Why is Jodhpur called Blue City?

Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan, is famously known as the “Blue City” due to the distinctive blue color of the houses in the old part of the city. The blue color is prominent throughout the narrow lanes of the old city, giving it a mesmerizing blue hue and thus the nickname Blue City.

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History of Jodhpur

Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. He established the city as the new capital of the kingdom of Marwar, which was previously known as Mandore. The city was built to strengthen the Rathore kingdom and counter any invasion threats. Rao Jodha chose the rocky ridge as the site for his new capital as it was strategically located and had natural defenses.

Initially, the city was called Jodhpur after its founder Rao Jodha. The old city was encircled by a 10 km long wall with several gates for entry. The city flourished under Rao Jodha’s successors and became an important political and trade center. It emerged as the second most important city of Rajasthan after Jaipur in the 18th century.

Origin of the Blue Houses

The origin of the distinctive blue coloring of the houses in Jodhpur dates back to the mid 15th century. When Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur, he ensured that the Brahmins (highest Hindu caste) were invited first to settle in the new capital. Brahmins had a tradition of painting their houses blue to signify their domicile and set them apart from rest of the population. Using blue pigment was considered auspicious and it also had a cooling effect to beat the desert heat.

Initially, only the houses of Brahmins were painted blue in Jodhpur using lime-based color. Slowly as the city grew, the non-Brahmin population also started coloring their houses blue to copy the Brahmins and be part of the new tradition. Blue was also considered a royal color that signified power and affluence. Over the centuries, the vivid blue color came to define the homes in Jodhpur’s old city.

Why Blue Pigment Was Used

The main reason blue pigment was used for coloring the houses in Jodhpur was because it was the cheapest and most accessible color.

Some key reasons for choosing blue pigment:

Limestone which was readily available locally could be used to derive blue pigment

Indigo plants were cultivated in Jodhpur which provided the indigo dye required for the blue pigment
Comparatively, blue pigment was cheaper than red or yellow
The bright blue helped to repel the heat and kept interiors cool

White lime wash was mixed with blue to achieve the distinctive blue shade
It was considered auspicious and became part of tradition

Thus, blue pigment became the color of choice for painting houses in Jodhpur due to easy availability, lower cost, auspicious associations and cooling properties.

How Blue Pigment is Prepared

The vivid blue color seen on Jodhpur’s houses is produced by using lime-based paint. This lime wash paint is prepared by mixing slaked lime with blue pigment derived from indigo.

Here are the steps to prepare the traditional blue pigment:

Take limestone and burn it in a kiln to produce quicklime

Slake the quicklime by adding water to produce calcium hydroxide
Crush the indigo plants and extract the indigo dye from it
Mix the indigo dye with chalk and yellow ochre to derive the blue pigment

Add gum arabic as a binding agent to the blue pigment
Mix the blue pigment with slaked lime whitewash
Dilute the paint with water and stir thoroughly

This thick, glossy lime wash paint is then applied on the house walls with brushes. The lime makes the paint water resistant while the indigo dye provides the signature blue tint. Multiple coats are applied to achieve the intense blue shade seen commonly across Jodhpur.

Significance of the Blue Color

Over the centuries, the color blue has become an integral part of Jodhpur’s identity and culture. Here are some of the major significance and consequences of the blue color:

The blue color gives the old city area a unique character that stands out from other cities

It adds to the charm and attracts a huge number of tourists every year who come to see the blue houses
The color blue has become symbolic of Jodhpur’s history and cultural heritage
Painting houses blue annually before the rainy season has evolved as a tradition, especially among Brahmins

The blue houses have become an iconic landscape that is instantly recognizable as the Jodhpur skyline
Provides a vivid color contrast against the arid, desert landscape surrounding Jodhpur
Keeps the interiors of houses cool and comfortable in the hot desert climate

Overall, the blue color has become deeply intertwined with Jodhpur’s identity and provides the city with a beautiful, unique character.

Present Day Scenario

Today, not all houses in Jodhpur’s old city area are painted blue. With development and modernization, many homeowners have shifted to more modern paint colors and materials. However, the striking vision of blue houses still dominates most streets in the old city core near the clock tower.

Here are some points about the present scenario regarding the blue houses:

Houses belonging to Brahmins are still painted blue traditionally using lime-based pigments
Many non-Brahmin houses also maintain the blue color to uphold tradition, be part of old city aesthetic and attract tourists
Some houses have started using darker indigo blue artificial paints instead of traditional methods

Lime-based paint still remains the most feasible and economical option for homeowners
Many heritage hotels in old city area paint their entire facade blue to enhance the Jodhpur experience for tourists
The local government recommends homeowners maintain the blue color scheme to preserve heritage

Some green, yellow, pink houses can be spotted too, but blue remains the dominant color

Though the number of blue houses has dropped from earlier times, Jodhpur still proudly retains its blue character and remains a one-of-a-kind blue city attracting visitors from around the world.

Unique Aspects of Jodhpur’s Blue Houses

The blue houses of Jodhpur have some unique aspects that make them a fascinating feature:

The blue color is pervasive across homes, havelis, forts and temples in the old city landscape
From a height, the tightly packed blue houses with narrow lanes appear like a large blue carpet spread on the land
The striking contrast between the bright blue homes and the barren, desert environment catches the eye

Intricate arts, patterns, carvings seen on doors and windows of many heritage blue houses
The shade of blue varies across buildings, from light to deep indigo blue
Gives a cool, cheerful vibe to the old city in comparison to the surrounding desert austerity

The way in which the blue tradition has endured for over 500 years is truly unique

The eye-catching scenery of myriad vivid blue houses clustered together is a sight that is not witnessed anywhere else in the world. This is what lend the Blue City epithet truly deserving for Jodhpur.

Global Recognition

Jodhpur’s blue houses have earned global recognition and acclaim over the years. Some of the notable recognition includes:

Featured in several Bollywood blockbusters which exposed Indian cinema viewers to the blue houses
Included in National Geographic’s list of ’10 most colorful cities around world’ in 2015
Named as one of the ’36 must-go destinations’ by The New York Times in 2018

Received UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for cultural heritage conservation in 2009
Has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rajasthan and India
Photographs of Jodhpur’s blue houses frequently go viral on social media platforms

The global fascination with Jodhpur’s blue city allure has steadily increased over the years. It is on the must-visit wishlist for travelers looking for unique experiences in Incredible India.

Impact on Jodhpur’s Economy

The rising popularity of Jodhpur’s blue city landscape has resulted in significant impact on the city’s economy. Some of the major economic impacts are:

Boost in tourism industry as hordes of travelers visit to experience the blue city

Increased business for hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops in the old city area
Rise in real estate demand and property rates for houses in blue city region
Promotes cultural economy by sustaining traditional art forms and occupations

Employment generation related to tourism and hospitality sectors
Higher demand for handicrafts, textiles and other local products
Improved infrastructure development and civic facilities due to tourism revenues

The aesthetic appeal of the blue houses has proven to be an economic asset for boosting tourism prospects and livelihood opportunities in Jodhpur.

Challenges for Sustaining Blue Houses

Maintaining the heritage and charm of Jodhpur’s blue houses poses some key challenges:

Fading interest among younger generations in continuing the traditional painting practices

Migration of original communities from the old city areas
Modernization leading more homeowners to prefer different colors
Environmental factors causing deterioration of lime-based paint

Rising cost of traditional raw materials for blue pigment
Encroachment and redevelopment destroying old architecture
Overcrowding and congestion affect the visual appeal

Conscious efforts are required to promote the traditional painting methods, provide training to younger generations and supply raw materials at subsidized rates. Community participation along with public and private initiatives can help preserve the heritage value of this unique urban landscape.

Future Prospects

Some of the future possibilities related to Jodhpur’s blue city character are:

Innovation and experiments with the style of blue painting by local artists

Development of a designated “Blue City Quarter” for tourists similar to the Walled City in Jaipur
Introducing a Blue City festival to celebrate Jodhpur’s blue heritage
Tie-ups with paint companies to produce customized traditional blue paints

Sale of miniature blue houses as souvenirs for tourists
Enhanced global branding as a famous landmark of India

The outlook remains optimistic that Jodhpur can retain and evolve its iconic blue identity by leveraging tourism potential while also maintaining heritage value.

Conclusion

The mesmerizing view of Jodhpur draped in vivid blue is a result of centuries old traditions paired with modern aspirations. The continued efforts of local communities to uphold this living heritage treasure of India have ensured that the majestic blue houses retain their charm even in contemporary times. Jodhpur rightfully earns its tag of the spectacular Blue City through the colorful legacy of its magnificent blue homes. The singular, unforgettable landscape of the blue houses aptly reflects the creative spirit and cultural richness of this vibrant desert city.