History of Jaisalmer

The article provides a historical account of the city of Jaisalmer, located at 26° 55' North and 70° 55' E, approximately ninety-five miles north of Barmer station on the Jodhpur Bikaner Railway. The author argues that the early history of Jaisalmer, based on old chronicles, is unreliable, specifically disputing the traditional founding date of 1156 A.D. by Jaisaladeva. Instead, the text suggests the city was founded after 1163 A.D., when Vijayaraja was ruling the old capital, Lodorva, and was succeeded by his son Bhojadeva and then Jaisala. The rulers that followed Jaisala included Salivahana, Bijaladeva, and Chichigadeva. The article details the history of the Bhatti dynasty, beginning with Jaita Suthha, described as the most powerful ruler. According to local bards, Aliduddin, the king of Delhi, sent an army to punish the Bhattis for carrying off treasure from Thattam and Multan, leading to a nine-year siege of the Jaisalmer fort, which was captured in 1295 A.D. The text notes that these dates are misleading because Aliduddin began to rule in 1295 A.D., and Jaita Suthha was ruling in 1299 A.D. Jaita Suthha and his sons fought against the Muslims and sacrificed their lives. The Muslims occupied the town for two years before Jaita Suthha's son, who became the ruler, drove away some Rathors of Millani, repaired the town, and fortified it. The article traces the genealogy of subsequent rulers, including Gharsi, who forcibly wrested the hereditary kingdom from the Mlechchhas, and Mahitiz Gadhasiha, who died in 1361 A.D. Lanakaraga was a powerful ruler who opposed Humayun in 1541 A.D. The text mentions a matrimonial alliance between the Arghun dynasty of Umarkot and a chief of Jaisalmer, resulting in the birth of Khan-i-Zaman, a distinguished general of Sindh. Rawal Bhima, mentioned in the din-i-Akbari and described by Jahangir as a man of rank and influence, married the niece of Rija Sithha of Bikaner. Bhima was followed by his brother Kalyana Disa in 1624 A.D., who was appointed governor of Orissa in 1610 A.D. and made a commander of 2000 by Jahangir in 1626 A.D. Sabala Suthha, a great-grandson of Mi I, ruled during the reign of Shah Jahan. He served with distinction at Peshawar, saving the royal treasure from Afghan mountaineers, and was installed as the ruler of Jaisalmer by Shah Jahan, although he was not the legitimate heir. During his reign, the state reached the height of its power, including the whole of Bhawalpur. However, from the accession of Milardja II in 1762 A.D., the fortunes of Jaisalmer rapidly declined. The article also discusses the rulers' patronage of Jainism. Several beautiful temples were built, and numerous images were placed in them. From a prastuti of the Daéairdvakacharitra written in 1218, it is known that Jagaddhara, son of Kshemandhara, constructed the temple of Parvanitha at Jaisalmer in 1187 A.D. Nemikumara and Ganadeva, wealthy persons, spent huge wealth on religious activities, getting the golden cupolas of the temple of Parvanitha prepared in 1268 A.D. Jinaprabodha Siri visited the town in 1287 A.D., and the king Karpadeva went to receive him. Jinachandra Siri visited the town in 1299 A.D., and the king himself went to receive him. The temple of Chintdmani Par§vanitha was repaired during the reign of Lakshmana 5108 in 1416 A.D. The article

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