Jodhpur in AD 1459 by Rao Jodha

Madugundu Krishna August 14, 2012

Mandore, the ancient capital of Marwar, is an important archaeological site dating back to the AD 4 th century. It had remained the seat of the Pariharas for some centuries before Rao Choonda acquired it through marriage just towards the close of the 14 th century. It is believed to have been associated with the great sage Mandu and was known as Mandvyapur in early historic times. Occupied successively by the Maurya, Kushan, Gupta, Hoon, Gurjar, Chawda and Parihara dynasties, it has thrown up some very interesting archaeological finds, including the twin columns in Redstone on which scenes from the krishnalila have been carved. With the shifting of the Rathore capital to Jodhpur in AD 1459 by Rao Jodha, Mandore came to be used for performance of the last rites of the rulers and the construction of monuments or devals to their memory.

North- west of Jodhpur, connected by rail and in the middle of sand –dunes, is Osian. The old Brahmanical and Jain temples have clearly demonstrated that this place was once an important trade center and remained so for centuries. In the temple of Mahavir, there is an inscription of Vastsraj belonging to the Gurjar Parihar dynasty which shows that the temple was constructed during AD 700- 800. The toran of the temple is richly carved, leading to an open porch, a closed hall and the sanctum, all intact hall and the sanctum, all intact, dating from different periods. The main temple is on a vast terrace surrounded by subsidiary shrines and structures.