Jaisalmer Fort |
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 Jaisalmer Fort is considered as the second oldest fort in the state of Rajasthan, the oldest being the Chittaurgarh Fort. The fort was built in the twelfth century, 1156 A.D., to be precise. Jaisalmer town, as it stands amidst the desert lands of Rajasthan, owed an immense importance in the past. The place, back then constituted as one of the bases that formed the trade link between Egypt, Arab, Persia and India. The traders and merchants, who were in business then, employed stone craftsmen to build for them great places and mansions, which still stand as great attractions. Despite the intense heat and regular sandstorms, the fort has survived and survived to tell its tale.
Jaisalmer Fort stands perched on the popular Trikuta Hills in the Jaisalmer town of Rajasthan. Rising to an imposing height of 250 feet from the ground, the fort in no way escapes the visitors attention. The fort lanes can be seen as inhabited by a small population of merchants and shop owners. The wells built within the fort can be seen as providing the source till date. The region is also marked by a number of mansions and havelis that were built by the prosperous traders and merchants in the later centuries. The golden yellow sandstone that has been employed in the construction of this fort gives it a unique outlook. It is because of this fact that the fort is sometimes called as Sonar Qila (meaning golden fort). This fort looks quite fascinating at night.
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Patwon-Ki-Haveli |
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 The five-storied Patwon ki Haveli is the largest of its kind in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. Patwon ki haveli is one of the most elaborate and fascinating mansions in Jaisalmer that entices you with its hypnotic charm. Located on a narrow lane in the main Jaisalmer city, Patwon ki haveli was constructed by Guman Chand Patwa and his five sons. Guman Chand was a famous trader of his times and dealt in gold, brocade and silver.
There are five massive suites in the Patwon ki haveli that are decorated with brilliant representations of artistic acumen. The entire haveli is and interesting grid of pillared halls, large corridors, lavishly chiseled ceilings and ostentatiously decorated walls. The stunning murals that adorn the haveli walls are colorful depictions of the everyday court scenes, village scenes and other artistic concepts. The walls of one particular room at the Patwon ki Haveli is completely covered with captivating frescoes.
The havelis are also known as the 'mansion of brocade merchants'. This name has been given probably because the family dealt in threads of gold and silver used in embroidering dresses. However, there are theories, which claim that these traders made considerable amount of money in Opium smuggling and Money-lending. This is the largest Haveli in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow lane.
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Gadsisar Sagar Lake |
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 Gadsisar Lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Jaisalmer. Just leave the madding crowd behind and venture towards the outskirts and you will find yourself next to the famous Gadsisar Lake. Contrary to the popular belief, it is not an oasis but a water conservation tank made around 1400 A.D. by the then maharaja of Jaisalmer, Maharwal Gadsi Singh. Can you believe this structure just outside the city walls once acted as a reservoir that controlled the entire supply of water to the arid city!
This place was selected because it had a certain amount of declivity already and it automatically retained some of the rainwater. If you are lucky and venture out in winters, you might get to see a variety of migratory birds. Due to its proximity to Bharatpur, some of the birds get attracted to this place also. Don't miss to carry a good pair of binoculars and SLR camera with a wide-angle lens if you want to take away some really mesmerizing snaps.
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Tazia Tower |
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 Tazia Tower which is a delicate pagoda in itself rises from Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace). Each storey of this five-tired splendor has delicate carved balconies and has historical relevance.
The stupendous architecture of Tazia Tower is constructed by Muslim craftsmen in a good looking turret formation, aesthetically designed and complicatedly imprinted. They gifted this tower to their splendid patrons sumptuously festooned with bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier carried in pageant during Muharram.
The visit to Tazia Tower has huge reverence and relevance for those who have immense love in history steeped in mystic charm. The endearing balconies of each tier remain till date a wunderkind of complex Muslim architecture. |
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