The end of Kuldhara village – a mysterious and long process
Kuldhara, a deserted village in Jaisalmer district, located about 18 kilometers from the Jaisalmer Fort, is one of the most haunted places in India. This village flourished about 300 years ago, but suddenly one night the entire village became empty. The story of the migration of this village is linked to curses, atrocities, and mystery. To understand this, we have to know the history of this village, the reason for its prosperity, and then the process of its gradual destruction.
1. The period of prosperity of Kuldhara village (12th – 17th century)
Kuldhara village was settled by Paliwal Brahmins. These people were very intelligent, wealthy and skilled in water management. Agriculture and trade were flourishing in this area. Paliwal Brahmins developed an advanced water harvesting system here, due to which this area was fertile even though it was dry.
- The village had magnificent houses, wells, and temples.
- There were many villages of Paliwal Brahmins, and Kuldhara was one of them.
- This village was quite developed socially and economically.
2. Beginning of the end of the village – Around the year 1800
The destructive process of Kuldhara village started when the eyes of the Diwan Salim Singh of Jaisalmer fell on the prosperity and wealth of Kuldhara village.
Atrocities of Diwan Salam Singh
- Salam Singh was the Diwan (Prime Minister) of the ruler of Jaisalmer
- He was a cruel and greedy man, who used to impose heavy taxes on the poor.
- He cast an evil eye on a beautiful girl of Kuldhara village and wanted to make her his wife.
Increasing atrocities on Paliwal Brahmins
- Salam Singh threatened the people of the village to hand over the girl to him, otherwise they would have to face heavy taxes.
- The Paliwal Brahmins could not tolerate this insult and protested against it.
- As a result of this pressure, the people of the village came into a difficult situation.
3. How the whole village was emptied in one night
The Paliwal Brahmins held a secret meeting to escape the atrocities of Diwan Salam Singh. They decided that they would leave the village to protect their identity, but would not hand over their daughter to Salam Singh.
- In one night, people from 85 villages left their homes including Kuldhara.
- No one knows where they went.
- Before leaving, they cursed their village that no one would be able to settle here.
4. Curse and process of desolation on the village (19th – 20th century)
The curse of the Paliwal Brahmins
- When the Paliwal Brahmins were leaving the village, they said that anyone who tries to settle in this village will be ruined
- After this, many times people tried to settle here, but strange incidents started happening, which scared the people.
- Gradually, Kuldhara and other villages around it became deserted.
Gradual ruins of Kuldhara
- By the end of the 19th century, the village was completely deserted.
- The walls of the houses started falling down, but their structure was still intact.
- The wells and water collection system of the village started drying up.
- Kuldhara and its surrounding villages became deserted faster than other villages of Jaisalmer.
5. Kuldhara today – a haunted village
Today, Kuldhara village has been declared a protected heritage site by the Rajasthan government.
Strange events and ghostly tales
- Strange sounds are said to be heard in the village at night.
- Some people have claimed to have seen shadows and mysterious powers in the village.
- Most of the tourists have felt that someone is touching or watching them, even though there is no one there.
- It is forbidden to stay overnight in the village, because supernatural events occur here.
Conclusion: The process of the end of the village
1. Prosperity of Paliwal Brahmins → The village was advanced in trade and agriculture.
2. Evil eye of Salam Singh → An attempt was made to forcefully marry a girl from the village.
3. Decision to leave the village → Paliwal Brahmins vacated the village in one night to protect their identity.
4. Curse on the village → After this no one could settle here, and the village slowly deserted.
5. The village becoming haunted → Now Kuldhara has become a horror and mysterious place.
The end of Kuldhara village was not dramatic, but it was the result of a long process of oppression, migration and curse.
