Jodhpur, is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, also known as Marwar. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many beautiful palaces(esp. Umaid Bhawan Palace), forts and temples, apart from a stark, scenic desert landscape. The city is known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year.
It is also referred as the Blue City, due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The blue houses were originally for Brahmins but non-Brahmins soon joined in, as the colour was said to deflect the heat and keep mosquitoes away. Jodhpur lies near the geographic center of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists. The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a thick stone wall.
Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodhaji, chief of the Rathore Rajputs who ruled over Marwar, "land of death," Jodhpur was to become one of Rajputana's wealthiest cities, capitalizing on its central position on the Delhi-Gujarat trade route and protected by one of the most impenetrable forts in history.
Today it is the state's second-largest city, much of it a sprawling, polluted metropolis, but within the old walls -- where every building is painted the same light blue hue, earning Jodhpur the nickname "blue city" -- you'll find a teeming maze of narrow medieval streets and bazaars, where life appears much as it has for centuries. Towering above is Mehrangarh (Majestic) Fort, its impenetrable walls rising like sheer cliffs from the rocky outcrop on which it is built.
From its crenelated ramparts you enjoy postcard views of the ancient blue city below and, in the distance, the grand silhouette of Umaid Bhawan Palace, residence of the current Maharaja and heritage hotel. Within the fort is a typical Rajput palace that today houses one of the state's best-presented museums, artfully displaying the accumulated accouterments of the royal house of Rathore in the beautifully preserved royal apartments.
Extreme of heat in summer and cold in winter is the characteristic of the desert. Jodhpur is no exception. The temperature varies from 49 degree in summer to1 degree in winter. The Sandstorm (andhi) spectacle for people from other region of India. The rainy days are limited to maximum 15 in a year. The average rainfall is 302 mm.
Soil of the district is classified mainly as sandy and loamy. Bajra ( pearl millet) is the major crop in Kharif. Jodhpur has excellent ground water taste in many part of district. In Rabi Wheat, Pulse and a variety of masala like Jeera, Dhania and Red chilly are also grown. Jodhpur has a name for its red chilly, onion and garlic. It is one of the major production centre for Guar.
There is no perennial river in the district. However, there are important rivers in the district viz. Luni and Mithri rivers but their basis saline water. Main sources of irrigation besides rainwater are dug-wells tube-wells. The heighest-irrigated area in district is in Bilara Tehsil followed by Bhoplgarh and Osian tehsil.