JESSELMERE, a native state of Hindustan, in the province of Rajpootana, situate between the 26th and 28th degrees of N. Lat., and extending to the sandy desert, which constitutes the western boundary of that province. It is a barren country, being for the most part an uninterrupted tract of sand, without rivers, and the wells being of very great depth under ground.
The ruler of Jesselmere has an annual revenue of £8500, of which about one-half is derived from transit duties, and the remainder from miscellaneous sources. A small military force maintained by the feudal chiefs is kept up for the service of the state. The history of Jesselmere is little known before 1808, when its ruler, alarmed at the encroachments of his neighbour, the chief of Bahawulpore, made advances to an amicable understanding with the British government. This relation matured in 1818 into an alliance by which Jesselmere became entitled to British protection, and engaged to act in subordinate co-operation with the British government, and with submission to its supremacy. Jesselmere, the capital of this state, contains about 8000 houses, and a population of 35,000. Distant N.W. from Calcutta 1290 miles. Lat. 26. 56; Long. 70. 58.