Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha and is dominated by the impressive Meherangarh fort, towering some 125 meters above the Blue City. The old city, comprised of a mesmerizing cubist mass of sky-blue angles, is surrounded by a 10 km 16th century wall. Traditionally, blue signified the home of a Brahmin, but it has become a more widespread theme. The effulgent shades of blue are not only esthetically pleasing, but also provide cooling in the scorching summer months and are thought to repel insects. The small alleys are crowded with shops of all flavours, industrious family run factories, feral cows, open sewers and speeding motorcycles in just the right doses as not to completely over stimulate the senses.