JAISALMER, an Indian state in the Rajputana agency. Its area is 16,062 sq.m. ; and in 1931 the population was 76,255. Jaisalmer is almost entirely a sandy waste, forming a part of the great Indian desert (q.v.). The general aspect of the country is that of an interminable sea of sandhills, of all shapes and sizes, some rising to a height of 150 ft. There are no perennial streams, and only one small river, the Kakni, which, after flowing a distance of 28 m., spreads over a large surface of flat ground, and forms a lake or jhil called the Bhuj-Jhil. The climate is dry and healthy. Throughout Jaisalmer only the poorer rain-crops are grown ; spring crops of wheat, barley, etc., are very rare. The main part of the population lead a wandering life, grazing their flocks and herds. Large herds of camels, horned cattle, sheep and goats are kept. The principal trade is in wool, ghi, camels, cattle and sheep. The capital is a small town, famed for its yellowish sandstone buildings, its Jain temples and a fine fort. The ruler has the style of Maharawal, and a salute of 15 guns.
The majority of the inhabitants are Bhatti Rajputs, who take their name from an ancestor named Bhatti, renowned as a warrior before the tribe were driven from the Punjab into this oasis in the Great desert. Deoraj, a famous prince of the Bhatti family, is
esteemed the real founder of the present Jaisalmer dynasty, and with him the title of rawal commenced. In 1156 Jaisal, the sixth in succession from Deoraj, founded the fort and city of Jaisalmer, and made it his capital. It was sacked by the emperor Ala-ud-din after an eight years' siege ; ultimately, in the time of Rawal Sabal Singh the clan had to accept the supremacy of the Mogul emperor Shah Jahan. The Jaisalmer princes had now arrived at the height of their power, but from this time till the accession of Rawal Mulraj in 1762 the fortunes of the state rapidly declined, and most of its outlying provinces were lost. In 1818 Mulraj entered into political relations with the British, and some of the territory which had been lost in the previous century was restored after the conquest of Sindh.