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. |
