Jailsalmer fort is one of the most important fort in Rajasthan India. The oldest fort built by Raja Jaisal in the year 1156 AD from whom the fort got its name. It is a famous historical monument which is adjudged as the world heritage site by UNESCO. Built in yellow stand stone, the fort stands tall and look marevellous. The fort is also known as Sonar Quila because of the yellow sandstone walls which get faded to honey gold after sun sets. Raja Jaisal chose trikutta hills to built this huge fort as his earlier fort Luderwal was vulnerable to war.
The Jaisalmer fort was under the control of Ala ud din Khiliji for almost 9 years and survived many Mughals attack. The fort is 250 foot tall and is surrounded by 30 feet long walls all around. The basement of the fort is also has 15 ft wall giving double protection. The fort consists of 99 bastions. The fort is a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The fort consists of four gates namely Hawa Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jawahar Pol, Rang pol.
History of the Jaisalmer Fort
Built in 1156, the Jaisalmer Fort was the creation of Rawal Jaisal, king of the fearsome Bhatti Rajput warriors, and became a focal point for battles between the Bhattis, the Mughals of Delhi and the Rathores of Jaipur.
It was the year 1156 CE that Rawal Jaisal of the Bhatti clan stumbled upon Trikuta Hill and chose it as his capital. There were two major factors that led to this choice –
- The strategic location of the hill. It towered over 250 feet, giving him a good vantage point in the barren desert
- A prophecy by a saint about that hill. He said that it would be the descendant of Lord Krishna who would conquer the hill with his fort.
Jaisalmer also lay on the Silk Road, so rich merchants brought added prosperity to the city. It was an important trading city for centuries: this changed under British rule, although it remains of strategic importance being close to the border with Pakistan.
Within its impressive 30-foot high sandstone walls, which are defended by almost a hundred bastions, lies a labyrinth of buildings such as palaces, homes and temples. The Palace of the Maharawal remains the jewel in the fort’s crown, and now houses a museum. Many of the structures in the Jaisalmer Fort are adorned with intricate mosaics and carved stone, adding to the beauty of this ghostly site.
The Jaisalmer fort was under the control of Ala ud din Khiliji for almost 9 years and survived many Mughals attack. The fort is 250 foot tall and is surrounded by 30 feet long walls all around. The basement of the fort is also has 15 ft wall giving double protection. The fort consists of 99 bastions. The fort is a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The fort consists of four gates namely Hawa Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jawahar Pol, Rang pol.
History of the Jaisalmer Fort
Built in 1156, the Jaisalmer Fort was the creation of Rawal Jaisal, king of the fearsome Bhatti Rajput warriors, and became a focal point for battles between the Bhattis, the Mughals of Delhi and the Rathores of Jaipur.
It was the year 1156 CE that Rawal Jaisal of the Bhatti clan stumbled upon Trikuta Hill and chose it as his capital. There were two major factors that led to this choice –
- The strategic location of the hill. It towered over 250 feet, giving him a good vantage point in the barren desert
- A prophecy by a saint about that hill. He said that it would be the descendant of Lord Krishna who would conquer the hill with his fort.
Jaisalmer also lay on the Silk Road, so rich merchants brought added prosperity to the city. It was an important trading city for centuries: this changed under British rule, although it remains of strategic importance being close to the border with Pakistan.
Within its impressive 30-foot high sandstone walls, which are defended by almost a hundred bastions, lies a labyrinth of buildings such as palaces, homes and temples. The Palace of the Maharawal remains the jewel in the fort’s crown, and now houses a museum. Many of the structures in the Jaisalmer Fort are adorned with intricate mosaics and carved stone, adding to the beauty of this ghostly site.