Jalore is a rich region boasting of ancient monuments, cultural heritage and interesting traditions. Udayasimha was thegreatest of the Chauhan rulers of Jalore. He successfully resisted the Muslim invasions of Mohammad Ghori.

Udayasimha's court was a great intellectual centre and during his reign, Jalore reached the zenith of its glory. There is a famous couplet about Jalore, since it successfully withstood constant onslaughts for a long time and was regarded as one of the most impregnable forts of the country. "Let the sky be torn, the earth turned upside down, let the iron armour be cut to pieces, body fighting alone, but Jalore would not surrender."


The illustrious ruler Kanha-dadeva represented Rajput chivalry at its best, when he died fighting to protect Jalore. The district became a part of Jodhpur state after 1707 A.D.

Jalore is also a place of pilgrimage for Jains and the famous Jain temples of Adinath, Mahavira, Parsvanath and Santinath are located here. The oldest temple is that of Adinath, which existed as far back as in the 8th century. The mandapa was subsequently built in 1182 A.D. by Yasovira, a Srimali vaishya.

The temple of Parsvanath was built by the ruler of Jalore and then rebuilt in 1785 A.D. This temple has a spectacular toran or an archway and a golden "cupola' in the hall meant for theatre performances.

The temple of Mahavira was also known as Chandanavihara Nahadarao, named after a Pratihara ruler and a hero of Jain tradition who built it in the 14th century.

The temples of Santinatha and the Ashtapads are believed to have existed in the 13th century.

Jalore Fort, one of the most famous forts in Rajasthan, stands on a perpendicular hill. The fort is reached after traversing about 5 kms. of a steep road, passing through three distinct lines of defence. The cut-stone walls of the fort are still intact at some places. Within the fort are drinking water tanks. Also to be seen here are four Vaishnava temples and five Jain temples. Near the main gate there is a mosque and the tomb of Malik Shah, a noted Mohammedan saint.