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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kuldhara
| other_name = Kuldhar
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline = Kuldhara.JPG
| image_caption = Ruins of Kuldhara houses
| pushpin_map = India Rajasthan#India
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Kuldhara in [[Rajasthan]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|26.81|70.80|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = [[Rajasthan]]
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = [[Jaisalmer district|Jaisalmer]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| elevation_m = 266
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
}}
'''Kuldhara''' is an abandoned village in the [[Jaisalmer district]] of [[Rajasthan]], India. Established around the 13th century, it was once a prosperous village inhabited by [[Paliwal]] [[Brahmin]]s. It was abandoned by the early 19th century for unknown reasons, possibly because of dwindling water supply, an earthquake, or as a local legend claims, because of the atrocities by the [[Jaisalmer State]]'s minister Salim Singh.

Over years, Kuldhara acquired reputation as a [[List of reportedly haunted locations|haunted site]], and the [[Government of Rajasthan]] decided to develop it as a tourist spot in the 2010s.

== Geography ==

The former village site is located about 18 km south-west of the [[Jaisalmer]] city. The village was located on an 861 m x 261 m rectangular site aligned in the north-south direction. The township was centred around a temple of the [[mother goddess]]. It had three longitudinal roads, which were cut through by a number of latitudinal narrow lanes.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=312}}

The remains of a city wall can be seen on the north and the south sides of the site. The eastern side of the town faces the dry-river bed of the small Kakni river. The western side was protected by the back-walls of man-made structures.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=312}}

== Establishment ==

The Kuldhara village was originally settled by [[Brahmins]] who had migrated from [[Pali, Rajasthan|Pali]] to Jaisalmer region.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=313}} These migrants originating from Pali were called [[Paliwal]]s. ''Tawarikh-i-Jaisalmer'', an 1899 history book written by Lakshmi Chand, states that a Paliwal Brahmin named Kadhan was the first person to settle in the Kuldhara village. He excavated a pond called Udhansar in the village.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=312}}

The ruins of the village include 3 cremation grounds, with several ''devali''s (memorial stones or [[cenotaph]]s).{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=315}} The village was settled by the early 13th century, as indicated by two ''devali'' inscriptions. These inscriptions are dated in the Bhattik Samvat (a [[calendar era]] starting in 623 CE), and record the deaths of two residents in 1235 CE and 1238 CE respectively.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|pp=313-314}}

== Demographics ==
[[File:KuldharaKartWheelPrd.jpg|thumb|A cartwheel]]

=== Population ===

Ruins of 410 buildings can be seen in the former village.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=312}} Another 200 buildings were located in the lower township on the outskirts of the village.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=320}}

Lakshmi Chand's ''Tawarikh-i-Jaisalmer'' (1899) provides statistics about Paliwal population and households of several villages. Using the figure of 3.97 persons per household based on these statistics, and considering the number of ruined houses as 400, S. A. N. Rezavi estimated the 17th-18th century population of Kuldhara as 1,588. The British officer [[James Tod]] recorded the 1815 population of Kuldhara as 800 (in 200 households), based on information from "the best informed natives". By this time, the Paliwals had already started deserting the village. By 1890, the population of the village had declined to 37 people; the number of houses was recorded as 117.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=321}}

=== Social Groups ===

There are several other ''devali'' inscriptions at the site. These inscriptions do not mention the term "Paliwal"; they only describe the inhabitants as Brahmin ("Vrahman" or "Vaman"). Several inscriptions mention the caste of the residents as "Kuldhar" or "Kaldhar". It appears that Kuldhara was a caste group among Paliwal Brahmins, and the village was named after this caste.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=314}}

Some inscriptions also mention the ''[[jāti|jati]]'' (sub-caste) and ''[[gotra]]'' (clan) of the residents. The various ''jati''s mentioned in the inscriptions include Harjal, Harjalu, Harjaluni, Mudgal, Jisutiya, Loharthi, Lahthi, Lakhar, Saharan, Jag, Kalsar, and Mahajalar. The ''gotra''s mentioned include Asamar, Sutdhana, Gargvi and Gago. One inscription also mentions the ''kula'' (family lineage) of a Brahmin as Gonali. Apart from the Paliwal Brahmins, the inscriptions also mention two ''[[sutradhar]]s (architects) named Dhanmag and Sujo Gopalna. The inscriptions indicate that the Brahmin residents married within the Brahmin community, although the ''jati''s or sub-castes were exogamous.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=314}}

== Culture ==
[[File:KuldharaInscriptionPrd.jpg|thumb|Inscription on a pillar inside the temple of Kuldhara]]

=== Religion ===

The residents of the village were [[Vaishnavite]]s. The main temple of the village had sculptures of [[Vishnu]] and [[Mahishasuramardini|Mahishasura Mardini]]. Most of the inscriptions start with an invocation to [[Ganesha]], whose miniature sculptures also appear on the gateways. The villagers also worshiped [[Nandi (bull)|bull]] and a local horse-riding deity.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=319}}

=== Fashion ===

If the idols on the ''devali''s are considered as representatives of the contemporary fashion, it appears that the men of Kuldhara wore [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]]-style turbans and [[jama (coat)|jamas]] (tunic-like garment) with [[Cummerbund|kamarband]] (a type of waist belt). They generally sported a beard, wore a necklace and carried a [[khanjar]] (dagger). The women wore tunics or [[lehenga]]s, and some of them wore necklaces.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=319}}

== Economy ==

The villagers were mostly agricultural traders, bankers and farmers. They used ornamented pottery made of fine clay.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=320}}

For agricultural purposes, the villagers used the water from the Kakni river and several wells. They also tapped the water using ''khareen'', an artificial depression dammed on three sides. When the water in the ''khareen'' evaporated, it left soil conducive for growing [[jowar]], [[wheat]] and [[chickpea|gram]]. A 2.5 km<sup>2</sup>. ''khareen'' was situated to the south of Kuldhara.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=322}}

The Kakni river branches into two streams near Kuldhara. The first branch is called "Masurdi nadi"; the second branch is now a drain. The Kakni river is a seasonal river. When it went dry, the villagers tapped groundwater using [[water well|wells]] and a [[stepwell|step-wells]]. A pillar inscription states that Tejpal, a Kuldhara Brahmin, commissioned the step-well in 1815 [[Vikram Samvat|VS]] (1757 CE).{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|pp=321-322}}

== Decline ==
[[File:Kuldhara Village.jpg|thumb|right|Ruins of Kuldhara]]
By the 19th century, the village had been deserted for unknown reasons. Possible causes proposed in the 20th century include lack of water and the atrocities of a [[Diwan (title)|Diwan]] (official) named Salim Singh (or Zalim Singh).{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=323-324}}

By 1815, most of the wells in the village had dried up.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=324}} By 1850, only the step-well and two other deep wells were functional.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=322}} When S. A. N. Rezavi surveyed the village in the 1990s, the only water remaining at the site was the stagnant water at some portions of the dried-up river bed. The dwindling water supply would have greatly reduced agricultural productivity, without a corresponding reduction in tax demands from the [[Jaisalmer State]]. This could have forced the Paliwals to abandon Kuldhara.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=324}} A local legend claims that Salim Singh, the cruel minister of Jaisalmer, levied excessive taxes on the village, leading to its decline.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vzxuAAAAMAAJ |title=Jaisalmer: The City of Golden Sands and Strange Spirits |author=Bindu Manchanda |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2001 |isbn=9788172234348 |page=136 }}</ref>

As stated earlier, the historical records suggest that the population of the village declined gradually: its estimated population was around 1,588 during 17th-18th century; around 800 in 1815; and 37 in 1890.{{sfn|S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi|1995|p=321}} However, a variation of the legend claims that the village was abandoned overnight. According to this version, the lecherous minister Salim Singh was attracted to a beautiful girl from the village. He sent his guards to force the villagers to hand over the girl. The villagers asked the guards to return next morning, and abandoned the village overnight.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lELRo9xARHEC&pg=PA42 |title=Royal Rajasthan |author=Kayita Rani |publisher=New Holland Publishers |year=2007 |isbn=9781847730916 |page=42 }}</ref> Another version claims that 83 other villages in the area were also abandoned overnight.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/travel/the-eerie-townkuldhara-rajasthan_4494601.html |title=The Eerie Town of Kuldhara, Rajasthan |author=Ami Bhat |publisher=Moneycontrol |date=7 December 2015 }}</ref>

A 2017 study by A. B. Roy et al., published in ''[[Current Science]]'', suggests that Kuldhara and other neighbouring Paliwal villages (such as Khabha) were destroyed because of an earthquake. According to the authors, the ruined houses in these villages show evidence of earthquake-related destruction, such as "collapsed roofs, fallen joists, lintels and pillars".{{sfn|A. B. Roy|2017|p=402}} Such extensive destruction cannot be attributed to "the normal processes of weathering and erosion".{{sfn|A. B. Roy|2017|p=403}} The authors further state that their theory is supported by "the evidence of recent tectonic activities and the observed ground movements along several major faults in the region".{{sfn|A. B. Roy|2017|p=404}}

== Tourism ==

[[File:KULDHARA HERITAGE VILLAGE, JAISALMER.JPG|thumb|right|Kuldhara Heritage Resort signboard]]

The local legend claims that while deserting the village, the Paliwals imposed a curse that no one would be able to re-occupy the village. Those who tried to re-populate the village experienced paranormal activities, and therefore, the village remains uninhabited.<ref name="IT_SD_2015">{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jaisalmers-haunted-village-to-be-developed-and-opened-for-tourists-kuldhara/1/550178.html |title=Jaisalmer's 'haunted' village to be developed and opened for tourists |author=Samonway Duttagupta |date=18 December 2015 |publisher=India Today }}</ref>

Gradually, the village acquired reputation as a [[List of reportedly haunted locations|haunted place]], and started attracting tourists.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/agent-vinod-s-shoot-stalled/story-uwCwNZ2FGhfH12CVl2zGPI.html |title=Agent Vinod's shoot stalled |date=29 October 2011 |newspaper=Hindustan Times }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/kuldhara-india-is-a-cursed-village-of-death/news-story/1cf85ddb23d9fc6774c9f7dd2905e458 |title=Kuldhara, India is a cursed ‘village of death’ |date=22 September 2014 |publisher=news.com.au }}</ref> The local residents around the area do not believe in the ghost stories, but propagate them in order to attract tourists.<ref name="Deepika_bucks">{{cite news |url=http://english.pradesh18.com/news/bihar/the-ruins-of-kuldhara-ghostly-or-godly-481733.html |title=The 'haunted' ruins of Kuldhara, where ghost stories mean big bucks |author=Deepika Mahendra |publisher=News 18 |date=19 May 2014 }}</ref> In the early 2010s, [[Gaurav Tiwari]] of Indian Paranormal Society claimed to have observed paranormal activities at the site. The 18-member team of the Society along with 12 other people spent a night at the village. They claimed to have encountered moving shadows, haunting voices, talking spirits, and other paranormal activities.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/BZR-revealed-mystery-behind-the-haunted-village-of-kuldhara-4256276-NOR.html |title=Revealed: Mystery behind the haunted village of Kuldhara |date=7 May 2013 |publisher=Dainik Bhaskar }}</ref>

In 2006, the government set up a "Jurassic Cactus Park" at the site for botanical studies.<ref name="Deepika_bucks"/> In 2011, some scenes of the movie ''[[Agent Vinod (2012 film)|Agent Vinod]]'' & In 2017 climax scenes of the Tamil Movie Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru were shot at the site. The film's crew raised new structures for their set. They painted the ruined walls with [[Taliban]] insignia and [[Urdu]] words for their shooting requirements. They also covered some of the walls with [[cow dung]] to get the rustic look. Many tourists accused them of defacing heritage property, and subsequently, the Rajasthan government stalled the shooting. The police booked cases against three of the crew members. The producers defended themselves blaming the episode on a misunderstanding, and stated that they believed they had the necessary permissions. The Archaeological department imposed a fine of {{INR}} 100,000 on the producers, and also asked them to deposit {{INR}} 300,000 for restoring the defaced structures. After three days of restoration, the Taliban pictures, the Urdu phrases and the cow dung was removed from the walls.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Agent-Vinod-flouts-the-law/articleshow/10527710.cms |title=Agent Vinod flouts the law |author=PB Chandra and Kunal M Shah |newspaper=Mumbai Mirror |date=29 October 2011 }}</ref><ref name="ToI_glory">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ancient-glory-returns-to-Kuldhara/articleshow/10561380.cms |title=Ancient glory returns to Kuldhara |author=Vimal Bhatia |newspaper=The Times of India |date=1 November 2011 }}</ref>

In 2015, the Rajasthan government decided to actively develop the village as a tourist spot.<ref name="IT_SD_2015"/> The project is being undertaken as a [[public-private partnership]] with [[JSW Steel Ltd|Jindal Steel Works]]. The plan includes establishment of visitor facilities such as a cafe, a lounge, a folk-dance performance area, night-stay cottages and shops.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Game-for-night-out-at-haunted-Kuldhara/articleshow/50896761.cms |title=Game for night out at 'haunted' Kuldhara? |author=Rachna Singh |newspaper=The Times of India |date=8 February 2016 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

=== Bibliography ===

* {{cite journal |author1=A. B. Roy |author2=Harsh Bhu |author3=Pankaj Sharma |author4=Kishan Vaishnav |title=Deserted nineteenth century Paliwal villages around Jaisalmer, western Rajasthan, India: historical evidence of palaeoseismicity |journal=[[Current Science]] |year=2017 |volume=112 |issue=2 |url=http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/112/02/0402.pdf |ref={{harvid|A. B. Roy|2017}} }}
* {{cite journal |author=S. Ali Nadeem Rezavi |url=https://archive.org/stream/TheMedievalSiteOfKuldharaInJaisalmer/KuldharaSocEconImplications#page/n0/mode/2up |title=Kuldhara in Jaisalmer State — Social and Economic Implications of the remains of Medieval Settlement |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 56th Session |year=1995 |pages=312–338 }}

[[Category:Reportedly haunted locations in India]]
[[Category:Former populated places in India]]
[[Category:Villages in Jaisalmer district]]

Kuldhara - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 09:20, 14 August 2023