Jaiselmer, once a princely state of the State of Rajasthan India is perhaps closest to my imagination of a romantic desert kingdom dotted with massive forts and opulent palaces. One can picture dashing Rajput kings riding out of their desert strongholds for deeds of valour and chivalry.
The truth is somewhat more mundane. The fort was founded almost a thousand years ago by a Rajput prince titled Maharawal Jaisal of the Bhati Rajput clan. He called the fort he built Jaiselmer or the fort of Jaisal. Although the king’s capital city was then at Luderwa about 16 kilometers away, he chose the top of the Trikut hill for the location of his fort. There are conflicting stories about the reason for his choice. Legend has it that it a local hermit persuaded him.
Others believe that he chose the hill top with a commanding view of the countryside because it was an easily defended and secure location. The real reason appears to be that a great caravan route passed along the foothills of mount Trikut. This well frequented trade route connected India to Persia, Egypt, Arabia, Africa and to the great trading cities further West.
Large caravans carrying rich trading goods passed frequently by and the Bhati Rajputs that commanded the fort, made a very handsome income by levying taxes from the rich merchants. The lords of the fort used this wealth to build a strong fortification with palaces, temples and an entire city within its walls.
With the opening of the Bombay port in British India, the importance of land trade declined sharply and Jaiselmer’s income from trade route levies dwindled and vanished. As a result, many of the tribal people of Jaiselmer took to a nomadic existence raising camels, cattle and goats. The city dwellers turned to tourism and to leather working, stone cutting and textiles. According to the last census, there are less than seven hundred thousand people living in the state, although it may increase by as much as 50% during the peak tourist season.
The Rajasthani folks are traditionally colourful, in sharp contrast to their duo-tone background of endless sand dunes. Of these, the most picturesque are the desert nomads, beautiful well adorned women and leathery weather-beaten men. This story is not about the kings and their forts and palaces but about these fascinating desert folks of Jaiselmer. This story is about tanned troubadours singing of the lost glory of Jaiselmer, of tribal women selling souvenirs and of camel carts in the glorious desert sunset.
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Jayant Neogy – Senior citizen bitten by the phography bug. Interested in Travel, Landscape and Architectural photos. Been a regular contributer to DSLR Blog. I use a Nikon D800 with a range of lenses
As always, Jayant Neogy’s sensitive eye captures amazing faces, chiselled features, strong of character, with expressions intent and searching. Each frame is alive with an evocative atmosphere that draws one into that special moment frozen forever in time.
Visually and emotionally appealing.
Why, thank you Rehana!
You always lift my spirits!