Jodhpur (जोधपुर), the second largest city in Rajasthan, India, was founded in 1459 by King Rao Jodha. It is a popular tourist destination offering palaces, forts and temples.
The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a 10km long wall that was built 100 years after the city was founded. Jodhpur is also called the "blue city", due to its many blue-painted houses; it can be seen to best advantage from the Meherangarh Fort, an old maharaja fort placed on a rock above the city.
History
In 1193, Afghan Muhammad Ghûri seized the capital of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. As a result the clan fled and settled in Pali and what came to become present day Jodhpur. The city of Jodhpur was established around the fort, Mehrangarh, constructed by Rao Jodha.
Jodhpur was founded on the strategic road linking Delhi to Gujrat enabling the city to profit from the trade of opium, copper, silk, sandals, dates and coffee. Because of its strategic advantage and richness, the Mughol emperor Akbar ensured an alliance with the clan by marrying the sister of Rao Udai Singh. This ensured military aid from the clan for his campaigns in Gujrat.
By the middle of the 17th century, this alliance was broken as Jaswant Singh joint his forces with those of Shâh Jâhan against Aurangzeb. This last, victorious, plunders Jodhpur and force its inhabitants to be converted with Islam. New the maharâja Ajit Singh, the son of Jaswant Singh, is assassinated and Moghols claim its throne. His/her son Ajit Singh II, then child, hides during 30 years in a tiny village of the Himalayas then returns in Jodhpur, in 1707, after the death of Aurangzeb and recovers his throne.
Following many bloody wars between Jodhpur and the other Rajput states of Jaipur and Udaipur, a treaty was signed with the British to bring peace to the region. When India achieved independence on 15th August 1947, the seven hundred year old Marwar state first merged with Indian Union, and then into Rajasthan in 1949. The last maharaja before independence, Umaid Singh, was the grandfather of the present Maharaja Gaj Singh.
Economy
Handicrafts industry in the recent years has elipsed all industries of Suncity. Furniture export from has become a Rs 10000 Million / year Industry. (One Dollar = Approx 43 Rs). According to local estimates about 200 000 people are directly or indirectly employed by this industry.
Tourism is the second largest industry of Jodhpur.
Gypsum and salt are mined, other crops of this district inculde the famous Mathania red chillies & Wheat. Jodhpur supplies hot-peppers to the rest of India.
It serves as an important marketplace for wool and agricultural products.
Other items manufactured include textiles, metal utensils, bicycles, ink, and sporting goods. There are also other cottage industries in manufacturing such as glass bangles, cutlery, carpets, and marble products.
The Indian air force, Indian Army & Border security force maintain training centers at Jodhpur.
Monuments
Umaid Bhavan Palace
Umaid Bhavan Palace is one of India's last great palaces. The palace was constructed over a 15 year span from 1929 to 1943 under the supervision of Maharaja Umaid Singh, the president of the British Royal Institute of Architects.
The Maharaja of Jodhpur concieved the project initially as a public relief and employment works project during a long period of drought. The Maharaja decided to build a world-class palace so as to make Jodhpur an interesting destination for visiting dignitaries, thereby laying the foundations of a strong economy based on tourism and trade.
The palace was built by 3000 artisans consuming one million square feet of the finest marble. Ever since its opening in 1977, Umaid Bhawan has been one of the most celebrated and luxurious heritage hotels in Rajasthan.
The Umaid Bhavan Palace is renowned for the sandstone used in its construction. The Palace is also known as Chhittar Palace for the exceptional Chhittar sandstone used in its construction. The Palace is now segmented into the royal residence, the Heritage Hotel and the museum. Its style of construction with the beautiful balconies, charming courtyards, terrific terraces, green gardens and royal roomsis typical of the Rajputs. Its 98 air-conditioned rooms are elegently decorated with antique furniture as well as all the other amenities of a five star hotel.
Jaswant Thada
The Jaswant Thada is architecural landmark found in Jodhpur. It is a white marble memorial built in 1899 in memory of Maharja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface. Within this cenotaph, there are also two more tombs.
Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh (meaning Majestic Fort) is one of the largest forts in India. Though the fort was originally started by Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur, in 1459, most of the fort which stands today dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). This magnificent fort is located at the centre of the city spreading over 5km atop a 125m high hill. Its walls, which are up to 36m high and 21m wide protect some of the most beautiful and historic palaces in Rajasthan. To commemorate historic victories three gates are found in the fort. Within the fort brillantly crafted and decorated palaces are found. Of these, Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana are notable. One also finds the fort museum comprising several palaces. This museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, musical instruments, costumes and furniture. The ramparts of Mehrangarh Fort provide not only excellently preserved canons but also a breath-taking view of the city.
Cuisine
A number of Indian delicacies have originated in Jodhpur . To name a few, the delectable Makhaniya Lassi , Mawa Kachori and Panchkuta .
Rulers of Jodhpur
- Rao Jodha, 1438-1488
- Satal, 1488-1491
- Suja, 1491-1515
- Ganga, 1515
- Ganga (II), 1515-1531
- Maldeo, 1531-1583
- Raja Udaya Singh, 1583-1594
- Raja Sura Singh, 1594-1619
- Raja Gajsingh, 1619-1637
- Raja Jaswant Singh, 1637-1680
- Raja Ajit Singh, 1680-1724
- Maharaja Abhi Singh, 1724-1749
- Maharaja Rama Singh, 1749-1750
- Maharaja Bakht Singh, 1750-1752
- Maharaja Bijej Singh, 1752 -1792
- Maharaja Bhim Singh, 1792-1803
- Maharaja Man Singh, 1803-1817
- Maharaja Chatter Singh, 1817-1818
- Maharaja Man Singh, 1818-1843
- Maharaja Takht Singh, 1843-1873
- Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, 1873-1895
- Maharaja Sardar Singh, 1895-1911
- Maharaja Sumer Singh, 1911-1918
- Maharaja Ummed Singh, 1918-1947
Present members of royal family
(Royal rule ended with independence of India in 1947)
- Hanwant Singh, 1947-1953
- Gajsingh II, 1952-Present
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