- Type
- Fortress
- Origins
- 1156 · 12th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Commissioned by
- Rawal Jaisal
- Heritage
- part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (an old town or a valley, for example)
- Coordinates
- 26.9127°, 70.9126°
History
The fortress on Trikuta hill was founded in 1156 by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati clan, who gave his name to the city. Lying on the caravan routes between India, Persia and Central Asia, it grew rich on trade and tolls. In the late 13th century it was besieged by the armies of Alauddin Khalji, and when the defence collapsed the women committed jauhar. In the 19th century the rulers of Jaisalmer signed a treaty with the British and kept their autonomy until India became independent. In 2013 the fort was inscribed on the UNESCO list.
What to see
Walls with 99 bastions enclose a real town of narrow lanes lined with houses, shops and hotels, still home to thousands of people. You can visit the maharawals' palace with its museum and viewing terraces, and a group of intricately carved Jain temples from the 12th–16th centuries. At sunset the sandstone glows a honeyed gold.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q3634368
Popularity: articles about this site in 28 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).