Jodhpur

Boasting of its awe-inspiring citadel of staggering architecture the Mehrangarh Fort which takes you/ sways you in the times of Maharaja Era. adorned with intricately carved Palace exteriors designed from excusite Red Sandstone and the spectacular view of the city like waves of blue building’s among the riot of color’s the color blue signifying the house of the Brahmin’s that belonged to the so called upper caste.

Appreciate the diversity from city men to villagers and tribe, all white clothing to an outfit adorned in colours of rainbows, from grand palaces to small mud houses and water ponds in sight to desert all around.The majestic and fierce mustache and friendly faces along with a variety of traditional art as craft is a major source of earning because the crops are not good due to the shortage of waters for cultivation, so crafts and art’s evolved as a major occupations in the desert’s.

 

Jodhpur, the princely state of western Rajasthan which is known as Marwar – the Land of the Dead or the Land of the Desert. Jodpur was one of the big states of former Rajasthan (Rajputana). It cover’s  a major portion of the deserts, which was ruled by the Rathore clans of Rajputs. Situated in the heart of The Thar Desert the life of people is not a touch of flowers, there continuous famines, scarcity of water, displacement of sand dunes and hot waves known locally as Loo are very prominent during the dry summer season. Jodhpur city, which was the capital of Marwar, covers an area of 30²Miles. It is the fourth largest district of independent Rajasthan. Luni is the only river which flows across the region, indicating the low rainfall in the san dunes resulting in less vegitation and flowering. To fulfill the desire of flowers the people in this area adorn colourful costumes. The city of Jodhpur behind the Mehrangarh Fort wear’s the blue clothes in sinewy strength.

History of Jodhpur City –

Jodhpur City has a history of chivalry, bravery which still echo’s in the arena of the lonely desert, as the whirls of peacocks echo in monsoon days, and also sung by bards and the local musician’s. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 A.D by Rao Jodha, the cheif of the Rathore clan of Rajput’s which was founded by Rao Chunda. Rao Jodha in his great rule included parts of Jaisalmer, Hissar, Mandore, Merta, Phalodi, Pokran, Sojat, Shivana, Ajmer and Sambhar which are some of the frontier’s of his conquest and also the evidence of his bravery, solidatory and superiority as a soldier.  He was contemporary to Rana Khumbha, who was the great soldier of Chittor who wanted to have friendly relations with the daughter of Rao Jodha.

When Rao Jodha conquered most of the important places of western Rajasthan, he Founded Jodhpur and built a new massive Fort now known as Mehrangarh Fort on Chiriakunt hillock in 1459 marking the birth of the City of Jodhpur as the capital of Marwar replacing the older one at Mandore.

Important Rulers of Jodhpur –

Maharaja Udai SIngh of Jodhpur house and his grandson Maharaja Gaj Singh were leading nobles at the court of Akbar – The Great and Jahangir. Maharaja Jaswant Singh first commanded the armies of Shahjahan and Darashikoh against the forces of prince Aurangzeb and Murad and dies in 1658 in Kabul, commanding the imperial forces.

During the reign of Maharaja Man Singh (1803-43) a treaty was concluded with the British in 1818. Maharaja Takhat Singh rendered loyal services during the mutiny, his eldest son Maharaja Shri Jaswant Singh II was a vigorous, enlightened and generous ruler. Maharaja Sardar Singh sucedded in 1895, recieved full poweres in 1898 and died in 1911. Maharaja Sumer Singh succeeded in 1911 as a minor and served in the great war on the western front. On his death Maharaja Ummaid Singh succeeded him and it was in his time that the United State of Rajputana was formed and Jodhpur lost its entity as an independent state and became a unit of United State of Rajasthan or the present state of Rajasthan. Maharaja Ummaid singh also build the luxurious Ummaid Bhawan Palace which is a marvel built using the pink golden jodhpur sand-stone and designed by Late Mr. H.C Lanchester.

Life in Jodhpur –

The people wear colorful dress and decorate their mustache and beard with pride. The women of the town are clad in colourful costumes, wide gathered skirt and hip length Jacket mostly covering front and back with three long sleeves, but making up in bright colour for its modest designs. And seen wearing long length of bangles of ivory or man-made ivory these days, worn mostly all over Rajasthan. People of Jodhpur are very polite and courteous and helping. In earlier times the people of the area used to live semi-nomadic life and move from one place to another place with their cattle’s, their wealth is number of goats, sheep and camels. The Marwaris who are the famous traders of India residing in Bombay, Calcutta, Madras come from this region of Rajasthan. This shows their wit that they went penniless to these economic hubs and now hold major economy of India. The economy is based on craft work’s and textile industry as due to scarcity of water a good harvest is not possible in the region. During the monsoon season on the sandy land good crops of Bajra (millet) Moth (lentil) and Til (oil seed) are mainly harvested.

Architectural Wonder’s of Jodhpur –

Mehrangarh Fort –

Started by Rao Jodha in 1459 sitting atop a foot hill nearly 400 mtr above the city, has served as the capital of the Marwar is a an incredible strong hold of the ruler’s of Marwar it took more than five centuries and a effort of lot of ruler’s of Jodhpur to reach the state it is in now. The fort is under the hold of Mehrangarh Museum Trust and well maintained. The view of the city is amazing from the the fort comlex. Before reaching the Fort we pass through a number of Gate’s or the pol as said in local language which were kept to check the Enemies. One of them is the Fateh Pol where the cannonball signs are marked. A battle fought in 1868 by Maharaja of Jodhpur and Maharaja Jagat Singh of Jaipur to marry Krishna Kumari (The daughter of Maharana of Udaipur) has left these signs. And the final in the row is made of iron the Loha Pol which marks the begining of the Fort. As one enter’s the gate one can see the lattic