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Jodhpur Travel Guide
Quick Facts
Founder : Rao Jodha – chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs
Also Known as : Sun City of India, Blue City of India
Location : Situated in Western Rajasthan, India
Distance : Ajmer (210), Barmer (225 km), Jaisalmer (290 km), Jaipur (325 km), Bikaner (245 km), Devigarh (223 Km), Kishangarh (244 km), Khimsar (90 Km), Mandor (9 km), Mount Abu (264 km), Pali (85 km), Ranakpur (190 km), Udaipur (275 km), Agra (563 km), Delhi (589 km)
Area : 75.5 sq km
Population : 650,000 (approximately)
Climate : Extreme climate and scanty rainfall in Jodhpur conforms to the typical desert climate
Languages : Hindi, Rajasthani, Marwari and English
Major Attractions : Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Girdikot and Sardar Market, Museum, etc
Best Time to Visit : September to March
Jodhpur Information
In 1459 AD, Rao Jodha, chief of Rathore clan of Rajputs, who claimed descent from Rama, the epic here of the Ramayana, laid the foundation of Jodhpur. A high stone wall protects the well-fortified city. The wall is nearly 10km in length and has eight gates facing various directions.
Within, stands an imposing fort on a low range of sandstone hills, about 125m above the surrounding plains. Invincible! And dauntless in its league with time! The city lies at the foot of the hills. The clear distinction between the old and the new city is visible from the ramparts of the fort.
On the other side of the city, facing the fort is the
Umaid Bhawan Palace – one of the most spacious, sprawling and well-planned palaces in India. And from here, as you look at fort, a tantalizing view rises before your eyes at sunset.
The peculiar slant of the sunset lends the desert landscape an awe-inspiring glow and the people, a chivalry undaunted.
This bustling desert city is
the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and has landscape dominated by the
mammoth Mehrangarh Fort topping a sheer rocky ridge.
The old city is fenced by 10 km long wall with eight Gates leading out of it. The new city is outside the walled city. Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, founded the city in 1459 and it is named after him.
The Afghans drove the Rathores out of their original homeland Kaunaj and they fled to this region around Pali a short distance from present day Jodhpur. A manoeuvre lead to marriage between Rathore Siahaji and the sister of a local prince that helped the Rathores to establish and strengthen themselves in this region. In fact they flourished so well that managed to oust the Pratiharas of Mandore, just 9 km of present day Jodhpur.
By 1459 a need for more secured capital lead to the founding of
Mehrangarh Fort on its rocky perch and Jodhpur was thus founded by Rao Jodha. The Rathores enjoyed good relations with the Mughals and Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678) supported Shah Jahan in the latter's struggle for war of succession. Only problematic relationship they had was with Aurangzeb.
After Auranzeb's death Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar.
In the reign of Maharaja Umaid Singh Jodhpur grew into a fine modern city. The quintessence of Jodhpur was its valour and equestrian skill. Polo has been the traditional sport of the Jodhpur nobility since medieval times.
Ahead is the main market and entry in to the wall from Sojati Gate. This area also has many hotels. Jodhpur is also military and air force station and has a large cantonment and airbase.
How to Reach Jodhpur
By Air: The Blue City of India, Jodhpur is well connected by air with Jaipur, Delhi, Udaipur and Mumbai.
By Rail: Being a popular tourist destination, the city of Jodhpur is well-linked by railway network with all the major cities of India.
By Road: There is a good network of roads which connect Jodhpur from all the major cities of Rajasthan and North India.
