jaisal was fooled by the conspiracy made by Sultan of Gaur so that he could save his state from his nephew Bhojdev. Another important incident of the fort happened in 1276 when the King of the Jatsi attacked with the trouble of the Delhi Sultan.
56 The fortification was made by 3700 soldiers. After 8 years of invasion, the army of Sultan destroyed the palace. At that time Bhatio controlled the fort, but he had no means of strength. In the year 1306, he was chosen as the queen of the fort for the bravery of Dudu, to force Rathore out.
And since then they started building the fort. But Rawal could not bear the attack of the Mughal Empire and as a result, he went to the refuge of Akbar in 1570 and married his daughter to him too.
In the medieval period, the city played a major role while dealing with Persia, Arabia, Egypt and Africa. The fort has 3 floors of walls. The outer and lower layer of the fort is made of solid stones. The second and middle layers are made in the form of snakes all around the fort. Once, Rajputa had thrown boiled water and oil over the enemies from the walls and surrounded them between the second and third walls. Thus, for the protection of the fort, 99 of the 99 fortifications were constructed, out of which 92 castes were made between 1633 and 1647.
In the 13th century Alauddin Khilji invaded the fort and acquired it, and for nine years he kept the fort under his control. At the time of the siege of the fort, Rajput women dedicated themselves to jauhar. The second battle of the fort took place in 1541 when Mughal ruler Humayun attacked Jaisalmer.
By 1762 the Mughals had control over the fort, after which the fort was controlled by Maharajal Mulraj. Because the fort was settled on a secluded place, the fort defended the wait of Maratha.
Due to the agreement between the former Indian company and Mulraj, on 12 December 1818, the king was considered to be the successor of the fort and he was also provided security during the attack. After the death of Mulraj in 1820, his grandson, Gaj Singh, took control of his hands.
By the advent of British rule, sea trade started on the Bombay port, this resulted in the development of Bombay, but Jaisalmer's financial condition was fragile. After independence and the partition of India, the ancient trade system was completely closed. But then during the Indo-Pak war in 1965 and 1971, Jaisalmer Fort had proved its greatness.
The Jaisalmer fort is so vast that the whole people can live in that fort and today even 4000 people live there, from which the Brahmins and the Darga community are from Bahat. These people used to work under the supervision of the Bhati rulers and since then they are living in the same fort. But as soon as Jaisalmer's population grew, those people also started living below the Trikuta Mountains.
Jaisalmer Fort Architecture - Jaisalmer Fort
This fort is 1500 feet (460 m) long and 750 feet (230 m) wide and stands at 250 feet (76 m) high mountain. The bastion of the fort is 15 feet long. Fort of fort has built a series of about 30 feet. There are four entrances to the fort from the city, one of which is a towel on the door-
- Raj Palace (Royal Palace)
- Lakshminnath temple
- 4 spacious entrances
- Merchant mansion
The rich traders of Rajasthani cities have also constructed large havells. Some of the havells are more than a decade old. Jaisalmer city has many beautiful and beautiful havillas built of yellow stones.
Some of the havelis have lots of storied and numerous rooms, as well as the windows of the havelis are decorated in a royal fashion and special and charming artwork has been done on the balcony and door. Some of these havals have become museums today but in Jaisalmer's Hauvaliya, there are still families living. One of them is Haveli Vyas Mansion which was built in the 15th century, but still remains there for them.
Talking about another mansion, there is the name of Shri Nath Bhawan, where at some time the Jaisalmer was the chief. Some doors of the Havelis of Jaisalmer remind us of the artworks of the ancient wood.
There is also a magnificent drainage system in the fort which was named Chuva Dali which easily runs the rain water away from the fort in four directions.
Interesting Facts of Jaisalmer Fort
- It was attacked and captured by Allaudin Khilji
- The fort once witnessed a “half Jauhar”
- The fort has three layers of walls
- Jaisalmer Fort was prophesised by Krishna
- The fort blends Muslim and Rajput architecture styles
- The Jaisalmer Fort which is a major landmark is referred to as a “living Fort”.It has people living within the premises eking out a living.Shops are set up for commercial purpose, selling local made products like handicrafts.The Fort is forever bustling with activity as it also accommodates hotels and age old haveli.
- Built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rao Jaisal, after whom it was named, the Jaisalmer Fort stands tall on the Trikuta Hill.It has witnessed many epic battles that are inscribed on its walls.
- At Dawn, the massive yellow sandstone walls are bathed in honey colored yellow sheen. The golden sun rays cast a camouflage on the Fort, making it invisible against the expanse of the yellow desert.
- The locals address it as the ‘Sonar quila’ with the yellow sand dunes surrounding the Fort.The ambience is just perfect for desert safari, camel rides and jeep safari. The cascading grains of sand weave a magical illusion, creating ripples in the sand making sand surfing a thrilling adventure.
- Satyajit Ray, the famous Indian film director wrote a detective novel based on the Fort and later turned it into a film – Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress).
- A photographer’s delight, the locales spell austere beauty in stark contrast to the desolate landscape.The Fort has other attractions inside like the Raj Mahal (Royal palace), Jain temples and Laxminath temple.
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