Jodhpur

Jodhpur, the second largest city of Rajasthan and second metropolitan city of the state, is a beautiful city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan as well as in India. Historical importance of Jodhpur reflects in the grand palaces, glorious forts and the artistically rich temples of the city. Jodhpur was historically the capital city of the Kingdom of Marwar and the remains of the Kingdom yet witnessing the royal life-style in the stark landscape of Thar Desert, which makes Jodhpur an attractive tourist destination at present. At present Jodhpur is a beautiful city serving as administrative headquarters of Jodhpur district and Jodhpur division. The old city circles the Mehrangarh Fort and is bounded by a wall with several gates but the new city has expanded widely outside the wall occupying an area nearly 4500 square kilometers. The city is presently well developed in various fields as Tourism, Education, Medical Facilities, Science and Technology and world class research institutions. Strategically Jodhpur is one of the important cities in India, being close to international border the city has bases for Indian Army, Indian Air Force, BSF and DRDO.

History:

Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore clan had established the city Jodhpur in 1459. Initially the capital of Marwar was Mandore, a small town near Jodhpur, but when surrounding territories were conquered from Mughal Sultanate, the kingdom of Marwar expanded to greater area, the capital was shifted to Jodhpur. The city was located on the strategic road linking Delhi to Gujarat, created the way to more earnings from the trade of opium, copper, silk, sandal wood, dates and other products. Mughal Emperor Akbar conquered Marwar partially and ruled some part of Marwar according to some agreements with Rathore kings. After a long war between Rathore kings and Mughal emperors Maharaja Ajit Singh restored the Marwar kingdom but the battle strength of the state declined resulting many attacks and destructions in the capital city. During British colonial period the merchants of Marwar flourished and came to occupy a position of dominance in trade across India. After independence Jodhpur merged into the union and became the second largest city of Rajasthan.

Culture:

Located close to the Thar Desert, Jodhpur boasts of captivating forts, majestic Palaces, beautiful lakes and many architectural wonders, making the city one of the best places to visit and witness the sweet culture of the city. The houses are painted in vivid shades of blue are conspicuous and are a cynosure to the eye. The people of the city are known for their hospitability, soft nature and legacy to the royal Rajputana heredity. People speak Marwari and Hindi with thick Marwari accent. Men and women both wear colorful attires, with women donning wide gathered skirts called ghagras and hip length jackets called kurties with three quarter sleeves. Women wear a peculiar kind of jewellery on the neck, forehead, arms, ears, feet, hands and waist. The men wear simple clothes but almost all men wear a colorful turban. The city of Jodhpur is known to celebrate various Indian festivals such as Marwar festival, Jodhpur International Desert Kite festival, Gangaur etc, with great fanfare and pomp. People of Jodhpur love dance and music. Devotional songs of saint poets like Meera, Kabir and Maloodas are being sung by the people of Jodhpur playing music with Baara and Algoza, the traditional musical instruments. Jodhpur is famous for typical Rajasthani dishes Mawa Kachori, Pyaaz Kachori, Makhaniya Lassi, Panchkuta and hot and spicy Mirchibada.