Last updated: October 2026 · Method: built from published site information and recurring traveller reports; figures approximate — verify on site.
Jaisalmer’s wealth was not mined or farmed — it was earned from the caravan trade that crossed the Thar on the routes the Osian history traces. The city sat on the southern branch of the Silk Road, connecting India’s interior to Persia, Arabia and Egypt.
What was traded
- Silk, spices, opium, indigo and salt moved west; horses, silver and luxury goods moved east.
- The merchants (Jain, Bhatia, Muslim) who financed the caravans built the havelis whose facades are the city’s museum.
- The trade died in the 19th century when Bombay’s port and the railways replaced the camel routes ; the city’s isolation preserved its architecture.
Before you go
Jaisalmer runs on a seasonal clock: the cooler months carry the crowds and the fuller calendars, while the hot afternoons reward early starts and long lunches. Build this stop around one unhurried hour rather than a quick photo, and let the season decide the hour of day.
Practical notes
- Timing: daylight hours suit most visits; confirm the day’s opening window locally, since published hours drift with the season.
- Costs: any entry sits in the nominal range for the city — small notes at the counter settle it (published fee lists here on the site carry current ranges).
- Getting there: an auto or app cab covers the hop from the centre in minutes; walking works in the cooler months.
Keep in mind: specifics shift faster than guides update — treat this page as the frame and recent reviews as the fine print.