Kuldhara: The Rajasthan Village Abandoned More Than 200 Years Ago Once a thriving settlement near Jaisalmer, Kuldhara is today a deserted heritage site surrounded by mystery.
Kuldhara was established in 1291 by Paliwal Brahmins. A Prosperous Settlement
By the early 19th century, the settlement was abandoned. Historical research has suggested several possible reasons, including declining water availability, drought and economic pressures.
Local folklore tells a different story. According to the legend, Jaisalmer minister Salim Singh wanted to marry the village chief's daughter and threatened the villagers when they refused.
The legend says Kuldhara and dozens of surrounding villages were abandoned in a single night. The villagers supposedly left without revealing where they were going.
The exact destination of all the residents is not clearly documented. What remains is the abandoned settlement and the ruins of the community that once lived there.
Another popular legend says the departing villagers cursed Kuldhara, declaring that nobody would ever be able to permanently settle there again. There is no established historical evidence that such a curse existed.