Woman collecting cow dung to be used for cooking fuel with The Fort which stands 76 meters above the town of Jaisalmer and is enclosed by a 9km wall in the back ground. Rajasthan, INDIA
Founded in 1156 Jaisalmer grew to be a major staging post on the trade route across the forbidding Thar desert from India to the west. It is known as the Golden City as the fort and town's buildings are built from the local yellow sandstone. The bustling narrow streets are lined with tradesmen selling their wares. Many of the smalll shops are occupied by descendents of the original owners. There are many exceptional Havelis (mansions of rich merchants - exquistely carved) both in the fort and the old walled town.