For visitors to Jaisalmer, the Sonar Kella is a must-see attraction (Sonar Killa). The Jaisalmer Fort was given the moniker Sone ka Quila (Honey Gold Fort) because its sandstone walls seem particularly dazzling in the early morning sunlight (the fort of gold).
Without a doubt, Jaisalmer has a lot to offer its visitors, whether it be exploring the Thar Desert, indulging in the rich heritage and culture of the local people, or spending a night under the stars, surrounded by vast expanses of sand, in one of the desert camps in the city. The Jaisalmer ka Kila, the largest fort in the world and the second oldest in Rajasthan, is the real show-stopper in the Golden City of Rajasthan.
About Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Kella)
The Golden Fort in Jaisalmer has gained fame not only in India but around the world because of its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Trikuta Mountains in the Thar Desert are home to an ancient fortification that has seen many conflicts and witnessed the city’s cultural transformation during the authority of several dynasties. As one of the few surviving forts in Rajasthan, Jaisalmer ka Kila is both an important historical landmark and a symbol of Jaisalmer’s illustrious Rajputana heritage.
There are many gates leading into the impressive building, which is surrounded by walls 30 feet high and remains home to around 3,000 people. The Jaisalmer Fort is now a residential area complete with restaurants, stores, and hotels rather than a strategic military outpost.
Jaisalmer’s desert safaris and endless stretches of golden sand create a nomadic atmosphere that blends with the luxurious remains of the city’s regal past to give visitors an unforgettable experience.
Some Facts on Jaisalmer Fort you might not know
The Jaisalmer Fort, which has a long and storied past filled with mystery and enchantment, reaches majestically towards the heavens.
The One-of-a-Kind Architecture
The Golden Fort in Jaisalmer is known for its outstanding display of a synthesis of Muslim and Rajput architectural traditions. It’s not the mash-up of genres per such that’s fascinating, but the story of how they came to be.
There is evidence of human habitation in Jaisalmer Fort as early as 1156. Rawal Jaisal, who also established the town of Jaisalmer, constructed the fort there. Originally, it was just a mud fort built on top of a hill, but Rawal Jethsi erected bastions to make it more formidable almost a century later. Nonetheless, Allaudin Khilji, who besieged the fort and did considerable damage in 1294 and 1295, was ultimately successful in taking it.
The Golden Fort of Jaisalmer has been around for quite some time, and during that time it has been expanded and repaired by both Rajput and Muslim artisans, and as a result, it bears the stories of many different dynasties and eras. Given its rich history, it’s no surprise that the fort’s current architecture is a fascinating fusion of several styles.
The Three-Fold Defence
In addition to being a historically significant landmark, the three sets of walls that encircle Jaisalmer Fort only contribute to the fort’s impressive stature. The foundation of the fort was strengthened and the unstable hilltop soil was stabilised by first building a lower layer with stone blocks. Then there’s the primary defensive barrier, the middle wall, which encircles the entire fort. The third wall is the final line of defence, and in the past, it was used by the kingdom’s warriors to pelt intruders with hot oil, water, and stones after they had already been halted by the second wall.
King Jethsi improved the fort’s defences by building 56 bastions around it. More and more bastions were erected to the defences during the succeeding centuries. Facts indicate that between 1633 and 1647, 99 bastions were added to Jaisalmer Fort, bringing the grand number to 99.
Jaisalmer’s Half-Jauhar Gate
The Half-Jauhar of Jaisalmer Fort is a sad story about the harshness of life that was told in Jaisalmer Fort. During the reign of Rawal Lunkarna (1530-51) the fort was assaulted by a local Afghan clan led by Amir Ali. Warriors led by Amir Ali sneaked inside the fort by posing as the chief’s wives on a visit to the queens of Jaisalmer. In the ensuing combat, Rawal Lunkarna lost a lot of men and realised they were probably doomed. With little time to construct funeral pyres, he decided to personally execute the women of the palace to save them from the trauma of being captured.
Though Rawal Lunkarna was forced to complete this unpleasant assignment, fate was not yet finished with him; shortly later, reinforcements arrived at Jaisalmer Fort and helped Rawal Lunkarna win the battle.
Jaisalmer Fort’s chroniclers recorded the event as a terrible twist of fate.
An Ambiance That Sparks Creativity
In “Sonar Kella,” a mystery novel by Bengali writer and director Satyajit Ray, Jaisalmer Fort plays a significant role and is the inspiration for the title. The protagonist of this tale is Ray’s famous detective Feluda, and the plot focuses on a guy who is haunted by memories of a past life in which he possessed a gold fortress filled to the brim with priceless jewels and other relics. ‘The Golden Fortress,’ the first film version of Ray’s Feluda, was based on the novel and was released in the United States.
You may go sightseeing at the Laxminath and Jain temples, hike up the hill for breathtaking views of the city, wander the town’s winding streets, relax and watch the sky change throughout the day, and indulge in some of the region’s delectable cuisine. If your Jaisalmer vacation includes a stop at the Golden Fort, you should plan to spend at least a few hours there to appreciate the site.
The Jaisalmer Fort, India’s Golden Fort
A massive yellow sandstone structure known as the Jaisalmer Fort, the Sonar Quila, or the Golden Fort stands amid all the beauty. It is one of those ancient forts in which people continue to reside and make a living.
leader Rao Jaisal
Locally known as Sonar Quila, Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest forts in the world and is located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. It was built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput leader Rao Jaisal, from whom its name derives.
Jaisalmer Fort, unlike most other forts in India, is not merely a tourist attraction. It contains shops, hotels, and ancient havelis (houses) in which generations still reside. The origins of Jaisalmer date back to the 12th century.
Jaisalmer is sometimes referred to as the “Golden City of India” because the yellow sandstone used in the construction of the fort and the city below gives both a golden-yellow glow. You can stay at desert camp in Jaisalmer and experience this beautiful city and fort.