Havelis
Location
:
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Built By
:
Jaisalmer's Wealthy Merchants
Main Attraction
:
Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli
The beautiful mansions built by Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants are known as 'havelis' and several of these fine sandstone buildings are still in beautiful condition. Patwon ki Haveli is the most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis.
Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli
This haveli was built about 300 years ago and part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of a princely state, and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of peacocks. The mansion is just below the hill and it is said, once had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make it as high as the Maharaja's palace, but the maharaja had the upper storeys torn down.
Patwon-Ki-Haveli
The beautiful sandstone mansions of Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants are known as 'havelis'. Patwon ki Haveli is the most convoluted and outstanding of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It stands in a narrow lane and one of its apartments is painted with stunning murals. Salim Singh ki Haveli was built about 300 years ago and a part of this is still being used as residence. It was owned by Salim Singh, a former prime minister of the state of Jaisalmer and has a arched roof with superb carved brackets inn the form of peacocks. Nathmal ki Haveli of the late 19th century was also a prime minister's house and two brothers carved its left and right wings, which are similar in their looks. Its highlights are yellow sandstone elephants that stand majestically at its entrance and the intricately carved front door.
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