The famous Jaisalmer Fort is
also known as Sonar Quila.
Jaisalmer
Fort in Rajasthan - Like a yellow sandstone fabric that seems to
issue skywards from the golden sands, the
Jaisalmer Fort
standing guard over the desert scape from its 76 m perch on the hill, is
sheer magic and a splendid sight. Built by the Bhati Rajput Maharawal
Jaisal about 800 yeara ago and reinforced by successive rulers, it
housed an entire township within its huge ramparts. The fortress has 99
bastions and its defences were reinforced by having massive round stones
placed all around its ramparts, which were hurled down upon their
enemies below.
The steep cobble stone pathway leads to the fort, through a series of
massive gates, passing along the way a second wall running parallel to
the lower outer wall. You enter the fort from the east from Gopa Chowk.
It is approachable through four successive gates, the Akhai Prol, Ganesh
Prol, Suraj Prol and Hava Prol. The last gateway leads in to the main
courtyard, Dussehra Chowk, once the scene of gathering of troops,
processions, animal sacrifices and the Jauhars. These days it becomes
alive during festive celebrations and from here stone paved lanes with
slopes, restaurants, hotels and houses lead to various parts of the
fort. The fort still houses palaces of the Maharawals, some old Jain
temples and the famous havelis. The fort walls provide superb views of
the old city and the surrounding desert landscape. Just north of the
fort is the popular Sunset Point for sundown views over Jaisalmer.
