Rawal Jaisal

Rawal Jaisal lived during the 12th century and founded the city of Jaisalmer and Jaisalmer state. Sixth in descent from Rawal Deoraj Bhati, he was the eldest son of Rawal Dusaj of Deoraj (Deorawul), which had its capital at Laudrava. When his father appointed Jaisal's younger half-brother Vijayraj Lanjha as his successor, Vijayraj, upon ascending the throne, drove Jaisal out of the kingdom. Forming an alliance with Shihabuddin, a Muslim invader from Ghor province in Afghanistan, Jaisal created an army. Vijayraj Lanjha died on the battlefield in the resulting war. Jaisal and his ally captured Lodurva. As he had previously agreed with Shihabuddin to allow the city to be sacked for three days, he inherited a ruined capital. Its ruins can be seen near the village of Laudrva, about 15 km to the south-east of Jaisalmer. Following the capture of the capital the other Bhati rajputs accepted Jaisal as their new ruler.