Jaisalmer, the capital of Bhati rulers is situated in 153 km from Barmer station. Legend has it that after battle of Kurukshetra, Krishna wandered around the desert of Thar with Arjuna, when he prophesized that one day, his descendant would build a desert fort around the Trikuta hill. Centuries later, a mendicant , narrated this celestial event and its significance to Rawal Jaisal, a Bhati ruler, who claimed to be a descendant of the Lunar race of the Yaduvansha dynasty. He was rulling then from Lodruva, which lies along the dry bed of river Kak, was earlier called Lodruvapur and which he captured from the Lodruva Rajputs. He was looking for a chance to shift his capital due to the growing menance of Afghan raids and other tribes, posing grave dangers to the safety of his clan. The trikuta hill on which the fort stands in the desert, proved to be strategic for its location and the natural defence of building a fort on a hill. After conspiring and killing his brother Bhoj Dev, he shifted his capital to Jaisalmer.
Evidence referring to the history of the region of Jaisalmer before Rawal Jaisal established his capital here, is scant. The name came into existence after Rawal Jaisal's construction of the Jaisalmer fort, derived from his name-Jaisal and meru-jaisal's fort. There are references in ancient literary texts from the regions ruled by Solankis in the Kutch, whereby Jaisalmer was earlier known as Mad dhara or Bhallamandal. Located at the southern end of a low range of hills, Jaisalmer sat strategically up on the camel carvan routes leading from India to central Asia, Percia, Egypt, Arabia and Africa.
Jaisalmer evolved into a major trading outpost for trade in dates, wine, spices and dried fruits in exchange for textiles, gems, indigo, opium coming from west and central India. Being a capital is it also attained importance as the seat of administration for the Bhatti territories. Rawal Garshi undertook the excavation of a large reservoir somewhere around 1346 CE. An old reservoir, Jaisalsar, built by Rawal Jaisal was enlarged and the waters of the nearby rivulet kak were led into the Ranisar tank. The excess split over into the new reservoir, the Garhisar or the Gadisar. According to popular legend, this lake was dedicated to Tilon, most probably a dancer in the court of Maharawal Garhsi, who hailed from Multan. This became the watershed area for the carvans caravans that passed through Jaisalmer thus beocming the lifeline for all.
This was also when the lost community of Plaiwal Brahmins started to settle in Jaisalmer, after they had been ousted by Sihoji Rathores and his troops from Pali, the Paliwals' native settlement. Known for their shrewd business acumen and skillful agricultural practices, their arrival in Jaisalmer, was a blessing. Having dug reservoirs and linkage a network of irrigation canals to the fields, the spatial changes in the land were tremendous. (unnecessary please delete)
The 16th century saw the first allegiances of Jaisalmer with Mughals. By 1570 CE, Jaisalmer had to finally succumb to Emperor Akbar's diplomatic maneuvers and by 1578 CE, Rawal Bhim's chiefs and their armies were placed at Akbar's disposal. Rawal Bhim became an officer and his name is present in the Ain- i-Akbari in the list of mansabdars of five hundred.
The 17th century saw the growing Mughal influence in Jaisalmer. In 1660 CE, Sabal singh struck Dodia copper coins in Jaisalmer and circulated them. Jaisalmer was at the height of its expansion as it comprised the whole of present Bhawalpur and certain districts of Marwar and Bikaner. In 1756 CE, the first mint was set up in Jaisalmer and the currency was minted in the name of Maharawal Akhai singh, which was greatly despised by the rulers in Delhi and was considered as an act of defiance to the Mughal sovereignty over the state of Jaisalmer.
The 19th century saw great changes and transition in the Jaisalmer state administration, marked by the receding influence of the mughals and the growing influence of the British who were slowly establishing their capital in Delhi. The appointment of Salim Mehta, a jain trader as the dewan of the state, proved extremely disastrous and which had far reaching repercussions on the state and the royal house of Jaisalmer. This was when Jaisalmer saw a huge exodus of the population -businessmen, agriculturists, pastoralists and may be several artist of local folklore. The Paliwal Brahmins also abandoned Jaisalmer as a result of Salim Singh's high handed atrocities on them.
Rawal Mulraj, faced with growing attacks and insecurity, signed a treaty with the British Government on 12th December, 1818 CE and according to which the British guaranteed the principality of Jaisalmer to the posterity of Mulraj II and the chief and the fort was to be protected from serious invasions and dangers to his state. Another important aspect of Jaisalmer's cultural milieu is the bloom of painting seen during this era, mainly as a result of the Jaipur influence where a mix of Jodhpur style was also seen in their paintings. Some specimen in the darbar bears testimony to this.
on 26th June, 1857 CE, a new postal route form Jodhpur to Singh via Malani and Jaisalmer was opened. In 1860 CE, the Maharawal inscribed the name of Queen Victoria on the coins of the state. In 1862 CE, the British Government by a Sanad granted the Mahawaral the right of adoption and succession to his possessions according to the Hindu Law. In 1879 CE, a salt agreement was signed with the British Government, by which the then Maharawal Bairisal undertook to limit the local manufacture of salt to 15000 mounds a year solely for the consumption and use within his territory and to abolish all dues on British duty paid salt. After Partition, Jaisalmer attained strategic importance as being the frontier province sharing border with Pakistan. It led to the closure of all trade routes on the Indo-Pal border. Skirmishes across the border continued which resulted in the building of an army base in Jaisalmer. The Fort of Jaisalmer standing majestically on the Trikuta Hill is a living testimony to the pride of the Bhati Rulers. Maharawal Jaisal laid the foundation of a new fort at Jaisalmer in 1155 CE, which was most probably completed before 1244 CE by Rawal Salivahan II, son and successor of Jaisal. The fort of Jaisalmer also known as Sonar Killa due to its color, is built over a 50 meter high hill and occupying an area of 11.28 ha with its huge ramparts that varies from 10 to 25 meter in the height. There are three parallel walls around it. The first wall supporting the hill is called Patha which was built in 15th century CE by Maharawal Lakshman Singh. The second retaining wall, five meters high around the hill was built by Maharawal Bhim Singh in 1578 CE. The third wall is the main wall of the fort. The fort is approached from the north-east through four successive gateways viz. Akhai Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Hawa Pol.
The rulers of Jaisalmer were great patrons of sculptural art and architecture. Several beautiful Brahmanical and Jain temples, magnificent palaces, havelis and gateways were built which clearly reflects the skill and dexterity of the stone masons and artistic excellence of the Bhati rulers. Inside the fort, there is a cluster of five palaces or havelies namely Rang Mahal, Sarvottam Vilas, Gaj Mahal, Zanana Mahal and Moti Mahal. The important temples, here are Laxminarayan, Ratneswar Mahadev, Surya, Parsvanatha, Sambhavanatha, Sitalanatha, Chandraprabhu, Rishavdeva, Shantinatha and Kunthunatha.
