Fortress of Stories: A Study of Heritage Conservation and Resident Dynamics in Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan

Jaisalmer Fort, founded in 1156 CE by Rawal Jaisal Singh, is India's only living fort and one of the last inhabited fortresses in the world. For nearly nine centuries residents, majorly Pushkarna Brahmin and Rawana Rajput communities, have maintained homes, craft traditions, ritual practices, and commercial livelihoods within its UNESCO World Heritage walls. The fort's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, combined with the rapid expansion of domestic tourism has transformed Jaisalmer's economy while placing unprecedented pressure on its infrastructure, governance, and social fabric.