History of Jaisalmer

The history of Jaisalmer is as fascinating as the city itself. Its history like other cities of Rajasthan is a wonderful narration of the heroic ballads of the Rajput era. The city of Jaisalmer was founded by Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D in midst of the Thar desert. If legends are to be, Raja Jaiswal was given instructions to do so by a local hermit named Eesaal. The Trikut hill was chosen as the new site for his fort by the king as he feared his previous abode at Luderwa (16 km from present Jaisalmer) might more enemies.

Jaisalmer was constantly monitored during medieval period because of its strategic location. It fell on the way of the two most important foreign traded routes linking India with Persia, Egypt, Africa and the west. The Bhatti Rajput rulers being the only guardian of the city, amassed enough wealth through taxes levied on the passing of camel caravans consisting of spices and other gems. Jaisalmer became one of the most powerful states of Rajasthan though it suffered from the deficiency of water. The Gadi Sagar Tank was the only source of warer in the olden days.

Till the 12th century, Jaisalmer was away from any foreign invasion becauses of its location.It was only in the mid- thirteenth century, Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Turk-Afghan ruler of Delhi captured the city for 9 years.

In the modern period, Jaisalmer maintained its toughness. It was the last among the Rajputana royals to sign the 'Instrument of Agreement' with the British Government after a lot of persuasion. When India achieved her Independence in 1947, the royals signed the agreement to remain in independent India. Since then it has flourished into an important tourist destination as well as a cultural nerve centre of the western India.