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JAISALMER was founded by Maharawal Jaisal in the year 1156 AD. It is located within a rectangle lying between 26°.4’ –28°.23' North parallel and 69°.20'-72°.42' east meridians. It is a part of the Great Thar Desert, is sandy, dry and scorched. The terrain around, within a radius of about 60 kms is stony and rocky. The area is barren, undulating with its famous sand dunes and slopes towards the Indus valley Jaisalmer State belongs to Bhati Clan of Yadu Rajputs of Chandrawasnshi (Lunar) race who claim descent from Lord Krishna,the defied hero who ruled at Dwarka. The historical origin of Bahttis can be inferred from the couplet which says that the Yadu Rajputs ruled and constructed Forst at Kashi,Madhura, Pragvad, Gajni,Bhatner,Digam,Dirwal,Lodurva and ninth in Jaisalmer. (Gajni is in Afganisthan and Dirawal is now in Pakistan).
The present district is largely composed of the former JAISALMER state, which was among the Rajputana States to go under British protection. The treaty between Maharawal Moolraj-II and the British government of 12th December 1818 guaranteed to the ruler and his posterity the principality of Jaisalmer. Under this treaty the ruler of the State was required to act in subordinate cooperation with the British Government. At the time of Afgan War in 1938-39 the then ruler of the state Maharawal Gaj singh made excellent fool-proof arrangements for transportation of british troops for which British Government felt grateful to the ruler for timely help and cooperation. In 1844, after the British annexed Sind, The Forts of Shahgarh and Ghotaru, which are formerly belonged to JAISALMER, were restored to the State. In 1949 when Jaisalmer was merged into the state of Rajasthan, there was no important change in the area of the state.On October 6,1949,the region was given the status of an independent district in Jodhpur division.
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Desert Safari |
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Camel Safari is one of the unique ways to explore small villages in Jaisalmer. Camel Safaris atop this ship of the desert is most exciting and soft adventure. Riding a camel is not easy as people consider. It is neither a great test for endurance. It is a great experience to explore The Thar - a vibrantly, living, desert, very colorful and hospitable.
The THAR is a world of its own, an unrelieved ocean of sand, dotted with dunes and seraphic shrubs, with its own distinctive wildlife. Here among the sun and the sand you will meet some of the most colorful and courageous people on earth. They respond to the rigors of the life in the desert with the exuberance of music and songs; their vibrant attire, the upward twist of mustache almost seem to defy the elements
There is considerable scope for adventure in the magical sands of Rajasthan .The arid land offers ample opportunities for desert safaris, whether but the fast, dust-raising jeep and horse or slowly, on the swaying back of a camel.
The people of the desert have been using the camel from centuries; sometimes it is their only means of transport and no man can think of surviving in the Thar Desert without the hardy camel. A camel safari amidst the golden sand dunes of Jaisalmer gives you a real feel of golden landscape .Denizens of the desert, like the desert fox, chinkara (deer), blackbuck and the great Indian bustard can also be sighted. It will take you to those remote areas where there ample opportunity to gain the first hand experience of the rustic environ.
The halts are arranged just outside a village, and from here one can observe life around the community well, for example, watch the orange sands being kicked up in little puffs as flocks of cattle and sheep come back from grazing, or watch children scramble to a school where a teacher may hold a collective class for children of different ages. In all probably, the meal will be cooked over a wood fire or Kerosene stove. Later as you lay down to sleep you will see the vast canopy of stars in the sky above, lighting up the night like giant fireflies. It was these stars that the caravans of the past used for navigating across long distance through this very desert, and as you fall off to sleep, you can't help wondering that it was in this manner too they must have camped centuries ago. |
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