Patwon ki Haveli: The Mansion of the Brocade Merchants

Our guide soon led us to our next destination- the famous Patwon ki Haveli. It is actually a cluster of 5 havelis. On the way we did some gift shopping. And reached the haveli cluster by foot. These magnificient 19th century mansions were commissioned by a wealthy merchant Guman Chand Patwa, for his 5 sons. Our guide got us the tickets for visiting. We clicked some photos of the exterior meanwhile. We chose to visit one of the cheaper havelis, without mush decorations and rush.

Patwon ki Haveli: from outside

These multistoried buildings were made of the characteristic yellow sandstone, with no cement or mortar. The unique blend of Rajputana, Mughal and Victorian architectural styles were truly intriguing. The intricate jalis, jharokhas and enclosed balconies, provide natural light and ventilation to the interior. The fine sandstone carvings in various patterns showed off the craftsmanship of the artisans. The main doors were made of durable and sturdy wood.

The interconnected havelis

We entered the chosen haveli. There were only a few fellow tourists there. The inner courtyard reminded me of a naalukettu. Our guide stationed himself in the ground floor. Both of us roamed around the different floors, and rooms, took some memorable photos. These small havelis were not given proper maintenance, because we found that some of the inner rooms were the abode of bats.

The interior of one of the havelis

After creating a collection of good pics, we slowly left the haveli. The guide showed us more shopping spots and we bid farewell to him. Our ride came and we were transported to the next area.