Known as ‘The Blue City’ Jodhpur is so called due to the preponderance of buildings painted in indigo. Some say this was to keep things cool in the desert city, others that the copper sulphate applied to the homes to repel instincts has turned blue over time (similar to the green effect of copper) , others that it is to honour the god Lord Shiva. Whatever the reason – it looks amazing when looked at from the Mehrangarh Fort’ s battlements.

The second largest city in Rajesthan was founded in 1459 and grew in stature and size due to its strategic location on the trade road linking Delhi and Gujarat. It was also on the border between the kingdoms of the Mughal Emperor to the north and the Marwar so has changed ownership over the centuries.

From Salawas we set off in a wrangler jeep for a day of exploring this wonderful city and its prime locations. First up was the fort.

Built By Titans

Rudyard Kipling, the British-Indian author of The Jungle Book has the best description for this fort (and we totally agree!)

A palace that might have been built by Titans and coloured by the morning sun”

Kipling

Built in the 16th century the fort dominates the cities skyline and it contains an impressive array of seven gates. The best of which is Loha Pol – the last of the gates leading into the main fort complex. Built at a right angle to the escarpment and lined with spikes it deterred all Elephant ramming attacks. To the left on the walls are also some handprint marks left by princesses and ranis who had committed Sati after the death of their husbands.

Inside the fort are various palaces and museums that take you all the way to the top of the fortress and contains the best selection of paintings, Elephant Howdahs and ancient weaponry in all of Rajasthan. It’s battlements are littered with artillery pieces, most of which were the booty of war. Best picks are Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) and Sheesha Mahal (Mirror Palace).

It is a simply breathtaking piece of architecture, bristling with history, character and most impressive.

After 2 hours of exploring the guide took us down the hill slightly to the milky-white memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II – Jaswant Thada. While small this was still a good place to visit and was very peaceful. The views alone were worth the admission price.

The last stop on our tour was the Umaid Bhawan Palace. A hilltop palace we had spotted in the distance all day. It is the current residence of the royal incumbent Gaj Singh II and was designed by British architect Henry Lancaster. The highlight of this was the vintage car collection , complete with some nice Rolls Royce Phantoms and a weird room full of antique clocks – a bit like the place Captain Hook kept all the clocks after his run-in with the crocodile!

We stopped by the garden cafe for a drink and it was here that I was told about the “nasty cruel religious groups” in Ireland that as soon as they see you they kill you. Obviously the GFA hadn’t reached India’s airwaves yet.

And that was Jodhpur

Next Up is Udaipur via Ranakpur Temple.