The Unexplored Medieval Hamlet Of Khaba In Rajasthan

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by: manishesrttulsiangh
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Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 Time: 4:54 AM
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Forsaken by Palwal Brahmin in ancient times, Khaba is one of the two relinquished villages used by them. It is very close to Jaisalmer, the extraordinary desert township of Rajasthan (mere 20 Kms away). It has a magnificent Citadel, which has been repaired. Spend some time between the sand dunes of Khuri and feel the magic of being in an Arabian nights story - the sun kissed golden dunes, camels as your wheels, relaxing in grand tents. It is quite possible that you may get goosebumps, such is the cooling beauty of the moment, particularly in the night. Hundreds of years ago, Palwal Brahmins constructed a group of 8 villages before abandoning them. The forsaken villages of Khaba and Kuldhara hold, special charm. As you set on the road to visit these lovely ruins, you cannot but help wonder about what is the real truth as legends, facts and folklore gloriously mix together. . For miles, all you see is cactus and wild shrubs and desert sand. The spartan desert landscape is livened up by the occassional glimpse of colourfully attired hamletrs.
More barren hillocks and sand dunes later you come upon the Khabha Fort. Small but impressive is how one will observe the fort to be. It has been restored and well worth a visit. From its terrace you can see all around. The view that greets you is just the ruins of Khabha hamlet spilling all around at the foot of the hill. The ruins are benignly watched over by the ageing edifice of a temple . One thing that stood out was greenery around the area, thanks to the agricultural genius of the Palwal clan. The Palwals had been able to cultivate wheat and legumes in the desert due to discovery of an unique method. Analysts offer the explanation that the villages of Palwal were located on a land which had gysum underneath it. Land with gysum beneath is good for cultivation as it is able to retain moisture obtained from the rainwater.
The ghostly yet charming feel descends upon us as you move between the abandoned hamlet. Stacked stones to create unbound walls, broken streets greet you. The temple sits on the most prominent path of the hamlet. The temple is a single chamber of carved sandstone. Inspite of the partly fallen roof, one cannot help but observe the largely intact nature of the temple. The sanctum of course, as expected, was empty. It is not clear still today whether the temple was ravaged or whether the Palwals themselves shifted out the idols.
Continue further on and you come across another abandoned hamlet called Kuldhara. As you reach the village of Kuldhara you might hear notes being played on the morchang (a single stringed instrument). You could wonder what does this tune tell - a nomadic song or a tale of the vanished Palwals. Today a ruined hamlet, a cultivable land is left in the wake of the dissappeared Palwals, demonstrating to today their hardy spirit which made this land habitable.

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