Jodhpur is a famous tourist spot with a palace, fort, and temples, set in the stark landscape of theThar Desert. It is also known as the 'Blue City' due to the dominant color scheme of its buildings in the old town.[1] The old city circles theMehrangarh Fort and is bounded by a wall with several gates.[15] Jodhpur lies near the geographic centre of the Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists.[1]
Etymology
The name "Jodhpur" is derived from its founder,Rao Jodha, who established the city in 1459.[16] "Jodh" represents Rao Jodha, and "pur" means city or town inSanskrit, making it the "City of Jodha."[17]
Geography and climate
Jodhpur has ahot desert climate (KöppenBWh), due to its very highpotential evapotranspiration. Although the average rainfall is around 362 mm (14.3 in), which falls mostly from June to September, it fluctuates greatly. In thefamine year of 1899, Jodhpur received only 24 mm (0.94 in), but in the flood year of 1917, it received as much as 1,178 mm (46.4 in).Jojari river, a tributary ofLuni River, flows fromBanad to Salawas in Jodhpur Urban Area. A riverfront development project for the Jojari River, covering a 35 km stretch within the Jodhpur urban Area, was approved in January 2021 under theNamami Gange programme of theMinistry of Jal Shakti. Previously, the project was overseen by the Jodhpur Development Authority. Pin Code of Jodhpur is 342001 which comes under Jodhpur postal division (Jodhpur Region).[18]
Temperatures are extreme from March to October, except when themonsoonal rain produces thickclouds to lower it slightly. In April, May, and June, high temperatures routinely exceed 40 °C. During the monsoon season, average temperatures decrease slightly, but the city's generally low humidity rises, which adds to the perception of the heat.The highest temperature recorded in Jodhpur was on 20 May 2016, when it rose to 48.8 °C (119.8 °F).
Climate data for Jodhpur (1991–2020, extremes 1901–present)
Source 2: Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020),[24] Weather Atlas[25]
Jodhpur has been ranked 30th best “National Clean Air City” (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India.[26]
History
Mythology
The Rajasthan District Gazetteer's of Jodhpur gives examples from the Hindu epicRamayana (composed up to the 4th century AD), which mention that theAbhiras inhabited the region of what later became Marwar. TheAryans are also mentioned as a race that migrated to this region.[27]
Early history
The Ghatiyala pillar inscription (AD 996) which was erected by the Pratihara ruler Kakkuka, gives important information about the region.[28] Marwar formed a part of theGurjara-Pratihara Empire and until 1100 AD was ruled by a powerful Pratihara King. The Pratihars later formed a marital alliance with the Rathores andMandore was given indowry by the Pratiharas to aRathore chieftain calledChunda. Chunda thus established his rule inMandore and took advantage of the decliningTughlaq dynasty. He defended Marwar against Zafar Khan and conquered Khatu, Didwana, Sambhar, Nagaur and Ajmer from the Tughlaqs.[29]
Jodhpur was founded in 1459 byRao Jodha, aRajput chief of theRathore clan. Jodha succeeded in conquering the surrounding territory from theDelhi Sultanate and thus founded a kingdom that came to be known asMarwar.[30] As Jodha hailed from the nearby town ofMandore, that town initially served as thecapital of this state; however, Jodhpur soon took over that role, even during the lifetime of Jodha. The city was located on the strategic road linkingDelhi toGujarat. This enabled it to profit from a flourishing trade inopium,copper,silk,sandalwood,dates, and other tradeable goods.[31]
After the death of RaoChandrasen Rathore in 1581, the kingdom was annexed by the Mughal EmperorAkbar, Marwar thus became a Mughal vassal, owingfealty to them while enjoying internalautonomy. Jodhpur and its people benefited from this exposure to the wider world as new styles ofart andarchitecture made their appearance and opportunities opened up for local tradesmen to make their mark across northern India.[31]
View of the Rajasthan High Court, Sardar Museum in Umaid Park and upper right is Jodhpur fort in 1960.
Aurangzeb briefly sequestrated the state (circa 1679) after the death ofMaharaja Jaswant Singh, but his sonMaharaja Ajit Singh was restored to the throne byDurgadas Rathore at the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 ending the 30 year long Rathore rebellion. TheMughal empire declined gradually after 1707, but the Jodhpur court was beset by intrigue; rather than benefiting from circumstances, Marwar descended into strife and invited the intervention of theMarathas, who soon supplanted the Mughals as overlords of the region. In 1755Jai Appa Scindia attackedNagaur after looting several places of Rajasthan. Jai Appa halted his army near samas pond of Tausar which was 3.5 km from Nagaur fort. He surrounded Nagaur fort and cut off food and water supply. Maharaja Vijay Singh called Darbar and asked for volunteers to kill Scindia. Gaji Khan Khokhar (Chawata Kallan) and Kan Singh (Dotalai) volunteered and took responsibility for killing Jaiappa Scindia. Both changed their outfit as traders and opened shop near Jaiappa's army. They observed their activities for two month. On 25 July 1755 on Friday at 11 am, when found opportunity attacked Jaiappa with daggers and killed him (Painting situated in Mandore museum). While fighting the loyal soldiers of Jodhpur both were killed. From then on a common proverb still people say "Khokhar bada khuraki kha gaya appa jaisa daaki" (Khokhar are great gluttons, eaten demon like appa). Even after the killing of Jai Appa Sindhia, the Maratha army continued fighting for a few months near Nagaur but they lost hope after Jai Appa's death.Dissipated the wealth of the state, which sought the help of the British and entered into asubsidiary alliance with them.[31][32]
British colonial period
A major revolt occurred in1857 by some Rathore nobles ofPali led by ThakurKushal Singh of Auwa, but the rebels were defeated by the British Army under Colonel Holmes and peace was restored.[31][32]
Street Scene of Jodhpur in 1906
During theBritish Raj, the state of Jodhpur had the largest land area in theRajputana. The land area of the state was 93,424 km2 (36,071 sq mi) its population in 1901 was 44,73,759. It enjoyed an estimated revenue of£3,529,000. Its merchants, theMarwaris, flourished and came to occupy a position of dominance in trade across India.
After independence
In 1947, whenIndia became independent, the state merged into the union, and Jodhpur became the second-largest city after the Jaipur city in Rajasthan.[31][33] At the time of division, the ruler of Jodhpur,Hanwant Singh, did not want to join India, but finally, due to the effective persuasion ofVallabhbhai Patel at the time, the state of Jodhpur was included in the Indian Republic. Later after theState Reorganisation Act, 1956 came into effect, it was included within the state of Rajasthan.[31]
As of the 2011 census official report, Jodhpur Municipal Corporation had 196,436 households and a population of 1,056,191. 134,761 (12.76%) were under the age of 7. Jodhpur had a sex ratio of 902 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 80.33% for those 7 years and above. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 133,395 (12.63%) and 25,253 (2.39%) of the population respectively.[4]
The Jodhpur Urban/Metropolitan area includes Jodhpur, Kuri Bhagtasani,Mandore Industrial Area, Nandri, Pal Village andSangariya. Its urban/metropolitan population is 1,137,815 of which 599,332 are males and 538,483 are females. With the inclusion of 395 villages in Jodhpur city in the month of February 2021 by JoDA, the new population count for the city is 1,663,000 and is expected to grow by 33.04% over the next decade. In the year 2031 population of Jodhpur city is expected to be more than 3.1 million. The population of Jodhpur city after expansion of city borders is 1,663,000.[34][37]
At the time of the 2011 census, 63.61% of the population recorded their language asRajasthani, 25.17%Hindi, 5.52%Marwari, 1.73%Sindhi and 1.27%Urdu.[38]
Economy
Jodhpur contributes $4 billion (approx) to Rajasthan's economy through different Industries. It is also considered the center of India's $200 million handicraft industry.[39] The city is also a major tourist destination, claiming attractive heritage hotels and sights from its long history.[40][41]
View of PWD Road and Mehrangarh from veer durgadas bridge, JodhpurHigh Rises on PWD road, Jodhpur
Jodhpur also has the largest standardized test training industry in western Rajasthan, with top coaching institutes for theIIT-JEE,NEET-UG andNEET-PG, and Civil Service Exams.[citation needed]
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the government of Rajasthan have been working since 2018 on a joint project to construct a refinery inPachpadra,Barmer district with a capacity of nine MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum). The refinery is expected to come online in January 2024, and was described by Union Petroleum MinisterHardeep Singh Puri as "...the 'Jewel of the Desert', bringing jobs, opportunities and joy to the people of Rajasthan...".[42] Pachpadra lies just 60 kilometres from the industrial area of Boranada in Jodhpur. Around 120 by-products produced by the refinery are expected to provide major opportunities for new industries to be set up in and around Jodhpur.[citation needed]
India's most ambitious industrial development project, the over US$100 billionDelhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project is also expected to impact the industrial scenario in Jodhpur in a big way. Marwar Junction, which is located about 100 kilometres from the city, will be one of the nine freight loading points along the DMIC route. In addition, both the Jodhpur andPali districts fall under the region that is planned to be developed as a manufacturing hub for the DMIC.[43]
Panorama view of Jodhpur, with theMehrangarh Fort to the right, and the city centre below
Culture
Jodhpur has culturally been known by the name ofJodhana by the locals.[44] The city is famous for its food and its popularity can be judged by the fact that one can find sweet shops named "Jodhpur Sweets" in many cities throughoutIndia. Being at the onshore ofThar Desert, life has been influenced by ways of select nomadic tribes (so-called "gypsy" groups –Banjara in Hindi – have settled in some parts of the city).[45] Jodhpur has distinct cultural identity through its food and is famous for itsMirchi Bada, Rabdi Ghewar and Mawa Kachori.[46]
Tourism
Jodhpur's most notable attractions areMehrangarh Fort which overlooks upon the city, the blue bylanes of the old city are also an attraction,Umaid Bhawan Palace,Jaswant Thada, and theGhanta Ghar, or Clock Tower. Tourists are also within proximity toMandore Garden,Kaylana Lake and Garden,Balsamand Lake,Machia Biological Park, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Ratanada Ganesh Temple, Toorji Ka Jhalra, Sardar Samand Lake and Palace, Masooria Hills, Veer Durgadas Smarak (monument, park, and museum), Surpura Dam and Bhim Bhadak Cave. Other attractions of people are at markets of food, antique items, traditional clothes and traditional shoes (also calledJodhpuri Mojari) held in Jodhpur.[47]Mahamandira, a temple consecrated to Sri Jalandharnath, is known for its murals showing ascetics in yoga poses and murals bearing inscriptional records of the dignitaries visiting the shrine which includesCharanas,nobles, and theRajas.[48]
A number of dishes fromIndian cuisine originated in Jodhpur. The city savours a number of food items, but the specialties of the city arePyaaj Kachori,Mirchi Bada and Mawa Kachori.[53]
Dal-Baati-Churma, Makhaniya Lassi, Ker Sangri, Lasan Ki chutney, Mirchi ka kutti, gatte ki sabji and gulab jamun ki sabji are some other famous foods in Jodhpur.[54]
MBM Engineering College: the oldest engineering institution in Rajasthan, it is now a faculty of engineering and architecture, under JNVU (established in 1951).
Footwear Design and Development Institute Jodhpur is an institute established by the government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the design and development of footwear, fashion, and leather (started in 2012).
Indian Institute of Handloom Technology is one of the five institutes nationwide to provide research, development, and technical education to the handloom industry.
Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jodhpur, started in 2013 is an Agricultural University for research, education and extension in the field of Agricultural Sciences & Technology for farmer of Marwar Region.
Research
Major research institutes and organizations have been established in the city for promoting research:
Arid Forest Research Institute is one of the institutes of theIndian Council of Forestry Research and Education working under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, for carrying out scientific research in forestry to provide technologies to increase the vegetative cover and to conserve the biodiversity in the hot arid and semiarid region of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Dadara union, and Nagar Haveli union territory. The campus covers 66 hectares on the New Pali Road.
Central Arid Zone Research Institute is a premier organisation of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture, government of India.
Desert Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India is the regional arm of the only taxonomic organization in the country involved in the study of all kinds of animals to promote survey, exploration, and research leading to the advancement ofzoological study.
Botanical Survey of India is the nodal research organization under Ministry of Environment and Forests for research, exploration, and survey of the flora of India.
Defence Research and Development Organisation is an organization working under the Department of Defence Research and Development of Ministry of Defence for design and development leading to the production of world-class weapons systems and equipment.
Regional Remote Sensing Centre is one of the five centres established under National Natural Resources Management System by Department of Space forremote sensing tasks at regional and national levels.
MBM Engineering College conducts research and has masters and PhD programs in branches of engineering by highly experienced faculty. In civil and chemical engineering, national and state projects are performed by this college.
Judiciary
New building of Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur.
Rajasthan High Court is the High Court of the state of Rajasthan. It was established on 21 June 1949 under the Rajasthan High Court Ordinance, 1949.
The High Court of Rajasthan was founded in 1949 in Jodhpur and was inaugurated by the Rajpramukh, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh on 29 August 1949. The first Chief Justice was Kamala Kant Verma and the current Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court is the Honorable Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava. A bench was formed at Jaipur which was dissolved in 1958 and was again formed on 31 January 1977. Currently, there are forty sanctioned judges.
Till 2020, the city was administered by a single municipal body, Jodhpur Nagar Nigam with a mayor. In 2019, theRajasthan government decided to form two municipal corporation inJaipur, Jodhpur andKota for better administration.[55] For administrative purposes, the city is divided intowards, from which the members of the corporation council are elected for five years. The municipal corporation has elected members known as councilors, orparshad in Hindi, representing their respective wards (geographical units of the city). The ward members are elected by direct voting by electorate for a period of 5 years. In addition to these directly elected members, the corporation has fourex-officio members (one member of parliament, three members of legislative assembly, namely Sardarpura, Soorsagar, City), and three nominated members. Currently, the city has two civic bodies – Jodhpur North and Jodhpur South each headed by a mayor. Each municipal corporation has 80 wards, making a total of 160 wards in the city.[56] The Jodhpur Development Authority (JDA) executes and supervises plans and schemes for the development of the urban region.[57]
In 2012-13 Railway Budget,A plan for building a High Speed Rail Corridor between Delhi-Jodhpur via Jaipur and Ajmer of 591 km was introduced which later in 2020 was included in HSR by Indian Railways and Government of India and now is in Pre-Feasibility phase.[59]
In 2013, a plan to start metro train service in Jodhpur was proposed by then Rajasthan Government to decongest the city traffic. However, this proposal is still pending with the state government for its approval.[60] But in 2021, Jodhpur Development Authority and Municipal Corporations made a Future Mobility Plan where a 35-km Metro Line is proposed fromIIT Jodhpur to Jaisalmer Bypass after Year 2030. With another proposed 11 more BRTS Corridors in Jodhpur between 2021–2030 to provide public transport to the increasing population before starting Metro.[61]
Jodhpur Airport is one of the prominent airports of Rajasthan. It is primarily a military airbase with a civilian enclosure to allow for civilian air traffic. Due to Jodhpur's strategic location, this airport is regarded as one of the most important ones for the Indian Air Force.[63]
At present, direct flights from Ahmedabad, Belgaum, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata and Mumbai to the city are operated byAir India,Indigo,SpiceJet, andStar Air.
Construction of new terminal began in late 2023 and is slated to complete by the end of 2025..[63]
Road
Jodhpur is connected by road to all major cities in Rajasthan and neighboring states, such as Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Ujjain, and Agra. Apart from deluxe and express bus services to cities within the state, Rajasthan Roadways provides Volvo and Mercedes Benz bus service to Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer. In 2016, Bus Rapid Transit System Jodhpur was launched in the city with low-floor and semi-low-floor buses plying on 6 major routes.[64]Jodhpur is connected to theNational Highway network with three national highways and to theRajasthan State Highway network with 10 state highways.Jodhpur Ring Road is under construction encircling Jodhpur to reduce vehicular traffic.[65]
National highways passing through Jodhpur include:
NH-62, Ambala-Kaithal-Hissar-Fatehpur-Jodhpur-Pali; total length = 690 km
NH-112, Junction with NH-14 near Bar connecting Jaitaran-Bilara-Kaparda-Jodhpur-Kalyanpur-Pachpadra-Balotra-Tilwara-Kher-Bagundi-Dhudhwa-Madhasar-Kawas and terminating at its junction with NH 15 near Barmer; total length= 343 km
NH-114, Junction with NH-65 near Jodhpur connecting Balesar - Dechhu and terminating at its junction with NH-15 near Pokaran; total length= 180 km
State highways passing through Jodhpur are:
SH-19,Phalodi (NH 15) to Needar via Ahu, Chadi, Pachudi, Nagaur, Tarneu, Khatu Kalan, Khatu khurd,Toshina, Kuchaman City, Bhuni, Maroth, Deoli Minda, Renwal Crossing, Kaladera; total length = 368 km
SH-21, Dantiweara toMerta City via Pipar City, Borunda; total length = 97 km
SH-28,Phalodi (NH 15) to Ramji ki Gol via Deeechu, Shergarh, Pachpadra, Balotra, Sindri, Guda Malani; total length = 259 km
SH-58, Jodhpur to Bheem up to NH 8 via Vinakiya, Rajola Sojat, Rendiri, Bhaisana, Sojat Road, Kantalia, Baban; total length = 142 km
SH-61,Phalodi (NH 15) to Mandal via Osian, Mathania, Jodhpur, Khejrali, Bhatenda, Saradasamand, Jadan, Marwar Junction, Auwa, Jojawar, Kamalighat, Devgarh, Rajaji ka kareda; total length = 349 km
SH-62, Bilara to Pindwara via Sojat, Sireeyari, Jojawar, Bagol, Desuri, Sadri, Sewari; total length = 187 km
SH-63, Banar to Kuchera via Bhopalgarh Asop; total length = 129 km
SH-65,Sheo (NH 15) to Shergarh via Bhiyad, Barnawa Jagger, Patodi, Phalsoond; total length = 155 km
SH-66, Siwana to Dhandhaniya (NH 114) via Samdari, Kalyanpur, Mandli Rodhawa Kalan; total length = 90 km
SH-68, Dangiyawas (NH 112) to Balotra via Kakelao, Khejarli, Guda Kakani, Luni, Dhundhara, Rampura, Samdari; total length = 131 km
Paota Bus Stand[66] is the most important[67] bus stand for all government and private buses[68] to and from Jodhpur[69][70] The route is operated by theRSRTC. This Bus stand serves various rural andurban areas. This is the biggestBus stand in Jodhpur.
Sports
Jodhpur has two outdoor stadiums and one indoor stadium complex:
^Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.).India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 178.
^Mohammad Habib, Khaliq Ahmad Nizami (1970).A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF INDIA VOL.5. PEOPLE’S PUBLISHING HOUSE,NEW DELHI. p. 811.Rao Chunda, son of Rao Biram, who rose to prominence by establishing hinself at Mandor....He successfully resisted the attack of Zafar Khan of Gujarat on Mandor in 1396. Taking advantage of the confusion and disorder due to the weak rule of the Tughlaqs of Delhi, he conducted continuous operations against the imperial officers and occupied Khatu, Didwana, Sambhar, Nagaur and Ajmer. By defeating the Chauhans he also captured Nadol....captured Phalodi in 1411, because Jai Singh did not co-operate with him in his expeditions against the inperial territories... treacherously murdered Chunda in 1423. Nevertheless during Chunda's reign Marwar rose to a position of eminence.
^Kothiyal, Tanuja (2016).Nomadic Narratives: A History of Mobility and Identity in the Great Indian. Cambridgr University Press. p. 76.ISBN9781107080317.the Rathor strongholds came under attack from the Delhi Sultanate especially as Nagaur, Jalore and Siwana became garrisons of the sultanate. Years later, Jodha succeeded on forging alliances with Deoras, Eendas, Sanklas and Bhatis from Janglu, Pugal and Jaisalmer. Subsequently Merta, Phalodi, Pokhran, Bhadrajun, Sojat, Jaitaran, Siwana, Nagaur and Godwar were permanently added to the Rathor territory, thus making Marwar the most powerful kingdom in Rajputana.
^"Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area, Rajasthan".NICDC.in. National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation. 2023. Retrieved29 September 2023.Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area (JPMIA) is being developed as an Industrial Area in the state of Rajasthan in the influence area of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
^Wall Paintings of Rajasthan. Jawahar Kala Kendra. 1998.Nath yogis blessing their devotees. On the high frieze of the inner chamber, Nath yogeshwars have been portrayed. The exterior wall paintings contain names of the dignitaries visiting this shrine which includes charans, nobles and Rajas like Rao Ratan Si Rathore, Dalo Charan, Mahmud Mustapo, Kano Charan, Shrimo Charan, Tolikan Gyani, Gaur Ram Singhji, Dharamsi, Shah Adhit, Gogo Chauhana, Gogade Rathore, Malinath Rathore, Raja Gopichand and Chidiya Nathji.
Marwar under Jaswant Singh, (1658–1678): Jodhpur hukumat ri bahi, by Satish Chandra, Raghubir Sinh,Ghanshyam Dattan Singh of Jodhpur and His Times (1803–1843 A.D.), by padmaja Sharma. Published by Shiva Lal Agarwala, 1972.
The Administration of Jodhpur State, 1800–1947 A.D., by Nirmala M. Upadhyaya. International Publishers, Sharma. Published by Meenakshi Prakashan, 1976.
The History of Rajputana-Vol.IV, PartII. The History of the Jodhpur State, Part II, Veer Durgadas. 1941, Dr. Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha.
Pandit Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha(1999–2006).Udaipur Rajya ka Itihasa (History: Kingdom of Udaipur). Publisher: Rajasthani Granthaghar, Jodhpur.
Pratap Singh Mehta (2016). Rajputana Chronicles: Guns and Glories – The thousand-year story of the Bachhawat clan, Notion Press Media, Chennai.ISBN978-93-5206-600-1
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