Travel Matrix • City Information

City Information

History of Jodhpur
This bustling desert city is the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and has landscape dominated by the massive Meherangarh Fort topping a sheer rocky ridge. The old city is fenced by 10 km long wall with eight Gates leading out of it. The new city is outside the walled city. Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, founded the city in 1459 and it is named after him.

The Afghans drove the Rathores out of their original homeland Kaunaj and they fled to this region around Pali a short distance from present day Jodhpur. A manoeuvre lead to marriage between Rathore Siahaji and the sister of a local prince that helped the Rathores to establish and strengthen themselves in this region. In fact they flourished so well that managed to oust the Pratiharas of Mandore, just 9 km of present day Jodhpur. By 1459 a need for more secured capital lead to the founding of Meherangarh Fort on its rocky perch and Rao Jodha thus founded Jodhpur. The Rathores enjoyed good relations with the Mughals and Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678) supported Shah Jahan in the latter's struggle for war of succession. Only problematic relationship they had was with Aurangzeb. After Auranzeb's death Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar.

Places To Visit
Mehrangarh Fort, Phool Mahal, Moti Mahal, Shringar Chowk, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana, Umaid Vilas, Daulat Khana

History of Jaisalmer
Maharawal Jaisal founded the fort & town of JAISALMER in the year 1156 AD after having shifted his capital from Ludharva (18 Kms away from Jaisalmer) to a safer place. The ruling family of the erstwhile Jaisalmer State belongs to Bhati Clan of Yadu Rajputs of Chandrawasnshi (Lunar) race who claim descent from Lord Krishna,the defied hero who ruled at Dwarka. The historical origin of Bahttis can be inferred from the couplet which says that the Yadu Rajputs ruled and constructed Forst at Kashi,Madhura, Pragvad, Gajni, Bhatner, Digam, Dirwal, Lodurva and ninth in Jaisalmer. (Gajni is in Afganisthan and Dirawal is now in Pakistan).

Places to visit
Golden Jaisalmer Fort, Palace of the Maharawal, Nathmalji ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli

History Of Agra
Agra - the first impression is of a chaotic, overcrowded, polluted mess that can offer nothing of interest. But wait, hold your breath, for hiding behind the heat and the chaos is the stunning monument of cool white marble, the wonder that is called the Taj Mahal. In Agra layers of history are peeled away to reveal an amazing tapestry of life - of wars waged, of great architectural magnificence and above all a testimony of the undying love of a king for his queen.

That Agra is unparalleled as a travel destination is an established fact. Even Bill Clinton testified to as much when he declared the world was divided into two: those who have seen the Taj and those who have not! Besides the Taj Mahal though, there are a lot of other important sights in and around Agra. The Agra Fort, Moti Masjid and innumerable other attractions make the city feature on every travelers must-do-sightseeing list.

Travel a little outside Agra and you'll come to Fatehpur Sikri, a site for monuments that are historically as important as the Taj Mahal. Every tour guide who does Agra ensures that Fatehpur Sikri is also visited. There development in architectural style from Akbar's Sikri to Shah Jahan's Agra is important, and only if you see the monuments at both will you have begun to explore Mughal architecture. Fatehpur Sikri's sights include monuments from the times of Akbar: the Buland Darwaza and the Dargah of Salim Chishti.

Places To Visit
Taj mahal, Akbar's mausoleum at Sikandra, Ram Bagh - laid out by Babur Jama Masjid, Itmad-ud-daulah - Popularly known as 'baby Taj', Agra Fort

History of Allahabad
In the heart of northern India, watered by the two sacred rivers of Ganga and Yamuna lies the city of Allahabad. The two rivers along with the mythical river Saraswati meet in this holy city, creating the sangam (confluence), also known as the triveni (meeting of three rivers). Located on a strategic point in the heartland of India, Allahabad was also of great importance for the Mughal rulers and later the British. In Allahabad, the British formally transferred the governance of India from the East India Company to the Crown. In the subsequent years of struggle for independence from colonial rule, Allahabad became one of the focal points of the freedom fighters. Home to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, it witnessed many important landmarks in the freedom movement.

Places to visit
The Sangam , Allahabad Fort, Patalpuri temple, The Akshaya Vat - a venerable old banyan tree, Hanuman Temple, Anand Bhawan, Jawahar Planetarium