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Jodhpur
A valiant sentinel in the desert, on the eastern fringe of the
Thar Desert has the distinction of neither being a part of the Thar
Desert nor out of it. At best it is a doorway to the wonderland
of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. It is
the home of the Rathors - the awesome princely state of Rajasthan,
who conquered Marwar or Maroodesh, land of the sand after the fall
of Delhi and Kannauj.
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 stonewall protects the well-fortified city. The
wall is nearly 10 km 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 the 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. |
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