In the remote desert of Rajasthan , Jaisalmer was one of the medieval towns and an important pathway for traders from Egypt, Persia and Arabia. The caravan travellers traveled en route to the rest of India but with the ports of Bombay opening up to trade, the caravans dwindled. Jaisalmer Fort is the main attraction of Jaisalmer. It is a magnificent and the second oldest fort of Rajasthan. Popularly known as the ‘Sonar Quila’, made famous by filmmaker, Satyajit Ray when he filmed his well-known detective story based on the adventures of Feluda in this mediaeval town. Rawal Jaisal the Rajput chieftain built Jaisalmer Fort in 1156 AD.
It is a five storyed fort encompassing palaces, residential complexes of armies, havelis of merchants and several temples. The rich merchants wielded great power and status in the courts of the Bhatti Rajputs. They built huge mansion of royal style. They appointed skilled craftsmen who worked on the sandstone mansions. Beautiful balconies, screened windows mark the exteriors of the edifices while the interiors are beautifully painted in the typical Rajasthani style
The Jaisalmer fort that protected the palaces and the town of Jaisalmer is two hundred and fifty feet tall strengthened by a grand indented sandstone wall which is 30 feet high.
Heavily fortified the fort has 99 bastions which were built between 1633 and 1647. It stands towering almost 30 meters above the town and circumscribes a vast living area with a huge wall. It has magnificent and towering gates, the Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. The fort appears as a massive sand castle arising from the middle of a vast expanse of arid desert, simmering in the golden sunshine and merging with the yellow sands. You can enjoy the grandeur of the Jaisalmer fort in the winters and avail the enchanting camel rides to explore the dunes of Jaisalmer.
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