URBAN PLANNING

FOURTH YEAR “A”

JAISALMER
,RAJASTHAN
INDIA
“THE GOLDEN CITY”
FORMED BY- CHIRAG MEHER
DARSHI BHALLA
 INTRODUCTION TO JAISALMER

Jaisalmer is named after Rawal Jaisal, a Bhati ruler

who founded the city in1156AD
Jaisalmer means the Hill Fort of Jaisal. Jaisalmer is
sometimes called the "Golden City of India"
because the yellow sandstone used throughout the
architecture of both the fort and the town below,
imbues both with a certain golden-yellow light.

FOUNDATION OF CITY ABOUT THE CITY

Jaisalmer was founded by Maharawal Jaisalmer is the prominent city

Jaisal in the year 1156 AD.
The ruling family of the erstwhile Jaisalmer
state belongs to Bhati clan of Yadu
Rajputs.
The historical origin of Bahttis which says
that the Yadu Rajpurs ruled and
constructed forts at Kashi, Mathura,
Pragvad, Gajni, Bhatner, Digam, Dirwal,
Lodurva and ninth in Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer was merged into the state of
Rajasthan, there was no important
change in the area of the state.
STREETS OF JAISALMER
and is known for its forts and
palaces of breathtaking grandeur
and whimsical charm.
The unique beauty of the place
represented in the contrasting
hues of gold against vivid shades
of blue and green makes
Jaisalmer an unforgettable
experience.

GENERAL INFORMATION STREETS AND BAZAARS OF

Population 23, 24, 319 (2001)
Area 23.3 sq. km. approx
Altitude 241.7 m above mean
sea level.
Jaisalmer has a very dry climate
with very hot summer; a cold
winter and sparse rains.
Temperature Summer Average
Max 49.2°C, Average Min.
25.8°C
Winter Average Max. 23.6°C
Average Min 5.0°C
Rainfall 57.51 cm
Languages Hindi, Rajasthani &
English.
JAISALMER-
The bazaars of Jaisalmer, famous
for local Rajasthani arts and crafts.
Products ranging from a wide
variety of mirror and embroidery
work to beautifully carved wooden
JAISALMER FORT boxes and Rajasthani puppets.
This fascinating city with its
romantic charm takes you to an
epoch of royalty and tradition.
SHOES, PUPPETS AND HANDICRAFTS
OF JAISALMER
 LOCATION AND CONTEXT

JAISALMER

RAJASTHAN

INDIA RAJASTHAN
LOCATION:-

• Jaisalmer is located on 26° 55’ north latitude and 75° 55’

east longitude.
• It’s muncipal boundary extends from 26 degree 46
minutes north latitude to 27 degree 01 minutes north
latitude and 75 degree 37 minutes east longitude to 76
degree 57 minutes .east longitude. CONTEXT OF JAISALMER
• The city is surrounded by the Nahargarh hills in the north
and Jhalana in the east, which is a part of Aravalli hills -
ranges.
• To the south and the west of the city are also prevailing
hillocks but they are isolated and discontinuous in
formation.
• The southern end of the city is open to plain and stretches
far and wide towards Sanganer and beyond.
JODHPUR AJMER
• The walled city was originally located on the rocky street
to provide an easy drainage system on either side of the
city but the.
• Future expansion of the city took place on the south and
west on the alluvial plains formed in the confluence’s zone
of the Amani Shah nala in the west and Jawahar Nagar
nala in the east and beyond.
KISANGARH DELHI AGRA
City Population(2011) 669919 S.NO. CITY NAME DISTANCE
Area: 38401 Sq. Km. 1 Agra 246 km. Connected by Road & Trains

Number of Houses: 4.5 Lac (BPL Families : 26127) 2 Ahmedabad 626 km. Connected by Road, Trains and Air

Zones: City is divided into 8 geographical

3 Chandigarh 510 km. Connected by Road & Trains
zones :
4 Calcutta 1472 km. Connected by Road, Trains and Air
Wards: 91
5 Delhi 864 km. Connected by Road & Trains
Elected Members: 91
6 Mumbai 1177 km. Connected by Road, Trains and Air
Co-opted Member: -
7 Ajmer 132 km. Connected by Road & Trains
Ex-officeio Members: 12 (10 MLAs and 2 MPs)
8 Udaipur 420 km. Connected by Road, Trains and Air
Standing Committees: 15S
9 Jodhpur 340 km. Connected by Road, Trains and Air
Budget size: 941 Crore Rs.
10 Jaipur 558 km. Connected by Road & Trains
Slums: JNN : 164, JDA- 47, Total -
211
Surveyed Family: JNN: 43718, JDA- 12753, Total -
56471
BPL Families: 26127
 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF JAISALMER:-
• Jaisalmer being an arid desert POPULATION OF JAISALMER
region is prone to extremes in CITY:-
terms of temperatures.
• The temperature rises to an • In 1900 it had a population of
average of 49oC. 508,247.
• The city experiences monsoon • As of COUNTING IN 2011, the
showers in the months of July and city had a population of 669,919
August. , making it the tenth most
populous city in the country.
• Jaisalmer receives over 209.5mm
of rainfall every year
• With pleasant weather in the
month of October; November to
February, are the months when
city observe winters. The
temperature ranges in between 5-
15 oC during this season.

AREA OF JAISALMER CITY:-

38401SQ.KM
LITERACY RATES OF
JAISALMER CITY:-

• The overall literacy

rate for the city is
57.22%.
• 72.04% males and
39.71% females were
literate.
• According to the
2011 census, Hindus
form the majority
religious group
comprising 74.19% of
the city's population,
followed
by Muslims (25.10),
Jains (0.23%) and
others (0.47%)

COMMUNITIES IN JAISALMER
• Rajasthanis form an ethno-linguistic group that is distinct
in its language, history, cultural and religious practices,
social structure, literature, and art.
• However, there are many different castes and
communities, with diversified traditions of their own.
Major sub ethnic groups are Ahirs, Jats, Gurjars,
[{Brahmins}], Rajputs, Rajput Mali, Meenas, Bhils, Kalvi,
Garasia, Vaishya(Baniya), Kanjar etc.
 HISTORY OF JAISALMER
The Bhatti Rajput chieftain Rawal Jaisal
founded Jaisalmer in 1156. The legend
goes that the occupied found a
Jaisalmer as a more secure place to
build castle. This castle was built on the
Trikuta Hill. The top of hill obtainable the
safest fort location, dominating and
surveying the desert for miles. The history
of Jaisalmer is complete with a number
of legends as well. According to one,
Lord Krishna had predicted that a
successor of the Yadav clan would
establish a terrifying kingdom atop the
Trikuta Hill in Jaisalmer. True to his words,
Rawal Jaisal recognized his kingdom on
this very hill.

JAISALMER THE GOLDEN CITY

Jaisalmer is a former medieval trading
center and a princely state in the
western Indian state of Rajasthan, in the
heart of the Thar Desert. Known as the
“Golden City,” it’s distinguished by its
yellow sandstone architecture.
Dominating the skyline is Jaisalmer Fort, a
sprawling hilltop citadel buttressed by 99
bastions. Behind its massive walls stand
the ornate Maharaja’s Palace and
intricately carved Jain temples.

ECONOMY

• Tourism is a major industry in

Jaisalmer.
• The Government of India initiated
departmental exploration for oil in
1955–56 in the Jaisalmer area. Oil
India Limited discovered natural
gas in 1988 in the Jaisalmer basin.
• Musicians and dancers are also a
major cultural export from Jaisalmer
to the rest of the world. Merasi
(formerly Manganiyar, a
derogatory term meaning
"beggar") musicians have played
the world over, and Queen
Harish, the dancing desert drag
queen, is touring the world and has
featured in international movies.
• Jaisalmer is also known for its
leather messenger bags, made
from wild camels native to the
area.
CITY PLAN OF JAISALMER

URBAN STUDIES
 EVOLUTION OF JAISALMER CITY
MAHARAJA RAJA RAWAL JAISAL A BHATTI RAJPUT
RULER, IN APPROXIMATELY 1156 AD WHERE HE
CHOOSE TRIKUT HILL AS THE NEW SITE FOR HIS
FORT.

REASONS-1.MILITRAY REASONS AND

GEOGRAPHICAL REASONS
Defence

his previous abode at Luderwa was vulnerable

towards possible enemy assault.

Important trade routes (including the ancient Silk

road).

Jaisalmer had potential of developing into city

adequte drinking water –perrenial streamsand
good drainage system

southern edge of the city that bears its name; its

dominant hilltop location making the sprawling
towers of its fortifications visible for many miles
around.

earlier construction at Lodhruva, with which

Jaisal was dissatisfied.
TWO SIGNIFICANT FACTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ORIGIN
SITE SELECTION –JAISALMER OF THE CITY AND ITS SUBSEQUENT LAYOUT:

The need of a new capital for 18th century Dhoondhar

as the earlier one of Amber built on a hill was getting
congested.
Sawai Raja Jai Singh’s vision of the new capital as a
strong political statement at par with Mughal cities and
as a thriving trade and commerce hub for the region.

FORMATION OF FORT ROCK WITH TIME

THE SITE WITH THE NATURAL EAST WEST RIDGE AND THE SURROUNDING
FORTS AS DEFENSE FEATURE
Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan, built in
1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal from whom it derives its
name.
points of interest within the fort's walls and grounds include:-

 Four massive gateways through which visitors to the fort must pass,
situated along with the main approach to the citadel.

 The Raj Mahal Palace, former residence of the Maharawal of

Jaisalmer.

 Jain Temples: Inside Jaisalmer Fort, there are 7 Jain temples built by TRIKUT HILL TO JAISALMER AS TRADE AND COMMERCE HUB
yellow sandstone during 12-16th century. Askaran Chopra
of merta built a huge temple dedicated to sambhavnatha.
PLANNING OF JAISALMER
It is based on Hindu systems of town
planning.
Cluster space is quite frequently found,
particularly in the upper city.
The architecture of the city displays a
strong essence of anonymity which is
essentially a cultural trait
There are major street oriented almost
E-W and minor streets at right angles
to these.
Speaking about the streets Jaisalmer is
a compact network of short streets.
With fairly high buildings and the
streets rarely more than four meters ANCIENT STONE MADE MAP OF GOLDEN FORT
SYSTEMATIC PLANNING OF
wide and the latter are always in the OF GOLDEN FORT OF JAISALMER ,RAJASTHAN, INDIA
CENTRAL AREA OF JAISALMER
cool shade.
ZONING OF THE CITY

SHADOW ANALYSIS OF
JAISALMER CLUSTER
MANDLA
The mandala could not be
complete in the NW due to
the presence of the hills.
On the other hand in the
SE an extra square has
been added that plugged It is believed to be one of the very few "living forts" in
the gap between the city the world as nearly one fourth of the old city's
population still resides within the fort. For the better
and the eastern hills.
part of its 800-year history, the fort was the city of
Jaisalmer. The first settlements outside the fort walls, to
accommodate the growing population of Jaisalmer,
are said to have come up in the 17th century.

PLAN SHOWING ALL THE ROAD ROUTES TO THE FORT AND AROUND THE CITY
FESTIVALS

DESERT FESTIVAL
• Desert Festival is celebrated in the
month of February. This colorful
festival is celebrated for three days.
It reveals the local elements,
heritage and colorful culture of
Rajasthan.
• Desert festival was started
in Jaisalmer with the purpose
to attract the foreign tourists and at
the same time to introduce them
the rich culture of exotic Rajasthan.
• The main attractions of the Desert
Festival are Snack charmers,
amazing puppet show, acrobats,
music and dance performances by
folks. The events like camel races,
camel dance, camel polo and
camel decoration, are pretty
exciting.

TEEJ FESTIVAL
Teej is the festivals for married women. This
is a very colorful fest, when all the married
women wear new, bright-colored dresses
and ornaments. They apply Mehendi
(hina) in their hands. This is the auspicious
day, when Goddess Parvati is worshiped
and women pray for the long life of their
husbands.

DIWALI
This is one of the important festival of
Jaisalmer. On this day Goddess of
wealth Laxmi, and Lord Ganesha are
worshiped. People decorate their
houses with lights and diyas, also
delicious sweets and dishes are
prepared.