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Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer
Fort was built in 1156 and is the second oldest in the state of Rajasthan.
Two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by an imposing crenellated
sandstone wall 30 feet high, the fort has 99 bastion, 92 of which
were built between 1633 and 1647. Wells within the fort still provide
a regular source of water. The fort , built by Rawal Jaisal, which
crowns the 80m highTrikuta hill, has its outer wall of palaces, houses
and temples of soft yellow sandstone. It has narrow winding lanes
and four huge gateways, the last one leading to main chowk dominated
by the old palace of the Maharwal. Almost one quater of the town's
population resides inside the fort. It is approached through Ganesh
Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. Also, within it are many beautiful
havelies and a group of Jain temples dating from the 12th to the 15th
centuries.
