Jodhpur, Historical royal city in Rajasthan, India
Jodhpur is a big city in Rajasthan with over half a million people, spreading at the edge of the Thar Desert. The old residential quarters below the fort show hundreds of buildings in various shades of blue, running through narrow lanes and giving the place its nickname as the blue city.
Rao Jodha founded the city in the 15th century as capital of the Marwar kingdom after leaving the earlier fort at Mandore. Rulers expanded the fortifications over the centuries and the city grew into an important trade link between Delhi and Gujarat.
The Sardar Market near the Clock Tower operates daily and vendors sell textiles, leather goods and spices made using techniques passed down through generations. Many families run their shops here for decades and maintain close relationships with regular customers from across the region.
The months from October to March bring cooler temperatures and make it more comfortable to walk through the streets and visit the higher parts of the city. The old town is best explored on foot while trips to the fort on top of the hill require a vehicle.
Toorji Ka Jhalra is an 18th-century stepwell commissioned by a queen and now notable for its deep geometric patterns carved in sandstone. The steps descend in multiple levels toward the water basin and offer a cooler retreat on hot days away from the busy lanes.
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