Introduction to Khimsar : Perched on the edge of the great Thar Desert is the fort town of Khimsar. The royal castle of Khimsar was once an embattled fort. Today, peacocks stroll across the protective battlements and a swimming pool glitters like a jewel at the heart of the stronghold. Khimsar castle was originally the stronghold of Rao Karamsi, the eighth of fourteen sons of Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur, 90 kms away. Rao Karamsi settled down in Khimsar and built the fort at the end of the 16th century and his descendants have lived there ever since.

Sightseeing: The unique fort at Khimsar offers a wide range of experiences. The fort was built by Rao Karamsiji, the 8th son of the Jodhpur founder, Rao Jodha, who moved to this region and founded the royal dynasty at Khimsar. 

The fort's battle-scarred walls and turrets are a tell-tale reminder of Khimsar's glorious past. In mid 18th century, the royal family moved in and a new 'zenana' (ladies' wing) was built with finely carved windows in stone grills to provide 'purdah' or veil for ladies-in-waiting. Subsequently, Thakur Onkar Singh built for himself a regal wing.

In 1997-98, the Khimsar Fort was awarded the Grand Heritage classification by the Department of Tourism, Government of India. A section of the fort still remains the residence of the royal family of Khimsar.