Rao Jodhaji, Chief of the Rajput clan of Rathores founded the city in 1459.The city stands at the edge of the Thar Desert and is the second largest city in Rajasthan, after Jaipur. It forms part of the popular Rajasthani tourist triangle consisting of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Jaisalmer. The most prominent feature of the town is the Mehrangarh Fort. It rests on the rocky hill rising 120 meters right in the centre of the town. The fort provides a magnificent view of the distance. Incidentally, the riding trousers called 'jodhpurs' derive their name from this city as Maharaja Pratap Singh got tired of the way his traditional Rajput riding pyjamas would get frayed on the inside of his knees. This Maharaja also came up with the designs for ankle - length Jodhpur boots and the close-collared princely Jodhpuri coat. 
A wall 10 miles in length circumscribes the old city of Jodhpur. The wall came up about a century after the old city was built. The new city has risen around the old. The old city is enchanting and one can spend many enchanting hours walking around the ancient streets. 

Mehrangarh Fort:
Situated on a steep hill 120 meters above the city, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and the largest in Rajasthan. A ten storey high wall surrounds it. The gates around the fort bear witness to some its military history. The main gate has cannonball marks from one of numerous the battles fought here. Another gate, the Jayapol, was built in 1806 by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate a victory over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner. Fatehpol (victory gate) was built to celebrate a victory over Mughal armies. Lohapol (iron gate) is a stark reminder of the sad history of the place. Besides the gate are 15 handprints of the widows of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843 in conformity with the ancient tradition of Sati. 

Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with marvellously carved panels and latticed windows. These palaces house a fabulous collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature painting, musical instruments, costumes and armoury including a sword used by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. 

At one end of the Fort stands the Chamunda Devi temple. 

Umaid Bhawan Palace and Museum:
This is one of the grandest palaces one can see. Maharaja Umaid Singh completed Umaid Bhawan Palace in 1944 having taken 15 years to build it. It has now been converted into a hotel. With nearly 350 rooms it was once one of the largest private residences in the world. The palace is built in marble and pink sandstone. It is stated that the Maharaja went ahead with the building to provide employment to the local people during a period of famine. However, this grand palace is a reflection of the extravagant life style of the Maharajas. 

A part of the palace houses a museum where one can see some of the royal family's possessions that include many weapons, antique clocks and decorative items. 

Jaswant Thada - Just off the fort road is the 19th century royal cenotaph built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Three cenotaphs also came up later. There are many portraits of past rulers of Jodhpur on display. The latticework in the complex is exquisite. 

Sadar bazar - the colourful market in the old city still throbs with the excitement of culture of the traditional bazaar. Small shops in the narrow lanes of the old city sell almost everything including local ware such as textiles, carpets, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery. 

Ossian: 65 Kms from Jodhpur, lies the ruins of the ancient city of Ossian which was once an important religious centre. It is known for its Brahmanical and Jain temples and gives a glimpse of how Indian temple architecture evolved between the 8th and 11th centuries. In particular, the Surya (Sun) and Sachiya Mata temples are renowned for their beauty. There is a camp offering tented accommodation that has a wonderful view overlooking the town. 

Bishnoi villages: To get a glimpse of Indian village life, many tourists take a trip of 25 kms to these villages which are inhabited by the Bishnoi tribe. This tribe has been traditionally environment conscious and believes in the sanctity of plant and animal life. You may spot herds of deer grazing in the village farms and some migratory birds during season. There are live demonstrations of carpet weaving and the art of clay pottery. Local fare can be sampled by having a meal in the village. 

Mandore: 9 kms from Jodhpur is this ancient capital of Marwar with its gardens and rock terraces. Places to visit include the shrine of 330 million Gods, the hall of Heroes where sixteen huge figures are carved out of a single rock, and the royal cenotaphs. 

Balsamand lake & palace: This picturesque artificial lake is 6 kms from the main city. The summer palaces along the embankment and a bird sanctuary have made it a picnic spot. A visit here can be combined with a visit to Sardar Samand Lake and made into a day excursion. 

Sardar Samand lake and palace: The 65-km drive is very picturesque as you see Rajasthani village life in all its vibrant colours. With luck you will spot Chinkaras and black bucks along the road. 

Dhawa (45 km): A wildlife sanctuary with the largest number of Indian antelopes. 

Nagaur (135 km): An imposing fort with beautiful murals. It is also the venue for a weeklong cattle fair held in Jan/Feb every year. 

Air: The airport has flights connecting it to Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi and Mumbai. 

Rail: The city is connected by fast trains to Delhi and Ahmedabad. Slower trains are available to other places in the state. The 'Palace on Wheels' includes Jodhpur in its itinerary. 

Road: The state transport service runs buses to other cities in the state e.g. to Ajmer - 205 kms, Bikaner - 256 kms, Jaisalmer - 285 kms and Udaipur - 318 kms