Jodhpur
Second-largest city of Rajasthan, historic capital of Marwar.
Jodhpur is the second-largest city of the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, after its capital Jaipur. The city is a famous tourist spot with a palace, fort, and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert, and is known as the 'Blue City' due to the dominant color scheme of its buildings in the old town.
- Founder
- Rao Jodha
- Population (2025)
- 1.6 million
- State
- Rajasthan
- Known for
- Blue City, Mehrangarh Fort, historic capital of Marwar
- Climate
- Hot desert climate (Köppen BWh)
Lore & Background
The city was located on the strategic road linking Delhi to Gujarat, enabling it to profit from trade in opium, copper, silk, sandalwood, and dates. Its merchants, the Marwaris, flourished and dominated trade across India.
Reader's Guide
Jodhpur's significance lies in its long history as the capital of the Kingdom of Marwar and its role as a major administrative and tourist center in Rajasthan. Its strategic location on the Delhi-Gujarat route fostered a thriving trade economy, while its merchants, the Marwaris, became influential across India. Today, Jodhpur is a major tourist destination, known for its Mehrangarh Fort, palaces, temples, and distinctive blue-painted buildings in the old town. The city also contributes significantly to Rajasthan's economy through industries and handicrafts, and it serves as a convenient base for travel in the Thar Desert region.
Did You Know?
- Jodhpur is known as the 'Blue City' due to the dominant color scheme of its buildings in the old town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jodhpur?
Jodhpur is the second-largest city in Rajasthan, India, founded by Rao Jodha and long serving as the historic capital of the Marwar region. As of 2025, roughly 1.6 million people call it home.
What is Jodhpur's signature trait?
Jodhpur is universally nicknamed the 'Blue City' because the buildings throughout its old town are painted in shades of blue, giving the entire district a striking uniform color palette.
What role does Jodhpur play in the Rajasthan story?
It holds the position of Rajasthan's second-most populous city, sitting just behind the state capital Jaipur, and it anchors the north-western part of the state as a major tourist and cultural hub.
What are Jodhpur's most iconic landmarks?
The city is best known for the towering Mehrangarh Fort, a royal palace, and a cluster of temples that together define its skyline against the surrounding Thar Desert landscape.
What is Jodhpur's setting and climate?
Jodhpur sits in the stark, arid expanse of the Thar Desert and experiences a hot desert climate (classified as Köppen BWh), with scorching summers and dry, mild winters.
More in Cities Starting With J 1-18
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record