Bikaner attracted merchants and bankers from the late 15C onwards. Taking advantage of the strategic location of the town, an important staging post for caravans after crossing the Thar, the most astute of these quickly amassed huge fortunes. As in other towns in Rajasthan, this success allowed them to built magnificent homes. The old town, surrounded by 8km-long walls with five gates, is still home to dozens of these havelis and hundred-year-old houses with façades fronted with balconies and jali delicately sculpted in red sandstone.