JAISALMER

city, western Rajasthan state, northwestern India. Connected by road with Jodhpur, Barmer, and Phalodi, the city is a major caravan centre, trading in wool, hides, salt, fuller's earth, camels, and sheep. Jaisalmer, noted for its buildings of yellowish-brown stone, was founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, a chief of the Rajputs (the warrior rulers of the historic region of Rajputana). The fort, on a hill that overlooks the city, houses the royal palace, several ancient Jaina temples, and a library called the Gyana Bhandar (A Store of Knowledge), which contains old Sanskrit and Prakrit manuscripts. The surrounding region, once a princely state, consists almost entirely of sandy waste, forming part of the Great Indian (Thar) Desert. The Kakni, the only river, spreads over a large area, forming Bhij Lake. Bajra (pearl millet) and jowar (sorghum) are the chief crops. The breeding of goats, camels, sheep, and cattle is widespread; and limestone, fuller's earth, and gypsum deposits are worked. In the 12th century Jaisalmer state reached the height of its power. After the sack of the capital by the Muslim Delhi emperor 'Ala'-ud-Din Khalji early in the 14th century, its fortunes declined. It subsequently became a Mughal fiefdom and entered into political relations with the British in 1818. In 1949 it joined the state of Rajasthan. Pop. (1991 prelim.) city, 38,813.