The Golden Fort

• Who founded it? How?

  Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal after he met a sage who told him Krishna (deity In Hinduism)  has prophesied that a kingdom would be built upon the Trikuta Hill within the Thar desert.
• What form is it?

  Defensive architecture
• When was it founded?

  1156 (Pre 1850)
• Why is the fort so significant?

  (1)Located near a 2,000 year old Silk Trade Route which connects China to Turkey and Italy via India and Central Asia

  (2)Positioned near the man-made lake reservoir named Gadisar Lake (only source of water).
• State the reasoning for the defensive success of the fort

  It survived an 8 year long siege by, caused by the Mughals, led by Allaudin Khilji of Delhi, following an attack on his caravan.  
• Give the critical text

  “a golden tiara in the morning sun” & “ a scruffy old lion lying in wait for its prey” (Agarawala)
• Give a point about the contrast in architecture / function

  Point: There is a contrast in the architecture and therefore function between the facade and the inside of the fort.

  Reasoning: The outside of the fort upholds a prominent / imposing scale with undulating, curvilinear, crenelated 460m long wall.

  Effect: Designed to impress and intimidate the enemy with a sense of awe from a large distance to intensify the power / affluence of the ruler. & Can pour boiling water onto attackers below.

  
• Give a point about the layers of the walls

  Point: The 3 layers of walls consist of strong/durable sandstone.

  Effect: Help fortify & camouflage the structure

  
• Give a point about the lowest level of the fort

  Point: The lowest level of the fort contains 9m high bastions (watch-towers)

  Effect: Aid to form a defensive inner wall perimeter as the defenders can safely observe oncoming enemies from a far distance.

  
• Give a point about what is within these concentric walls

  Point: Within the concentric walls (which follow the scarped side of the hill) are crenelated battlements with two tired loopholes.

  Effect: Functioning to protect the defenders by giving them part of the parapet to hide behind + enabling them to carefully fire their arrow to the target while avoiding the counterattack.

  
• Give a point about the fort's main gate

  Point: The fort's main gate is 60 feet tall carved from India rosewood containing a multitude of spikes protruding outward of the gate’s frame.

  Effect: attempting to deter and impale elephants/enemies trying to break through and enter the fort.

  
• Give a point about the entrance inside the main gate

  Point: Inside the entrance are 3m wide streets which meander “snake-like” around the fort.

  Effect: Slowing down attackers, to gain defensive back up.

  
• Give a point about the inside of the fort

  Point: Jaisalmer is now famous for its architectural embellishments.

  Reasoning: Seven Jain temples, the royal palace, and the merchant's houses (havelis) which uphold a contrasting function to the outer façade as they are not defensive, and are highly decorative to commemorate and celebrate the culture.

  
• Give the conclusion point

  Even though the façade is highly successful in its defensive architecture, the significant success of the appearance and function of both the inside and the outside can be revealed through = UNESCO World Heritage Site