Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest fortifications in the world. It is listed as a World Heritage Sites and is located in the heart of the ancient city of Jailsalmer. It was built nearly a thousand years ago in 1156 AD where the whole population of the city lived within the walls of the fort. It stands among the rocks and sand of the desert and was the site of many battles during Medieval times. During the day, the fort’s color is beige lion color but changes to honey gold shimmer as the sun sets. The name given to it during Medieval times was Golden Fort .
This site had a major role in ancient trade route to Persia, Arabia, Egypt and Africa.
Today this fort is inhabited by 4,000 residents who depend mostly on tourists to shop and eat during their visit to the fort. 
Here is a shopping area image by http://www.india.travesphoto.com in the heart of the Golden Fort.
Royd photogrphing, Jaisalmer, August photography Royd, Matt photographing Royd and August, then Dbell photographing them all !
Jaislamer still is strategically significant as seen during India/Pakistani wars in 1965 and 1971. The Pakistani border is just across the desert and Jaisalmer is the last Indian city before the border.
Surprisingly and sadly there are new threats to the ancient fort and not huge Medieval armies. The threat is two fold. There are 500-600 thousand tourists who visit each year because it it one of Rajasthan’s most popular sites. There is an increase of people living inside the fort with plumbing and water needs. There is an usual fact about its construction on soft sand foundation which allows water seepage which damaging to the stability of the whole structure. The success of the old fort is also its nemesis.
We had about two hours to wander “aimlessly” through the windy, narrow streets often no wider than a pathway. It wasn’t long before I had this thought that I had been here before and of course I hadn’t. But being an association learner who compares and contrasts ideeas, places, and people in my search for understanding, I thought how similar the Golden Fort was to both Venice and the hill towns of Tuscany. Venice happens to be my favorite place in the world, my world, anyway, because of its mystery, beauty, and uniqueness. I never thought I would find a place that was similar but here it was. The vendors selling from small shops and displaying wares on blankets along the narrow winding streets opening to piazzas or other narrow streets all were similar. So I have uploaded some images from Google Public Domain that I hope will give you a glimpse of what I discovered !
The Golden Fort. . .
Venice. . .
Siena. . . .Tuscany
Venice. . .
Women in the Golden Fort visiting with their neighbors . . . . . .
The Golden Fort and Golden City of Jaisalmer as the sun sets! (From Wikepedia)
Oh, I have been so blessed to visit so many fascinating places and meet so many amazing people. Dbell is always chiding me when I complain about this or that. . . . mostly about his relentless touring! He says, “Architecture has been very, very good to you !” And of course he is right!
I would love to hear from my readers. . . .
images from Wikipedia, Google imges from Public Domain and India travel photo
TalesAlongTheWay 
Excellent, informative post as usual Anne. You are finding places the existence of which were hitherto unknown to me. The list of ‘must visits’ is growing!
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Oh that is your usual encouraging comment, Frederick. This was new to us too, and I am so glad we went to Jaisalmer. The camping in the desert was on the outskirts of the desert, too.
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What is at the top of your list of places you want to see? Have you traveled?
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Oops. . . sent to quickly. Rajasthan was a place we wanted to visit more of on this trip. It is just filled with all the picturesque places and people that visitors think of as India. In less than two weeks we are going back to the north for 10 days, I think. . . Taj Mahal, Golden Temple, Garden of the Massacre in Amritsar, the nightly border closing ceremony with Pakistan, and my all time favorite Indian place, Varanasi or Barnaras as it used to be known. The Hindus, in their mythology believe it is 9000 years old making it the oldest city on earth. Archaeologists think it is in the top 10 of oldest cities. Either way, that is old ! There we will meet the new day in a row boat , watching the sun rise over the Ganges!! Stay tuned!
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Oh, Anne, I wonder what it would feel like to walk in your shoes for a couple of weeks. But then I wonder what it would be like to walk a couple of weeks. You take me to the most wondrous places, and I thank you for our trips together. I love the places you find off the beaten path, and the history of each place you find. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Oh Angie, What a lovely comment. That makes me happy that you enjoy reading. You are such an inspiration. . . what a kind and gentle heart!
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Thanks Anne. I’ve had a couple of rough days with pain control during therapy, but I’m learning some ways to control it now, and improving. So, back to blogging and trying to catch up on reading the blogs. It’s going to take me some time to get to all of them, but I’ll catch up again eventually.
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Angie, I am sorry you had some bad days, and glad you are getting some relief now. I know that pain and your MS is a constant. You are very brave.
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Amazing! I’m loving sharing your trip xx
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Thank you, Elaine. It gives me so much pleasure to share!
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I still can’t believe how much these thin back streets look like the ones we have here. India and Scotland probably the age in terms of being a people. Maybe the architects thought these small streets, really thin and winding was the way to go. They are in France and Spain also. In-fact in a few places in Europe now I think.
Can’t get over the size of that place build the same time William Wallace died, isn’t History just something. I only mention Wallace as you mentioned War ‘was the site of many battles’
But that place is STUNNING. Just a look from Google Earth. I try and Google Earth where you are as much as I can. The image of that place from a distance is BREATHTAKING Anne. May I ask, do poor people live there or is it a tourist place or both? I only ask as here people live in all the famous places and for several months of the year have tourists.. x
Here are some back streets from Edinburgh, you see the similarities? Ask the expert what he thinks of this. Probably built same time also.
This is where we sealed off the plaque
Same (ish) right? 😀
x
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Shaun, I loved those pictures from Edinburgh which fit the model exactly! In fact, I think you may have shown some of them to me before. I guess I didn’t remember because I hadn’t experienced them in person. Oh, I would love to walk them!
Your questions was a good one about the poor people living in the fort. Gee, I really don’t know. We didn’t see any slums that are visible in in the cities. I don’t remember beggars either. I am guessing that there aren’t the very poor there. I loved that you are following me on Google Earth. . . . great way to see more than I can really tell!
And the photography you liked with the Golden Fort and City shimmering in the in the moon light! Guess what? It reminded me of the image you used to have of the Castle at night in Edinburgh that I loved! I think that is why I liked the Jaisalmer one so much, too!
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Yeah will say it again, that image of Golden Fort from afar must be what others see in images of Edinburgh castle in the city background…I don’t see it, I live here..lol.
And you are having some Journey for sure..Keep all the comments and pictures and write a book “An American in India” Something like that…Amazing story it will be.. Compare the USA to India on all levels also.. What is most democratic and why…. I would buy that!! x
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Excellent and interesting post about indian architecture! I really appreciate you! Grazie!
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Well, it is architecture all the time around here! I am not an architect but people are interested if it doesn’t get into too much detail. And that is me. . . . not too much detail!
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That’s great information already you posted
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I can’t find the long reply you left. It was about pick-pockets in Italy. . . yes there are and people on scooter bikes grab women’s bags. Lot of trouble on buses there as they are crowded. That is a bummer losing your shoes. One boy last time in India was afraid someone would steal his expensive sneakers. . . Air Jordan’s I think. We laughed at his because he was well over 6 feet and the shoes were ssoze 14 or something. Way too big for men over here!
The gun situation in the US. School shootings are terrible, despicable, should never happen. But guns don’t kill people, people kill people. They should be locked up in houses away from children and usually the kids have been proven to be having mental and or emotional problems to cause this murderous anger. I am asked this question a lot and it is hard for the rest of the world to understand. To own and bare arms is one of the listed rights of Americans and the % is huge over 60% that don’t want that changed. I think it goes back to when we found England for our independence just ordinary men who hunted etc/
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that’s so nice reply, even some indians were pushed to the railways and he got died on the spot, i read in news long back, i am bit concerned about this when think of travelling to US, don’t know who will take out gun, but I believe people are so nice but still some vent out anger this way upon their own people, people are there everywhere, we ought to be careful and courageous! thanks! 🙂
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Oh, now I do remember an Indian was pushed into a subway track, I think. Terrible. Sadly this is a downside of democracy. . . . Freedom is good but not perfect. There are always some people who do bad things and hurt others. I don’t want a police state and it seems that is going the way of that in the US. I hope you will still visit , keep your valuables in a safe place, and travel through my beautiful country. And be safe and happy!
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I will surely travel as I got some good friends over there, I am courageous enough 🙂 thanks for your support and for your information you surpassed my top commenters and you are the second top commenter on my blog. Bravo!
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Well, crossing the streets in the US is not such a crowded, hectic experience as it is in India !
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Hello, Thanks for sharing such a fantastic blog.I really appreciate your blog to share information about Forts at Jaisalmer …Visiting in India is amazing experience. This is amazing place with historical monuments and rich traditional culture….nice blog….
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One of my favorite places! Are you from the Punjab? Love it there too. Just pretty much love India! Thanks. For stopping by!
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