Introduction to the Genesis of Jodhpur
To comprehend the genesis of Jodhpur, one must dive deeper into Indian history. A significant turning point occurred in 1194 when Mohammed Gauri emerged victorious over the powerful Jaichand of Kanauj. Sheoji, the prince of Kannauj and Jaichand's great-grandson founded the Marwar State of Rathores. The Palliwal Brahmans from Kannauj invited him to defend them, and Sheoji rode out to Marwar in 1226, eager for fresh battlefields and glory. The Rathores proudly carry the name of Sheoji's descendants and went on to rule Marwar. To comprehend the genesis of Jodhpur, one must dive deeper into Indian history. A significant turning point occurred in 1194 when Mohammed Gauri emerged victorious over the powerful Jaichand of Kanauj. Sheoji, the prince of Kannauj and Jaichand's great-grandson founded the Marwar State of Rathores. The Palliwal Brahmans from Kannauj invited him to defend them, and Sheoji rode out to Marwar in 1226, eager for fresh battlefields and glory. The Rathores proudly carry the name of Sheoji's descendants and went on to rule Marwar.
Mandore: The Principle City of Marwar
In 1226, Mandore was the principal city of Marwar. Today, Mandore is a fifteen-minute drive from Jodhpur, and Pali is an hour's drive south. Sheoji first conquered Pali, a rich commercial center, and over the decades, the Rathores expanded steadily. It was only in 1395, during the reign of their twelfth ruler, Rao Chunda, that they acquired Mandore, not by conquest but through a royal marriage. In 1226, Mandore was the principal city of Marwar. Today, Mandore is a fifteen-minute drive from Jodhpur, and Pali is an hour's drive south. Sheoji first conquered Pali, a rich commercial center, and over the decades, the Rathores expanded steadily. It was only in 1395, during the reign of their twelfth ruler, Rao Chunda, that they acquired Mandore, not by conquest but through a royal marriage.
Rathore’s Regaining of Mandore
In 1292, the Parihar Rajputs lost Mandore to the Khilji Sultans of Delhi, who held the city until 1395 when their governor in Mandore, Aibak Khan, demanded fodder and the tax on grain. The Parihars, tired of this autocratic man, hatched a plan similar to the famous Trojan Horse but with even greater bravery. Two and a half thousand Parihars smuggled themselves into the fortified city in five hundred cart-loads of grass, which were checked randomly and prodded with spears. Some men were pierced, but they did not utter a sound and even managed to wipe their blood off the spears as they were withdrawn. Then, the Parihars fell upon the Muslims, and within an hour, Mandore was once again in their... In 1292, the Parihar Rajputs lost Mandore to the Khilji Sultans of Delhi, who held the city until 1395 when their governor in Mandore, Aibak Khan, demanded fodder and the tax on grain. The Parihars, tired of this autocratic man, hatched a plan similar to the famous Trojan Horse but with even greater bravery. Two and a half thousand Parihars smuggled themselves into the fortified city in five hundred cart-loads of grass, which were checked randomly and prodded with spears. Some men were pierced, but they did not utter a sound and even managed to wipe their blood off the spears as they were withdrawn. Then, the Parihars fell upon the Muslims, and within an hour, Mandore was once again in their hands. However, the victors realized that defending the city would be an entirely different problem. Someone suggested arranging a marital alliance with the young Chunda, and thus, the Rathore clan regained control of Mandore, the capital of Marwar.
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The Establishment of Jodhpur
As the unchallenged rulers of Mandore, Sheoji's descendants were firmly established as the most powerful Rathore clan in the region. It was left to Chunda's grandson, Rao Jodha, to secure a place for the Rathores in the annals of India by building one of the country's most spectacular forts and founding one of her most charming cities Jodhpur.

In the 15th century, Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur, which became a shining example of Rathore power and architectural excellence. As the unchallenged rulers of Mandore, Sheoji's descendants were firmly established as the most powerful Rathore clan in the region. It was left to Chunda's grandson, Rao Jodha, to secure a place for the Rathores in the annals of India by building one of the country's most spectacular forts and founding one of her most charming cities Jodhpur.

In the 15th century, Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur, which became a shining example of Rathore power and architectural excellence.