Jaisalmer fort has its own identity in the form of construction, defense walls and bastions. Although the foundation stone was laid on 12^th July 1155AD and took about seven years to build the fort. Jaisalmer fort has been constructed mainly in four times and several additions were made. The fort has 99 bastions each about 30 ft. in height. There are also certain gates namely Akhai prole, Suraj prole, Ganesh prole, Hawa prole etc. The front portion of Suraj prole is embellished with a a torana-vallari with an imposing sun-roundel in the exact centre. It has rightly been called Suraj-prole and greets the first-rays of the rising sun.

The fort of Jaisalmer looks like a scuffy old lion in wait for its prey, or again as though it were a prop left over from one of the earlier versions of Bean Geste. Snake line meandering wall is build without any mortar chuna or clay. The upper most lining consists of kanguras and gun holes, and burj (bastons) are well decorated with baris (peepholes) and jharokhas (balconies) damdama (Platform) on the bastions were used to mount the wheeled-guns and ammunition were stored in underground rooms. Very heavy stone balls and cylinders were used as rolling missiles on the enemy down below at close battle range.

FORT: The fort is situated in the precincts of the walled town build in 12^th century. It has ninety nine yellow stone bastions. Bathed by rays of the setting sun, they have a golden translucence. From the ramparts the vista of the town is a blaze of molten gold. The fort is built on tricuta (triangle) hill and stands 250 feet above the surrounding country. Solid blocks of stone have been used for a buttress wall 15 feet high round the hill. The hill itself is 500 ft. long and the fort a top is 500 ft. long and 250 ft. at the widest point. The battlements are a complete chain of defense rising 10 meters (30 ft.) above the tricuta hill. The second oldest fort in Rajasthan, looks like built on mud and sand, has many ramparts, the high turrets and half towers, the tricuta fort at Jaisalmer, has three walls for the purpose of defense.

The majestic monument is entered through Akhai Prole and reach to an open space available for taking photographs of the royal palaces. The serpent like road that leads to Suraj Prole which has beautiful arched gateway and a huge gate made of local wood. The ladies of the town put vermilion and the gate has spikes to protect the gate from ramming of elephants. The other gates are Bhuta Prole and Hawa Prole.

After the Hawa Prole (The gateway of wind) there are precincts of the palace courtyard. The Hawa Prole has very beautiful carving and the style of balconies and windows are really magnificent. Within the fort, the royal palace sprawls in haphazard manner, as there were additions to the structures during different eras. The imposing wings of the building are:-

SARVOTAM VILAS, built by Maharawal Manohar Dass (AD 1634), Abhay Vilas, built by Maharawal Abhay Singh (AD 1714-63). Gaj Vilas built by Maharawal Gaj Singh (AD 1820-46).

THE RANG MAHAL & MOTI MAHAL: built by Maharawal Moolraj-II (1763-1820) are embellished with paintings, murals and mirror studded panels, immaculately chiseled shikharas, toranas, pillars, columns and innumerable sculptures fill the palace complex. Though unique to this region, modes of building derive from the temple architecture.

The historic spot, Satiyon-ka-pagothia is before the entrance to the palace. The Jauhar, the most celebrated and terrifying of all Rajput customs was performed two and half time here. First of all at the time of Rawal Mool Raj in 1315 AD; who fought against the forces of Alauddin Khilji, secondly when Tuglak attacked Jaisalmer in 1325 AD when Dhudha Rawal was the ruler of Jaisalmer. The last which is known as half Jauhar, during the period of Maharawal Loon Karan who was attacked by Amir Ali, an Afghan, and played a trick by sending his soldiers in place of his begums into the fort. When the battle started, the generals and army were not inside the fort. Hence Maharawal had no choice than to kill his wives and start fighting. He killed his women by his own sword and started fighting.

Inside the fort we have some important and beautiful temples one of them Laxminathji temple built in 1428 AD. Embossed doors and panels beautify the sanctum of the temple. Both the lacquered dome of the vestibule and the resplendent while marble deity bedecked with jewels. The other temples are Surya temple Kushal Raj Rajeshwari temple, Tikamji temple etc.