 Southwest of Jaipur is the Thar desert with Jodhpur at the eastern edge serving as its gateway. The city, was founded by the Rathore Rao Jodha. After conquering Marwar, Rao Jodha established himself here. Within the high stone wall with its eight gates is the seemingly invincible Mehrangarh Fort, rising to a height of 125 meters. Enclosed within are the fabulous palaces, which have now been converted into a museum. Inside the exquisite Moti Mahal is the Srinagar Chowk. The other sections, the Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana, Umaid Vilas and Daulat Khana, dispaly a rich and varied collection of exhibits. Umaid Vilas has a fine collection of Rajput miniatures and Ragmala paintings. The armoury of Maan Vilas displays the high level of craftsmanship of the sikligars (sword smiths) and the dhabadars (armourers). The chatris (cenotaphs) at Mandore, that of Jaswant Singh II, is at Jaswant Thada below the fort. The tombs of four successive rulers adjoin this structure. The splendors and luxury of the marble and sandstone Umaid Bhawan Palace is today a fine hotel. An effective combination of indigenous and foreign architecture, and also Known as the Chitar Palace was the maharaja's second residence, the first being at Raikabagh. Mandore, 9 Kms from the town was the original capital of the Parihar Rajputs. Along one edge of the garden is the 18th-century Hall of Heroes with 16 giant figures carved out of single rock. Jodhpur is a good base to visit Osian, 65 Kms to the northwest, once a great trading centre but today famed for its eighth-to-tenth century Brahmin and Jain temples. |
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