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Jaisalmer Fort
Construction of the Fort
An apt description of the Jaisalmer fort, one of the finest in the country but
one which looks rather incongruous given the desolation around it. Located bang
in the middle of the Thar desert (literal meaning abode of the dead), it rises
like a mirage from the sands, with its huge turrets pointing skywards. Built in
1156, Jaisalmer is the second oldest of Rajasthan's major forts after
Chittorgarh. Constructed by Raja Jaisal, who was searching for a new capital as
the earlier one Lodurva was too vulnerable to invasions, he built the fort and
the city surrounding it, thus fulfilling Lord Krishna's prophecy in the
Mahabharata
Located on a Hilltop
Mounted atop Trikuta, the almost triangular triple-peaked hill, the fort rises
like a sunbeam from the desert, 250 feet tall, and is reinforced by an imposing
crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high. It has as many as 99 bastions, 92 of
which were built between 1633 and 1647 to be used as gun platforms. The view of
the 99 bastions of the yellow sandstone fort, the desert citadel of Raja Jaisal,
is spectacular to behold. The fortifications have grown exponentially over the
centuries, and wells within the confines still provide a regular source of water
to the fort.
Palaces of the Maharawals
Also, in front of the Chauhata Square lie the palaces of the Maharawals. Leading
up to them is a flight of marble steps topped by the Maharawal's marble throne.
Nearby lies the five-storeyed Tazia (metal) Tower, with ornate architecture and
Bengali-style roofs. The five-tiered structure was constructed by Muslim
craftsmen who worked on the building. The outer defences of the citadel are
fortified by another high wall with a pathway running parallel to the first
rampart. Beyond the entrance is the Ganesh Pol, leading up to the Rang Pol.
There was a time when everyone lived inside the fort itself, protected by its
massive ramparts. As the population of Jaisalmer expanded, people started
emigrating from within the fort's precincts from about the 17th century.
However, even today the fort is a hive of activity, and you'll witness a
cross-section of the populace living within it as you travel through its winding
streets and alleys.
Installation of a unique device
The fort also has a peculiar gadget hoisted on top of its ramparts. Since Met
departments were in short supply in those days, this was used to forecast the
weather. Every year in April a flag would be placed in its centre and, based on
the direction in which it blew, the weather for the entire year was forecast. If
it blew northwards it indicated famine, and if it went westwards Ho the
citizenry could rest assured that a fine monsoon was in the offing. May seem a
bit primitive today but the system was probably just as accurate or inaccurate
as the Met office nowadays.
Jaisalmer Fort -- A Marvel Built in Sandstone
Just as the Taj in Agra is worth visiting on a full moon night, Jaisalmer fort
by nightfall is a sight to behold, it has all the romance and suspense of a
Hitchcockian mystery. You half expect an invading army to march up to the
castle, over its enormous paved flagstones, while those defending the fort shoot
missiles at them from the ramparts. Suffice to say the Jaisalmer fort is one of
the marvels of Rajasthani architecture, particularly of the stone-carver's art.