Situated in the western corner of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is a desert town surrounded by golden colored sand. Also known as “Golden City of India”, Jaisalmer is one of the most popular tourist destination of the state. The city is situated in proximity to the India and Pakistan border as well as Thar Desert. The Jaisalmer city is also known for its old mansions, better known as Havelis. The Jaisalmer city is a prominent educational as well as cultural hub in the region and regularly showcases the vivid cultural aspects of Rajasthan. The city offers exhilarating camel safaris in its striking sand dunes of the immeasurable Thar Desert. Its rich cultural heritage, art & craft, colorful festivals makes it one of the most sought after travel destinations of Rajasthan by both domestic and international tourists.
Geography and Climate
Jaisalmer covers an area of 5.1 km2 (2.0 sq mi). It is located 26.92° N 70.9° E and has an average elevation of 229 metres (751 ft). The maximum summer temperature is around 41.6 °C (106.9 °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 7.9 °C (46.2 °F). The average rainfall is 209.5 millimetres (8.25 in). Highest ever recorded temperature was 48.0 °C (118.4 °F) and the lowest ever recorded temperature being −5.9 °C (21.4 °F). Jaisalmer is almost entirely a sandy waste, forming a part of the Thar Desert. The general aspect of the area is that of an interminable sea of sand hills, of all shapes and sizes, some rising to a height of 150 feet (46 m). Those in the west are covered with log bushes, those in the east with tufts of long grass.
Water is scarce, and generally brackish; the average depth of the wells is said to be about 250 feet (76 m). There are no perennial streams, and only one small river, the Kakni, which, after flowing a distance of 48 kilometres (30 mi), spreads over a large surface of flat ground, and forms Lake Orjhil ("The Bhuj-Jhil"). The climate is dry and healthy. Throughout Jaisalmer only rain crops, such as bajra, jawar, motif, til, etc., are grown; spring crops of wheat, barley, etc., are very rare. Owing to the scant rainfall, irrigation is almost unknown.
Demographics
As of the 2001 census Jaisalmer had a population of 58,286. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Jaisalmer has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 50%. In Jaisalmer, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.
History of Jaisalmer
Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati clan founded Jaisalmer in 1156 as a replacement for his less easily defensible capital at Lodurva. Constant wars with Jodhpur and Bikaner followed, as did conflict with the sultans of Delhi. In 1298, a seven-year siege of the fort by the forces of Ala-ud-Din Khalji ended when the men of the city rode out to their deaths while the women committed johar – although the Bhatis soon resumed their rule. The city was again besieged by Sultanate forces in 1326, resulting in another desperate act of johar, but Gharsi Bhati managed to negotiate the return of his kingdom as a vassal state of Delhi, after which it remained in Bhati hands. In 1570 the ruler of Jaisalmer married one of his daughters to Akbar’s son, cementing an alliance between Jaisalmer and the Mughal Empire.
Its position on the overland route between Delhi and Central Asia made it an important entrepôt for goods such as silk, opium and spices, and the city grew rich on the proceeds, as the magnificent havelis of its merchants bear witness. However, the emergence of Bombay and Surat as major ports meant that overland trade diminished, and with it Jaisalmer’s wealth. The death-blow came with Partition, when Jaisalmer’s life-line trade route was severed by the new, highly sensitive Pakistani border. The city took on renewed strategic importance during the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, and it is now a major military outpost, with jet aircraft regularly roaring past the fortifications.
Culture of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer city displays the rich and vivid culture of the state and is recognized all over the globe. The culture of the city has made great contribution to the rich culture of the Rajputs. The various facets like heroism, staunchness, and gallantry has also made the part of rich culture of Jaisalmer. Thus, there is clear reflection of the cultural exuberance in the cuisines, lifestyle, dance and music. Adding life to the culture of Jaisalmer, the feats, festivals and fairs also play an important role. Music and Dance in Jaisalmer is an essential part of the rich culture of the local aboriginal population of the place. The folk songs and folk dance of Jaisalmer bears remnants of the unique cultural heritage and traditional legacy of the past era that has infiltrated to the modern times.
Tourist Places in Jaisalmer
The golden rays of the setting sun, the colourfully decorated locals, the huge forts and mansions, the extremely fascinating craftsmanship, Rajput havelis, these entire make Jaisalmer a place of must visit in Rajasthan. Some of the important places of tourist interest are:
Transportation
Jaisalmer is the terminus of a Broad gauge branch railway of Indian Railways, which joins with the main system at Jodhpur. The city has a scheduled stop of the luxury train Palace on Wheels, which offers a luxury tour of the state. In the past, Kingfisher Airlines provided flights during the time of the Desert Festival, but due to an expired license, this service has been discontinued. Apart from this, there are no other regular or direct air services in the city. Jaisalmer is well-connected by road and several sleeper and sitting buses operates between Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Barmer, Bikaner throughout the year.
Geography and Climate
Jaisalmer covers an area of 5.1 km2 (2.0 sq mi). It is located 26.92° N 70.9° E and has an average elevation of 229 metres (751 ft). The maximum summer temperature is around 41.6 °C (106.9 °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 7.9 °C (46.2 °F). The average rainfall is 209.5 millimetres (8.25 in). Highest ever recorded temperature was 48.0 °C (118.4 °F) and the lowest ever recorded temperature being −5.9 °C (21.4 °F). Jaisalmer is almost entirely a sandy waste, forming a part of the Thar Desert. The general aspect of the area is that of an interminable sea of sand hills, of all shapes and sizes, some rising to a height of 150 feet (46 m). Those in the west are covered with log bushes, those in the east with tufts of long grass.
Water is scarce, and generally brackish; the average depth of the wells is said to be about 250 feet (76 m). There are no perennial streams, and only one small river, the Kakni, which, after flowing a distance of 48 kilometres (30 mi), spreads over a large surface of flat ground, and forms Lake Orjhil ("The Bhuj-Jhil"). The climate is dry and healthy. Throughout Jaisalmer only rain crops, such as bajra, jawar, motif, til, etc., are grown; spring crops of wheat, barley, etc., are very rare. Owing to the scant rainfall, irrigation is almost unknown.
Demographics
As of the 2001 census Jaisalmer had a population of 58,286. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Jaisalmer has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 50%. In Jaisalmer, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.
History of Jaisalmer
Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati clan founded Jaisalmer in 1156 as a replacement for his less easily defensible capital at Lodurva. Constant wars with Jodhpur and Bikaner followed, as did conflict with the sultans of Delhi. In 1298, a seven-year siege of the fort by the forces of Ala-ud-Din Khalji ended when the men of the city rode out to their deaths while the women committed johar – although the Bhatis soon resumed their rule. The city was again besieged by Sultanate forces in 1326, resulting in another desperate act of johar, but Gharsi Bhati managed to negotiate the return of his kingdom as a vassal state of Delhi, after which it remained in Bhati hands. In 1570 the ruler of Jaisalmer married one of his daughters to Akbar’s son, cementing an alliance between Jaisalmer and the Mughal Empire.
Its position on the overland route between Delhi and Central Asia made it an important entrepôt for goods such as silk, opium and spices, and the city grew rich on the proceeds, as the magnificent havelis of its merchants bear witness. However, the emergence of Bombay and Surat as major ports meant that overland trade diminished, and with it Jaisalmer’s wealth. The death-blow came with Partition, when Jaisalmer’s life-line trade route was severed by the new, highly sensitive Pakistani border. The city took on renewed strategic importance during the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, and it is now a major military outpost, with jet aircraft regularly roaring past the fortifications.
Culture of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer city displays the rich and vivid culture of the state and is recognized all over the globe. The culture of the city has made great contribution to the rich culture of the Rajputs. The various facets like heroism, staunchness, and gallantry has also made the part of rich culture of Jaisalmer. Thus, there is clear reflection of the cultural exuberance in the cuisines, lifestyle, dance and music. Adding life to the culture of Jaisalmer, the feats, festivals and fairs also play an important role. Music and Dance in Jaisalmer is an essential part of the rich culture of the local aboriginal population of the place. The folk songs and folk dance of Jaisalmer bears remnants of the unique cultural heritage and traditional legacy of the past era that has infiltrated to the modern times.
Tourist Places in Jaisalmer
The golden rays of the setting sun, the colourfully decorated locals, the huge forts and mansions, the extremely fascinating craftsmanship, Rajput havelis, these entire make Jaisalmer a place of must visit in Rajasthan. Some of the important places of tourist interest are:
- Jaisalmer Fort
- Tazia Tower
- Patwon-Ki-Haveli
- Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli
- Akal Wood Fossil Park
- Desert National Park
- Jain Temples
- Patwon Ki Haveli
- Salim Singhji Ki Haveli
- Nathmalji Ki Haveli
- Gadisar Lake
- Tilon Ki Pol
- Government Museum
- Sanskritik Sangrahalay
Transportation
Jaisalmer is the terminus of a Broad gauge branch railway of Indian Railways, which joins with the main system at Jodhpur. The city has a scheduled stop of the luxury train Palace on Wheels, which offers a luxury tour of the state. In the past, Kingfisher Airlines provided flights during the time of the Desert Festival, but due to an expired license, this service has been discontinued. Apart from this, there are no other regular or direct air services in the city. Jaisalmer is well-connected by road and several sleeper and sitting buses operates between Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Barmer, Bikaner throughout the year.
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