Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is believed to be one of the very few “living forts” in the world (such as Carcassonne, France), as nearly one-fourth of the old city’s population still resides within the fort.

if one wants to see the replica of the fort, which was shown in the television cartoon “Arabian nights”, then Jaisalmer fort is the place to be. Counted amongst the largest forts in the world, Jaisalmer fort is the most popular landmark of Jaisalmer city. Unlike other forts of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer fort houses museums, shops, restaurants, residential accommodations, hotels, etc.

The fort was built in 1156 and is a proud chattel of the Bhati clan. Rawal Jaiswal was the founder of Jaisalmer city, and the Jaisalmer fort was built during his reign. It is a 250-foot-tall fort, which is protected by 30 feet-long walls. The fort constitutes 99 bastions, amongst these 92 were built between 1633 and 1647. One can see the fusion of Islamic and Rajput architecture. There are 4 gateways to reach this fort i.e. Ganesh Pol, Akshaya Pol, Suraj Pol, and Hawa Pol. Jaisalmer Fort is situated on Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles.

The main attractions inside the fort are the Raj Mahal (Royal palace), Jain temples, and the Laxminath temple. The fort is made as per the actual Rajasthan standards and features a city against a red-and-yellow background.

The Jaisalmer Fort is one of the few living monuments in the world and home to a fourth of the city’s population. The view of the sunset from this fort is a treat to the eyes of all travelers, especially photographers. Jaisalmer fort is popularly known as the “Sonar Kila” because it is made of yellow sandstone. The fort looks golden in the early morning when the first rays of the sun reach the ground. The Jaisalmer fort seems like a palace in the fairy tales and dominates the tinted small town of Jaisalmer.