Khuldra- A Stop Over

Distance : 17km from Jaisalmer

¤ A Residing Place for Traders
Khuldra was once upon a time inhabited mainly by Paliwal Brahmins. It was a resting place for traders and the camel caravan people. The Paliwals were basically descendents of the priestly sect of the Pali tribe who gave up their spiritual calling and took to commercial and agricultural pursuits. They had migrated from Pali district to Jaisalmer way back in the 13th century. Here they built no less than 84 villages, and Khuldra was one of the main centres from where they plied their trade and tilled the land.


¤ Migration of the Paliwals


However, as in Pali, they faced discrimination here too. This time it came from Salim Singh, the notorious Prime Minister during Mool Raj II’s reign who levied heavy taxes on them. It is also said that the area was particularly prone to dacoity, and the Paliwals being a prosperous community were quite vulnerable to them. Several other reasons are given for the emigration of the Paliwals again, such as official apathy from the Maharawal, Salim Singh molesting their women and the development of the railways which made the camel caravans obsolete.


¤ The Architecture Splendor of Paliwal Village

Whatever may have been the reason for their departure, Khuldra today resembles a ghost town. But while the streets and houses may be deserted, the magnificence of the architecture of the buildings is still very much on display. You can see the remnants of the Paliwal villages, with their beautiful archways, chhatris and wells. There is also a perimeter wall built around the village, probably to shield the inhabitants from the fierce desert winds.