The famous ‘Blue city’ of Rajasthan, Jodhpur, is one of the oldest cities in India. It was founded in 1459 by Rajput chief Rao Jodha. During British rule, Jodhpur was the largest Rajput state in terms of land area, and its merchants rose to a position of dominance in the Indian trade making it a very prosperous city. It is home to Royal architecture which invites tourists from all over the country and worldwide. From the world’s most luxurious hotels, beautiful palaces, exciting cuisine, and colourful markets to visits! This place is a perfect combination of culture, colour, food, and festivals.Hang in there to know everything about the Blue city!
The city covers an area of 22,850 sq. km. By 2021, the population of Jodhpur is estimated to be 1,510,000, with 52.62 males and 47.38 per cent females with a literacy rate of 80.56 per cent. It is well connected to India’s neighbouring villages and main towns through road, rail, and air travel. Railways link the city to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, etc. Jodhpur has grown in importance as an industrial centre in recent years. Some of the major companies have their centres in Jodhpur, and the development of local businesses working with clients worldwide is due to modernization.
The primary languages spoken by the inhabitants of Jodhpur are Hindi, Marwari, and Rajasthani. Jodhpur’s culture is rich in celebrations and traditions. The Marwar Festival – is one of Rajasthan’s most exciting and rustic celebrations. Every year, it is celebrated in commemoration of the state’s heroes. The International Kite Festival in Jodhpur is celebrated on January 14th at the Jodhpur Polo Ground. The sky fills with multi-coloured kites, families coming together make this a memorable day for the people of Jodhpur. Dances accompanied by the rhythms of the Chang, Mandal, and numerous other musical instruments are a vital part of the Jodhpur tribal people. And the festivals in Jodhpur are colourful and harmonious, with live music and dancing performed by the locals, this is a beautiful sight people come to see in Jodhpur!
The Jodhpuri people are among the friendliest in India. They speak with a distinctive Marwari accent. Jodhpur’s way of life is exceptionally intriguing. The people dress in stunning multi-coloured outfits. Women wear broad gathered skirts and hip-length jackets with three-quarter length sleeves. The city is well-known for its embroidered leather shoes, antiques, tie-dyed fabrics, clay figures, marble inlay work, carpets, puppets, and traditional jewellery made of silver, glass, and other metals.
Jodhpur is home to world-renowned heritage sites and hotels to visit. Here is a list of some of the most famous and architecturally known palaces, gardens, temples, and so much more.
Mehrangarh Fort
Following its founding in the mid-15th century, the Fort and its palaces were constructed over 500 years. Rao Jodha laid the groundwork in 1459. As a consequence, the many architectural styles of many different centuries are represented. Mehrangarh Fort’s walls stretch up to 10 kilometres in length, with heights ranging from 20 feet to 120 feet and widths ranging from 12 feet to 70 feet. The visitor is greeted with a succession of courtyards and palaces inside the Fort. The palace rooms hold a magnificent array of the trappings of Indian monarchy. The Fort also offers a spectacular view over Jodhpur and also the neighbouring country, Pakistan. Today, this Fort has a museum, hotel, restaurant, market, and much more.
Mandore Gardens
The Mandore garden is a collection of Marwar dynasty memorials and temples located 9 kilometres north of Jodhpur’s Blue City. It was the capital of the Pratiharas, who governed the region in the sixth century AD. The Garden houses ancient temples, memorials and high-rock terraces that are pretty magnificent. It is home to historic temples, monuments, and breathtaking high-rock terraces. The Maharaja Ajit Singh cenotaph, erected in 1793, is the main attraction among the cenotaphs at Mandore Gardens. Another highlight is the Government Museum at Mandore Gardens. This museum showcases antiques and historical relics from the region.
Balsamand Lake
This artificial lake, built in 1159 AD to function as a water reservoir, is loved by tourists and residents for its lush green surroundings and appealing natural beauty, making it an ideal location for picnics. The Balsamand Lake Palace, built by Maharaja Sur Singh to overlook the lake, is an architectural masterpiece that adds to the space’s timelessness, coupled with the magnificent landscape and wildlife that surrounds it.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
One of the largest private homes in the world, Umaid Bhawan has India’s first operational elevator palace. A portion of this palace in Jodhpur is now a historic hotel and a museum. The palace was created to employ Jodhpur farmers and not for luxury. It was built before independence, between 1928 and 1943, under Maharaja Umaid Singh’s reign. It is a palace, a hotel, and a museum all rolled into one, making it one of the must-see palaces in Jodhpur.
The old city centre of Jodhpur is marked by the fabric of tiny alleyways, huddling of blue buildings, and Havelis on the slopes. There is a pressing concern regarding the future of its past, as the area gains new urban inserts at a dizzying rate. Historic cities are peaceful places caught between preservation and continuation ideals. The city of Jodhpur is growing along essential highways such as Pal Road, Pali Road, Jaipur Road, Nagpur Road, and Jaisalmer Road. Over the last two decades, new residential and business districts have sprouted up. Jodhpur, today is the intersection of the traditional and the upcoming modern face of India, promising a positive future for the people of the city!
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- Images/visual mediums
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IMAGE 6 : Unsplash (n.d.). Photo by SAM MATHEWS on Unsplash. [online] unsplash.com. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/sYxPnaE_–Q?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink [Accessed 3 Sep. 2021].
