Jaisalmer Fort or the Sonar Quila draws its name from its founder
, Rawal Jaisal. The Bhatti Rajput ruler built the fort in 1156 AD on the Trikuta Hill amidst the famous Thar Desert in Jaisalmer India. The fort is one of the largest in the world and still has a major population of Jaisalmer residing within the premises.
Earlier the entire population lived inside the fort but with passage of time and increase in population, it became increasingly difficult to do so. So, quiet a number of them began to settle in the foothill of Trikuta. Today, Jaisalmer Fort is probably the only one that displays how life is within the fort premises.
As with other forts of rajasthan, the Jaisalmer Fort has also seen bloody battles fought and mass suicide or Jauhar committed by the female folks. Ala-ud-din Khilji captured the fort in 13th century and retained control over it for nine years. Later, Mughal Emperor Humayun invaded and gained control of the fort.
The major attractions of Jaisalmer fort is its magnificent size - two hundred and fifty feet tall with sandstone battlement wall rising to thirty feet. The fort has ninety nine bastions and four huge gateways. Apart from this there are other structures within the fort that impress visitors with their charm. There is the Raj Mahal or the Royal palace, Jain temples, Laxminath temple and Merchant Havelis. The Merchant havelis are grand and colourful constructions by the affluent business families of Jaisalmer. A number of them are still lived in by the families of those who built them. However, a few of them have been converted into hotel and welcome travellers to stay and enjoy the life of local Rajasthani people.