Lodhruva

Before coming under Bhatti control, Lodhorva was ruled by the Lodhi Rajputs(also referred to as Lodra Rajputs), a prominent Chandravanshi Rajput clan in the region. Lodhorva during their rule was described as "an immense city with twelve gates," highlighting its political and military importance. The Lodha Rajputs played a crucial role in establishing Lodhorva as a fortified city and cultural center prior to its annexation by the Bhattis. == Conquest by Deoraj Bhatti ==

The fall of the Lodha Rajputs came with the strategic conquest by Deoraj Bhatti, a powerful Bhatti Rajput chief. According to Colonel James Tod in *Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan*, Deoraj was approached by a discontented Purohit (priest) who had taken sanctuary with him after being wronged by the Lodha ruler. The Purohit advised Deoraj to take Lodhorva for himself. To do this, Deoraj proposed marriage to the daughter of Nripbhan, the Lodha Rajput chief. Arriving at Lodhorva with a force of 1,200 chosen horsemen disguised as a wedding procession, Deoraj was allowed entry into the city. Once inside, the Bhatti warriors launched a surprise attack and seized Lodhorva. Deoraj married the Lodha chief's daughter, established a garrison, and returned to his own capital at Derawar, marking the end of Lodha Rajput rule in Lodhorva. This event not only marked the political demise of the Lodha Rajputs in Lodhorva but also represented the beginning of Bhatti dominance in the region, eventually leading to the founding of Jaisalmer. . == Decline and Abandonment ==

Over the centuries, repeated invasions and the harsh desert environment led to the decline of Lodhorva. The city was eventually abandoned when Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti descendant of Deoraj, considered it too exposed to external threats. After conspiring with the Sultan of Ghor to attack his nephew Bhojdeo, who then ruled Lodhorva, Jaisal founded the fortified city of Jaisalmer further into the desert, which became the new seat of power. == Legacy of the Lodha Rajputs ==

Although their rule over Lodhorva ended, the Lodha Rajputs remain historically significant as one of the early ruling clans in the desert frontier of Rajasthan. Their fall became a defining moment in the rise of the Bhatti Rajput power and the founding of one of the region's most iconic cities—Jaisalmer. The village and the surrounding area are famous for their historic temples, mostly Jain, originally constructed in the pre-12th-century Maru-Gurjara style of the Chalukya Empire and reconstructed in a similar but more ornate revivalist style in the 17th century. ==History==

Rawal Deoraj of the Bhati clan established Lodhruva as the capital in the 8th century CE. The city stood on an ancient trade route through the Thar Desert, which also made it vulnerable to frequent attacks. Mahmud of Ghazni laid siege on the city in 1025 CE. It was again ransacked by Muhammad Ghori in 1152 CE, leading to its abandonment and the establishment of the new fortified capital of Jaisalmer by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 CE. Jaisalmer was situated 16 km away on the Trikuta Hill, where the present fortress stands today. Lodrawa was also the setting for the doomed love story of Princess Mumal and Mahendra, a prince of Amarkot, recounted in local folklore and songs. ==Visitor's attractions==

Lodrawa is a popular tourist destination, known for its architectural ruins and surrounding sand dunes. Lodrawa is also famous for the Jain temple dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha. The original temple was destroyed in 1178 AD when Muhammad Ghori attacked the city, but it was reconstructed by Seth Tharu Shah in 1615, with further additions in 1675 and 1687. Restored using state-of-the-art methods in the late 1970s, the temples are reminders of the city's former glory. Other old temples in the area are dedicated to the deities Rishabhanatha, Sambhavanatha, Hinglaj Mata, Chamunda, and Shiva. ==Further reading==