"The Blue City of Jodhpur and Village of... " a Jodhpur Travel Page by atufft

The Mehrangarh Fort is one of the most impressive in India for it's central location and extraordinary height above the city around it. Beyond the edges of this second largest city in Rajasthan, the first being Jaipur, open desert can be found, and so the city is relatively isolated, enjoying almost year around sun. In addition to the citadel, the old city is walled with six gates: Nagauri, Merati, Sojati, Jalori, Siwanchi, and Chand pol.

Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief belonging to the Rathore clan, the city soon became a capital of sorts for a fiefdom within the Mughal domaine, while also retaining independence. Located on the strategic road linking Delhi to Gujarat, the Rathore clan profited from trade in opium, copper, silk, sandal wood, date palms, and coffee, and so were able to easily pay their fealty. Jodhpur's Marwaris merchants imported during their travels ideas in art and architecture, both Mughal and Rajput. During this period, Jodhpur furnished the mughals with several notable generals, such as Maharaja Jaswant Singh.

However, under the reign of Aurangzeb, Mughal control over the state was imposed for a short period, and subsequent to the death of Aurangzeb, internal rivalries and corruption lead to a decline in the fortunes of the city. By the time of the British arrival in 1818, ruinous civil war between Marwari and Marantha tribes provided for the typical divide and conquer strategy that incorporated Jodhpur into a subsidiary alliance.

History aside, the merchant wealth of Jodhpur was poured into the wonderful yellow and red sandstone palace of the rajput princes. Thus, the fortress, like many in India, contrasts a awesome military defense structure with the remote and idealic wealth of wonderful architecture for those who lived inside.

Rohet was a jagir, or vassal fiefdom, within the Marwar domaine, begining in 1622, when Thakur Dalpat Singh, was awarded a track of land for his bravery in war. Today, Rohetgarh remains a pleasant place to stay, with an opportunity to interact with descendent Maharaja in his home and villagers over whom he rules and protects. This small town is off the road between Udaipur and Jodhpur, and provided my wife and I a highlight of our 21 day trip to India. See Off the Beaten Path for more information.