History of Jaisalmer City

Jaisalmer, the "Golden City," is located on the westernmost frontier of India in the state of Rajasthan. Close to the Pakistan border, the city (Jaisalmer) is known for its proximity to the Thar Desert. The unforgettable experience is camel safari in the sand dunes of Jaisalmer.

The city is dominated by the Jaisalmer Fort, also known as Sonar Qila (Golden Fort). The Jaisalmer Fort is a living fort, different from most forts in India. There are shops, hotels and age old Havelis (homes) inside the fort area where families have lived for generations.

The History of Jaisalmer has a charm of its own. Jaisalmer has its own glorious past to boast about from all other cities of Rajasthan. History of Jaisalmer draws heavily from the history of the Rajputana. Jaisalmer city is said to be founded by Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal. The raja decide ‘Trikut hill’ as the new site for his fort.

For many years Jaisalmer remained out of bound from the foreign rulers partly because of its location and partly because of its release. Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Turk-Afghan ruler of Delhi laid the siege over the city in mid of Thirteenth century. He was upset with the Bhatti Rajput rulers because they stopped and looted one of his caravans containing royal coffer which was on its way to Sind.

It is said that Duda, the son of Raja Jaisimha, fought fervently in the battle but was beaten after the fierce hand to hand combat. He died fighting. His offspring continued to rule the city. Though they had a pleasant relation with the Mughal rulers in Delhi, they fight unsuccessfully with ruler Humayun. Ruler Shah Jahan gave the right of governance to Sabala Simha, who had the royal patronage and had exposed remarkable valor to win the Battle of Peshawar.