There is a village in Rajasthan named "Kuldhara", where 200 years ago entire people abandoned the village in a single night. Till today no one knows how the 1000's of people of village vanished in a single night because no one seen people moving out from the village and even no one know where these people settled.
Kuldhara was believed to be established in 1291,was once a beautiful village having a population of over 1700 people. It was once the home for Paliwal Brahmins who abandoned their homes. They were well known for their agricultural skills who had overwhelming knowledge of water conservation and rain water harvesting, and miraculously cultivated wheat and gram in the barren wilderness.
What caused them to abandon their village?
Story begins like this......!!!
It is said that Kuldhara was once under the kingdom of Pali, a small kingdom in Thar desert of India. Salim Singh (also called Salum Singh) was the Prime Minister of Jaisalmer, was the most powerful authority.He was well known for his lecherous eye, and evil disposition. On day his eyes fell on a beautiful girl, who was most probably the daughter of the chief of Kuldhara. Enchanted by her beauty, he asked to marry her, but his proposal was refused by the chief as the Deewan was from a lower caste.
He threatened them that he will give only one single day for accepting his proposal then he will forcefully enter the village and seize the girl after the deadline. He also threatened the villagers to face consequences with heavy taxes if his marriage proposal was dishonored.
The Paliwals were left with no choice, so decided to migrate from the village immediately, in the dead of the night to avoid death and dishonor. They took whatever they could with themselves, buried the rest of their treasures and their belongings, and left their households and most of the livestock's behind, never to return.
Before they left, they cursed that the village would remain uninhabited for times immemorial and those who attempt to dwell in these villages shall be death. If anybody tried to dig out their wealth and belongings, they would live to regret their act and suffer.
It is also believed that the Paliwals left their villages in 1825 on the day of Rakhabandhan. By taking the decision that they do not celebrate the festival anymore.
Kuldhara today is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India as a heritage site.
What caused them to abandon their village?
Story begins like this......!!!
It is said that Kuldhara was once under the kingdom of Pali, a small kingdom in Thar desert of India. Salim Singh (also called Salum Singh) was the Prime Minister of Jaisalmer, was the most powerful authority.He was well known for his lecherous eye, and evil disposition. On day his eyes fell on a beautiful girl, who was most probably the daughter of the chief of Kuldhara. Enchanted by her beauty, he asked to marry her, but his proposal was refused by the chief as the Deewan was from a lower caste.
He threatened them that he will give only one single day for accepting his proposal then he will forcefully enter the village and seize the girl after the deadline. He also threatened the villagers to face consequences with heavy taxes if his marriage proposal was dishonored.
The Paliwals were left with no choice, so decided to migrate from the village immediately, in the dead of the night to avoid death and dishonor. They took whatever they could with themselves, buried the rest of their treasures and their belongings, and left their households and most of the livestock's behind, never to return.
Before they left, they cursed that the village would remain uninhabited for times immemorial and those who attempt to dwell in these villages shall be death. If anybody tried to dig out their wealth and belongings, they would live to regret their act and suffer.
It is also believed that the Paliwals left their villages in 1825 on the day of Rakhabandhan. By taking the decision that they do not celebrate the festival anymore.
Kuldhara today is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India as a heritage site.
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