Jodhpur is at the edge of the Thar desert and is the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. The city is dominated by a massive fort, topping a sheer rocky ridge right in the middle of the town. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan known as the Rathores. His descendants ruled not only Jodhpur, but also other Rajput princely states.
The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by 10 kms long wall, built about a century after the city was founded. From the fort, you can clearly see where the old city ends and the new begins. It's fascinating to wander around the jumble of winding streets in the old city, out of which eight gates lead. Jodhpur is affectionately referred to as the ' Blue City ' because of the indigo-coloured houses in the old town. These can be seen from the ramparts of the mighty Mehrangarh, which looms high above the buzzing city.