Life in Jodhpur
focuses very much around the Jodhpur Fort, still almost completely encircled by
the strong walls erected by Rao Maldeo in the 1500s. The blue wash applied to
most of the houses huddled beneath it is often erroneously said to denote
high-caste brahmin residences. In fact, it originally resulted from the addition
of copper sulphate to white lime wash, thought to protect the buildings from
termites and other insect pests. Over time the distinctive color caught on and
there's now even a blue-wash mosque on the road from the Jalori Gate, west of
the fort.
The bazaars of the old city are gathered around the tall clock tower , with
different areas assigned to different trades. Locally made goods include
tie-dye, puppets and lacquered jewelry.
Jalori Gate and Sojati Gate lead out of the old city to the south, near the
railway station, GPO and hospital. Beyond the walls, more modern buildings
spread east and west of the old boundaries, the domes of Umaid Bhawan dominating
the scene to the southeast.
Life in Jodhpur
focuses very much around the Jodhpur Fort, still almost completely encircled by
the strong walls erected by Rao Maldeo in the 1500s. The blue wash applied to
most of the houses huddled beneath it is often erroneously said to denote
high-caste brahmin residences. In fact, it originally resulted from the addition
of copper sulphate to white lime wash, thought to protect the buildings from
termites and other insect pests. Over time the distinctive color caught on and
there's now even a blue-wash mosque on the road from the Jalori Gate, west of
the fort.