In this article, we provide comprehensive information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist destinations of Jodhpur City. Jodhpur, often called the “Blue City” or the “Sun City”, is a historic and culturally vibrant city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Known for its iconic blue-painted houses, grand forts, and desert landscapes, Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination and an important cultural hub.
| About: | Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan in north-western India after its capital, Jaipur, with a 2023 projected population of 1.83 million. It is also the administrative headquarters of Jodhpur district and Jodhpur division, was historic capital of the Kingdom of Marwar, and was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. On 11 August 1947 four days prior to the Indian independence, Maharaja Hanwant Singh the last ruler of Jodhpur state signed the Instrument of Accession and merged his state in Union of India. On 30 March 1949, Jodhpur state was merged into the newly formed state of Rajasthan, which was constituted by merging the erstwhile states of Rajputana Agency. Jodhpur, as a city, beautifully entwines history with modernity; hence, it is among the best tourist destinations of India with its palace, forts, and temples against the open background of the tawny Thar desert; it also gets referred to as “the Blue City” because of the abundant blue color of old towns’ buildings. The old town surrounds the Mehrangarh Fort, with a high wall and a few gates. As Jodhpur is positioned quite close to the centre of Rajasthan, it provides a comfortable base for traveling in a popular tourist destination. |
| History: | Jodhpur city was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha Rathore. Jodha succeeded in conquering the surrounding territory from the Delhi Sultanate and thus founded a kingdom that came to be known as Marwar. As Jodha hailed from the nearby town of Mandore, that town initially served as the capital of this state; however, Jodhpur soon took over that role, even during the lifetime of Jodha. The city was located on the strategic road linking Delhi to Gujarat. This enabled it to profit from a flourishing trade in opium, copper, silk, sandalwood, dates, and other tradeable goods In 1947, when India became independent, the state merged into the union, and Jodhpur became the second-largest city of Rajasthan. At the time of division, the ruler of Jodhpur, Hanwant Singh, did not want to join India, but finally, due to the effective persuasion of Vallabhbhai Patel at the time, the state of Jodhpur was included in the Indian Republic. Later after the State Reorganisation Act, 1956 came into effect, it was included within the state of Rajasthan. |
| Economy: | Jodhpur contributes $4 billion (approx) to Rajasthan’s economy through different Industries. It is also considered the center of India’s $200 million handicraft industry. The city is also a major tourist destination, claiming attractive heritage hotels and sights from its long history. |
| Geography: | Jodhpur has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), due to its very high potential evapotranspiration. Although the average rainfall is around 362 mm (14.3 in), which falls mostly from June to September, it fluctuates greatly. In the famine year of 1899, Jodhpur received only 24 mm (0.94 in), but in the flood year of 1917, it received as much as 1,178 mm (46.4 in). The Jojari River, a tributary of the Luni River, flows though the Jodhpur Urban Area from Banad to Salawas. Work commencing on this river is to usher in a Riverfront project instrumented for 35 kilometers inside the Jodhpur Urban Area and is under the auspices of the Namami Ganga Project of the Ministry of Jal Shakti from January 2021, though prior to this the project was under the domain of the Jodhpur Development Authority. Jodhpur postal pin code is 342001, falling under the Jodhpur postal division (Jodhpur Region). |
| Country : | India |
| State: | Rajasthan |
| District: | Jodhpur |
| Language: | Hindi |
| Population: | 3, 685, 681 (2011) |
| Literacy rate: | 81.56 % |
| Festivals: | Marwar Festival, Gangaur, Baithmaar Gangaur Mela, Teej, Nag Panchmi Fair, Sheetla Mata Fair, Baba Ramdev Pir Mela, Holi, Dipawali etc. |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | Ganesh Temple, Government Museum, Jaswant Thada, Mehrangarh Fort, Rai ka Bag Palace, Raj Ranchhodji Temple, Siddhnath, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Umaid Garden, Osian Temple, Palette Raj Gallery, Mehrangarh Fort Museum etc. |
