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 The history of Jodhpur can be traced back to the period when Jodhpur was ruled by the Rathores. The Rathores belonging to the family of the sun were the proud rulers of the kingdom of Jodhpur until Mohammad Ghori, the notorious Afghan forcefully annexed Kanauj, the original homeland of the Rathores, thus impelling them to flee Kanauj. The then Rathore ruler Raja Jai Chand fled the place carrying the Rathore five-colored flag. After wandering for a considerable period, the Rathores ultimately settled in Pali which is not far from Jodhpur.
A matrimonial alliance between Rathore Siahaji and the sister of a local prince strengthened the Rathore stronghold in this particular region. By 1453 the Rathores had grown in number large enough to organize an army and capture Mandore, the capital of Marwar. A momentous event in the history of Jodhpur was when Rao Jodha made up his mind to shift base from Mandore to Jodhpur. The need for the foundation of a secured capital was instrumental in the construction of the Mehrangarh Fort and Jodhpur was thus founded By Rao Jodha. Jodha continued to live for another thirty years and at the time of his death his progeny was enjoying authority over eighty thousand square miles of territory.
Raja Maldeo has a significant role in the Jodhpur history. It was under Raja Maldeo that Jodhpur reached new heights and was able to extend its sphere of influence. In the latter half of the sixteenth century he was in the possession of Nagore, Ajmer and Jalore. He was also instrumental is divesting Bika’s heirs of the supreme power they enjoyed in Bikaner. The Rathores shared a good rapport with the Mughals. In fact Shah Jahan received a good deal of support from Maharaja Jaswant Singh in his struggle for the war of succession. The relation between the imperial house and Jodhpur was further deepened by Jodha Bai’s marriage with Emperor Akbar. The history of Jodhpur is replete with a number of politically motivated weddings. It was during the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh that Jodhpur evolved as a fine modern city. Even to the present day Jodhpur is symbolic of valour and equestrian skills.
Indianholiday.com is a repository of usable inputs on History of Jodhpur and on tours to Jodhpur.
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