JAISALMER is a remote outpost that was built around an oasis in the Thar desert by Prince Jaisal in 1156 (hence the name Jaisal-mer). The town, (only about 270 kms from the border with the Pakistan of today), became a major staging post on the “silk-route”, the busy caravan trade route from India west to Afghanistan & Central Asia. With its majestic fort, like a giant sand castle sitting on top of a hill in the distance, the Golden City*, is a breathtaking sight, a mirage in the middle of barren desert scape. No other place evokes such ancient desert splendor & exotic trade routes.

[*The fort, havelis & most other structures in Jaisalmer are made out of a golden yellow sandstone found only in this region - thus the golden hue throughout the city. Typically, no mortar was used to ply the blocks together. Once quarried, the sandstone begins to harden over time in this arid region, making it more robust.]

At one time, the old city was completely walled, but much of it has been torn down in recent years for reuse as building materials. Some of it remains, however, including the city gates which lead to the massive fort that is the essence of Jaisalmer.

Jaislamer in jeopardy: The entire Jaisalmer economy of today subsists on tourism during the cooler seasons, & the locals have to live off those earnings for the rest of the year. However, it's the tourist trade that is threatening the fort, Jaisalmer’s main attraction. High tourist numbers & government indifference have resulted in the fort being placed on the World Monuments Watch List of 100 endangered sites worldwide. The fort is self-destructing & literally crumbling because there are too many guesthouses & restaurants causing too much water to pump through the aged sewage system (likened to pouring a bucket of water on a sand castle.) Since 1993, three of the 12th century bastions have collapsed. Another mortal enemy is thoughtless building with lack of concern for conservation. So basically, the inhabitants are destroying their own livelihood.

Great photo gallery: Great photo gallery: http://www.molon.de/galleries/India/Rajahstan/Jaisalmer/