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As Jodhpur emerged as the new center of power and potential prosperity in the Thar Desert, people began migrating there. Like other significant medieval cities, Jodhpur was initially a walled city, with Jodha’s walled city featuring four gates, or Pols, three of which still stand today, though in poor condition. To the north was Bhagi Pol, to the south, the Singh Pol (The Lion Gate), and in the south-east, the Bhomiaji Ki Ghati Ki Pol. The most frequented gate, facing east, was Phoolelao Pol, which remains in relatively good condition. Jodha's capital was small, with these gates standing almost at the foot of Bhakurcheeria. From the modern outskirts of the expanding city, Mehrangarh now appears as little more than a distant silhouette.
As Jodhpur emerged as the new center of power and potential prosperity in the Thar Desert, people began migrating there. Like other significant medieval cities, Jodhpur was initially a walled city, with Jodha’s walled city featuring four gates, or Pols, three of which still stand today, though in poor condition. To the north was Bhagi Pol, to the south, the Singh Pol (The Lion Gate), and in the south-east, the Bhomiaji Ki Ghati Ki Pol. The most frequented gate, facing east, was Phoolelao Pol, which remains in relatively good condition. Jodha's capital was small, with these gates standing almost at the foot of Bhakurcheeria. From the modern outskirts of the expanding city, Mehrangarh now appears as little more than a distant silhouette.


In recognition of the stability and prosperity during Jodha's reign (1438-1488), Jodhpur grew beyond its original walls within fifty years of his death. When Sher Shah, the Afghan who briefly claimed the Mughal throne of Delhi, threatened to invade Marwar in 1543, Rao Maldev, the then ruler, was forced to complete the city’s fortifications. His newly built walls, which encircled Jodhpur once again, stretched for 24,000 feet, were nine feet thick and forty feet high. Maldev constructed six gates: Chand Pol, facing west to honor the ascent of the Lunar God, was the first in that direction. The other five gates were named after the major Rathore forts they faced: Siwanchi Pol (Siwana) to the south, Jalori Pol (Jalore) to the south-east, Sojati Pol (Sojat) and Mertia Pol (Merta) to the east, and Nagauri Pol (Nagaur) to the north-east. These gates and walls, while simple and functional in design, were reinforced with platforms and towers for watchmen and archers to defend the city.
In recognition of the stability and prosperity during Jodha's reign (1438-1488), Jodhpur grew beyond its original walls within fifty years of his death. When Sher Shah, the Afghan who briefly claimed the Mughal throne of Delhi, threatened to invade Marwar in 1543, Rao Maldev, the then ruler, was forced to complete the city’s fortifications. His newly built walls, which encircled Jodhpur once again, stretched for 24,000 feet, were nine feet thick and forty feet high. Maldev constructed six gates: Chand Pol, facing west to honor the ascent of the Lunar God, was the first in that direction.The remaining five gates were named after the prominent Rathore forts they aligned with: Siwanchi Pol (toward Siwana) to the south, Jalori Pol (toward Jalore) to the south-east, Sojati Pol (toward Sojat) and Mertia Pol (toward Merta) to the east, and Nagauri Pol (toward Nagaur) to the north-east. Although the design of these gates and walls was basic and practical, they were strengthened with platforms and towers to accommodate watchmen and archers for the city's defense.


Maldev's fortifications, though strong enough to deter Sher Shah, could not contain the expanding city of Jodhpur for long. During the reigns of Maharajas Abhaya Singh and Bakhta Singh (1724-1752), the gates were shifted outward, with the exception of Chand Pol and Mertia Pol. Today, these gates are well-preserved and painted, but remain unused, as the walled section of the city has been absorbed into the growing urban landscape, making Jodhpur Rajasthan’s second-largest city. The original walls have been dismantled, with their stones repurposed in the construction of homes, shops, and slums.
Maldev's fortifications, though strong enough to deter Sher Shah, could not contain the expanding city of Jodhpur for long. During the reigns of Maharajas Abhaya Singh and Bakhta Singh (1724-1752), the gates were shifted outward, with the exception of Chand Pol and Mertia Pol. Today, these gates are well-preserved and painted, but remain unused, as the walled section of the city has been absorbed into the growing urban landscape, making Jodhpur Rajasthan’s second-largest city. The original walls have been dismantled, with their stones repurposed in the construction of homes, shops, and slums.

Latest revision as of 03:28, 15 November 2024

The Rathores are a Rajput clan of the Suryavanshi lineage, tracing their ancestry to Rama, the legendary hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana, and, through him, to the sun god, Surya. This connection is why the Rathores identify as Suryavanshi, or "descendants of the sun." Originating from the Marwar region in western Rajasthan, the Rathores are also present in small numbers in Gujarat's Idar state and the districts of Chhapra and Muzaffarpur in Bihar.

History of Rathores

The story of the Rathores, a martial clan that ruled Marwar from Jodhpur until the Princely States merged with the Dominion of India in 1949, traces back to 1194. In that year, far to the east, Muslim invader Shahabuddin Mohammed Ghori defeated the powerful Jaichand of Kanauj. Jaichand’s great-grandson, Sheoji, ventured to Marwar in 1226, seeking new battlefields and his own path to glory. It is Sheoji’s descendants who proudly carry the name Rathore.

In 1226, the main cities of Marwar were Mandore, just a fifteen-minute drive from Jodhpur, and Pali, an hour’s drive to the south. It was Pali, a prosperous commercial hub, that Sheoji first conquered. Over the years, the Rathores steadily expanded, but it was not until 1395, during the reign of their twelfth ruler, Rao Chunda, that they acquired, rather than conquered, Mandore.

Mandore, Marwar's most historic city, now in ruins, was once the capital of several great dynasties. According to legend, Ravana, the Demon King of Lanka who opposed Lord Rama, married a princess from Mandore, his beloved queen Mandodri. In 1292, the Parihar Rajputs lost Mandore to the Khilji Sultans of Delhi, and the city remained under Delhi’s control until 1395. That year, the Governor of Mandore, Aibak Khan, demanded both fodder and a grain tax, which led to his downfall. The Parihars, weary of this autocratic ruler, devised a plan as clever as the Trojan Horse, but with even greater bravery. Five hundred Parihars secretly infiltrated the fortified city hidden in a hundred cartloads of grass. These carts were checked, with some men being pierced by spears but remaining silent, even wiping the blood from the spears as they were withdrawn. Once inside, the Parihars attacked the Muslims, and within an hour, Mandore was reclaimed. However, the victorious Parihars knew holding the city would be a different challenge. It was then suggested that they arrange a marriage alliance with the young Chunda, and so, Mandore, the capital of Marwar, was secured for the Rathores through a dowry.

As the undisputed rulers of Mandore, Sheoji’s descendants established the Rathores as the most dominant clan in the region. It was Rao Jodha, the grandson of Chunda, who secured the Rathores' place in Indian history by building one of the country’s most magnificent forts and founding one of its most captivating cities. The foundation of the fort was laid by Jodha on 12 May 1459 on the rocky hill of Bhakurcheeria, just six miles from Mandore. Perhaps influenced by Cheeria Nathji’s curse, Jodha had a young man named Rajiya Bambi buried alive in the fort’s foundation to ensure its success. Rajiya was promised that his family would be cared for by the Rathores, a promise that has been honored. Rajiya’s descendants, who still reside in Raj Bagh, Rajiya’s Garden, continue to maintain a special connection with the Maharaja.

Rao Jodha’s citadel, constructed with a budget of nine hundred thousand rupees, was quite different from the one inherited by his descendant, the current Maharaja of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh II, nearly five centuries later in 1952. It was smaller, and of the seven gates now in place, only one—Jodha’s own gate—was built during his time. As the Rathores grew more powerful, Mehrangarh fort, a symbol of their glory and strength, expanded. Every ruler added something, contributing to the fort’s unique beauty. Today, it is a magnificent blend of different eras, styles, and influences, reflecting the might and ambition of its rulers. The towering battlements, standing at 120 feet, and the stone walls, some six meters thick, bear testament to Maldev’s reign (1532-1562), when the Rathores reached the peak of their power. The palaces within the fort, grand structures of peace and prosperity, whisper tales of political machinations, immense wealth, and royal pleasures under the Mughal reign (1583-1739). The main gates, Fateh Pol and Jai Pol, commemorate the Rathores’ victories—against the Mughals in 1707 and the Jaipur forces a century later—while the ramparts, adorned with Maharaja Abhaya Singh’s cannons (1724-1749), proudly declare these victories to the world.

As Jodhpur emerged as the new center of power and potential prosperity in the Thar Desert, people began migrating there. Like other significant medieval cities, Jodhpur was initially a walled city, with Jodha’s walled city featuring four gates, or Pols, three of which still stand today, though in poor condition. To the north was Bhagi Pol, to the south, the Singh Pol (The Lion Gate), and in the south-east, the Bhomiaji Ki Ghati Ki Pol. The most frequented gate, facing east, was Phoolelao Pol, which remains in relatively good condition. Jodha's capital was small, with these gates standing almost at the foot of Bhakurcheeria. From the modern outskirts of the expanding city, Mehrangarh now appears as little more than a distant silhouette.

In recognition of the stability and prosperity during Jodha's reign (1438-1488), Jodhpur grew beyond its original walls within fifty years of his death. When Sher Shah, the Afghan who briefly claimed the Mughal throne of Delhi, threatened to invade Marwar in 1543, Rao Maldev, the then ruler, was forced to complete the city’s fortifications. His newly built walls, which encircled Jodhpur once again, stretched for 24,000 feet, were nine feet thick and forty feet high. Maldev constructed six gates: Chand Pol, facing west to honor the ascent of the Lunar God, was the first in that direction.The remaining five gates were named after the prominent Rathore forts they aligned with: Siwanchi Pol (toward Siwana) to the south, Jalori Pol (toward Jalore) to the south-east, Sojati Pol (toward Sojat) and Mertia Pol (toward Merta) to the east, and Nagauri Pol (toward Nagaur) to the north-east. Although the design of these gates and walls was basic and practical, they were strengthened with platforms and towers to accommodate watchmen and archers for the city's defense.

Maldev's fortifications, though strong enough to deter Sher Shah, could not contain the expanding city of Jodhpur for long. During the reigns of Maharajas Abhaya Singh and Bakhta Singh (1724-1752), the gates were shifted outward, with the exception of Chand Pol and Mertia Pol. Today, these gates are well-preserved and painted, but remain unused, as the walled section of the city has been absorbed into the growing urban landscape, making Jodhpur Rajasthan’s second-largest city. The original walls have been dismantled, with their stones repurposed in the construction of homes, shops, and slums.

Mandore, the former capital, was not entirely deserted. It continued to serve as the burial place for the rulers of Marwar until 1873. The Royal Cenotaphs, impressive sandstone structures marking the cremation sites, are elaborately carved, offering a momentary contrast to the somber atmosphere of the surrounding ruins and public gardens. Despite the proximity of modern civilization, Mandore remains a site of historical interest, where it’s said that as many as eighty women, including queens, concubines, maids, and musicians, committed Sati by immolating themselves on their husbands' funeral pyres. In 1895, the royal cremation site moved to a hill near Mehrangarh, when Maharaja Sardar Singh (1895-1911) honored his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II’s last wish by having him cremated there. The Jaswant Thada Memorial, a splendid white marble shrine, is visible from the fort and much of the city.

With the establishment of Mehrangarh and Jodhpur, the Rathores entered their Golden Age. Their conquests were vast, and Jodha strategically settled his sons and brothers as Thakurs, or feudal lords, in newly acquired lands. These lords became an integral part of Marwar's social structure, consolidating Rathore power across the region. By the time of Jodha's death in 1488, the Rathore rule, or Rathoree Raj, had reached its peak.

Jodha was succeeded by his son, Rao Satal, the sixteenth Rathore chief, who ruled for only four years but is remembered for his heroic sacrifice. In 1492, he died rescuing 140 village maidens abducted by Muslim invaders, cementing his place in Marwar's history as a martyr and a symbol of Rajput valor. Tragically, his death marked the end of a tradition, as he was the last Rathore ruler to die in battle. Of the fifteen rulers before him, nine had died on the battlefield, six of them in conflicts with Muslim armies. However, of the twenty-one rulers who followed, none met their end in such a manner.