subject: Jodhpur - The Blue City [print this page] The state of Rajasthan is historically important in India as it was the bedrock of the Indus Valley Civilization, considered to be one of the oldest human civilizations in the world. Following the destruction of the indigenous civilization by the invading Aryans, the state of Rajasthan became the abode of a handful of powerful tribes who played a major part in shaping of the future of the region.
The city of Jodhpur first came into being as a Rajput, or an ancient city that was established by the Marwari Empire. Since the city was the seat of power for the Marwari Empire, it was referred to as Marwari in historical texts. The empire had its beginnings in the 6th century, but it was only in the early part of the 13th century that the city of Jodhpur came to prominence. The empire continued to hold power in the region until the Mughal invasion in the 16th century, which had a profound impact on the culture of Jodhpur.
Today, Jodhpur is the second-largest city in Rajasthan in terms of population and is known as the "Blue City" because the houses are usually painted blue. The city is home to one of India's largest palatial residences, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, which has an entire floor area of more than a million square feet. The building is a prime example of Indo-Saracen architecture that was popular during the 18th century.
Jodhpur's other big attraction is the Mehrangarh Fort, which is as old as the city itself. The high walls were meant to protect the armies of Jaswant Singh, a well-known ruler of Rajasthan. The fort still has artefacts dating back to this period and is a popular tourist attraction.
Because the city of Jodhpur is located in the middle of the state of Rajasthan it is an ideal base to explore the region. A hotel in Jodhpur such as the The Gateway Hotel Jodhpur offers such travellers comfortable rooms and a host of other amenities to make their stay an unforgettable one.
