Jodhpur is a hot and bustling trading town located on the fringe of the Great Thar Desert. It has been an important trading town for centuries and is a center for incense and spices. It became rich and powerful from the sale of opium and sandalwood as well as controlling a vital route on the subcontinent. Maharajas poured their wealth into art and architecture and built one of the mightiest forts in the world, Mehrangarh Fort. Originally built in 1459, it completely dominates the city below. Scaling the walls is not an option as they are hundreds of feet tall and unbelievably thick. Inside the fort is a series of courtyards, arcades, and palace apartments. The Raj and Mugal architecture is incredibly opulent. The rooms where the Maharaja would give an audience are richly decorated and have posh floor pillows, silver lined fans and umbrellas. Women were excluded from any meetings or official gatherings but had secrete balconies and screened walls from which they could spy on the proceedings.