Jaisalmer is a city located in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, situated in the heart of the Thar Desert. Located approximately 575 kilometres west of the state capital, Jaipur, it serves as the administrative headquarters for the Jaisalmer district. The city was founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati clan of Rajputs and served as a medieval trading center and the historic capital of the kingdom of Jaisalmer.
Known as "The Golden City," Jaisalmer is characterized by its construction from finely sculptured yellow sandstone. The city sits on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is crowned by the Jaisalmer Fort, a World Heritage Site hilltop citadel featuring 99 bastions, a royal palace, and several ornate Jain temples. Many houses and temples within the fort and the town below share this distinctive architectural style. The local population is approximately 78,000.