JODHPUR - INTRODUCTION
Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Rao Jodha in 1459. Jodhpur located on the edge of the Thar Desert. Rising majestically over the rocky and rugged terrain is one of Rajasthan's finest forts-the Mehrangarh Fort. Jodhpur has Jaisalmer on its west, Barmar, Jalor and Pali on its south, Bikaner on its north, and Nagaur on the eastern side. Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and a major tourist attraction in the country.The city is like an oasis in the vast desert, with a variety of thorny shrubs all over the area. It also has some of the animal species that can survive in an arid and dry environment.

JODHPUR - HISTORY
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Jodhpur city was the erstwhile capital of the Marwar state. History of Jodhpur goes like this. A 10-km-long wall made of stone and built about a century after the city was founded, surrounds the old city. There are about 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements.The Rathores always had good relationships with the Mughals and Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678) supported Shahjahan in the Mughal struggle for war of succession. Only problematic relationship they had was with Aurangzeb.The Rathore Rajputs moved to Marwar - 'the region of death' in 1211 when they were defeated by Muhammad Ghori at Kannauj. Rao Jodha, the Rathore chieftain was forced to leave the former Rajput capital at Mandore in 1459, as the place was not located strategically. They chose a new place, located 8 km from the Mandore on the edge of Thar Desert. Rahores controlled a large part of Rajasthan, especially during the reigns of Rao Udai Singh (1581 AD) and his son Raja Sur Singh ((1595), who conquered Gujarat and a good part of Deccan for the Mughal Emperor Akbar. After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, Maharaja Ajit Singh became the ruler of Jodhpur. He drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added substantially to the Mehrangarh Fort.The city of Jodhpur prospered because of its location on the strategic Delhi - Gujarat trading route. Now all part of History of Jodhpur.

Tourist Places in Jodhpur

1. Mandore (the former capital)
2. Old Cenotaphs of the Rathore rulers
3. Famous Osian
4. Ancient Jain temples
5. Famous Sun temple
6. Safari and explore Jhalmand
7. Mahamandir and Balsamand Lake
8. Sardar Samand (used to be a hunting lodge)