Question 1

What is the story of Kuldhara village?

Accepted Answer

The township of Kuldhara constituted of 84 villages that were inhabited by the Paliwal Brahmins who migrated from the Pali region in northern India. The Paliwals were known as accomplished farmers who could grow crops on the arid soil of the Thar Desert and its adjacent areas. They lived here for over five centuries and turned it into a flourishing settlement. But, suddenly one night the entire village was vacated with a curse that thereafter no human being will come and settle on the soil of Kuldhara Village. It is said that the whole region of Kuldhara remains under a spell of uncanny silence due to the presence of evil spirits. Many people from Jaisalmer have tried to come and settle in Kuldhara Village but no one succeeded in their attempts. That is why the houses in the village remain almost in the same condition as they were left some 200 years back.

Question 2

Why is Kuldhara abandoned?

Accepted Answer

The Kuldhara Village was originally inhabited by the Paliwals who suddenly deserted the place in the dead of the night in 1825 to escape the ruthless oppression of the local ruler, Salim Singh who forced the poor farmers to pay him heavy amount of taxes. Then one day his evil eyes were set upon the daughter of the village chieftain. Salim Singh went up to the extent of demanding the girl’s hand for marriage. He also warned the chief saying that the villagers would have to face severe consequences had the chief not obeyed his demands. Salim Singh also gave the chief a deadline of 24 hours to make his decision. Out of remorse and fear of the consequences, the 84 village communities left their houses, land, and everything they built over six centuries, under the cover of darkness. Before leaving they set the village under a swear word that no human thereafter would settle on the soil of Kuldhara Village and if anyone dared to defy the hex would be met with death. Since then there has been no human settlement in that village for the last 200 years.

Question 3

How far is Kuldhara from Jaisalmer?

Accepted Answer

Kuldhara Village is located at a distance of 21 km from Jaisalmer along the Barmer Road.