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In this archive story we are learning about the 'Havelis', which are Tradional recidences in India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer. |
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The 'Havelis' in India are an art-form unto themselves, magnificently carved with fine lattice work and made out of golden sandstone. Once upon a time, these 'Havelis' were owned by rich merchants with vast monopolies on trade over the Silk Route, some of whose descendants still occupy these once-grand residences today.
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Havelis in India
A 'Haveli' is a traditional townhouse, mansion, manor house, in the Indian subcontinent, usually one with historical and architectural significance and located in a town or city. The word 'Haveli' is derived from Arabic 'Hawali', meaning 'Partition' or 'Private space', popularised under the Mughal Empire and was devoid of any architectural affiliations. Later, the word 'Haveli' came to be used as a generic term for various styles of regional mansions, manor houses, townhouse found in the Indian subcontinent.
How were the 'Havelis' identified?
During the medieval period, the term 'Haveli' was also appliedby some Vaishnava sects to refer to their temples in Gujarat under the Mughal Empire and Rajputana kingdoms. The generic term 'Haveli' eventually came to be identified with townhouses and mansions of the merchant class.
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A testament to the nation's rich and vibrant past
Nestled in the heart of India, the majestic and historic 'Havelis' of the country are a testament to the nation's rich and vibrant past. A 'Haveli' is a traditional Indian house, typically with a large courtyard and multiple stories and the 'Havelis' of India boast intricate carvings, grandeur and a unique architecture that has stood the test of time. The 'Havelis' of India have been around for centuries and are made up of a variety of materials including wood, stone and brick. They have also been decorated with intricate carvings, frescoes and murals. The 'Havelis' are often constructed around a large courtyard with walls, gates and balconies. Some 'Havelis' even have a small temple, known as a 'Mandir', incorporated in the architecture.
The 'Havelis' of India are an integral part of the country's culture and they are often used to host a variety of events, such as weddings and festivals. Some of the more famous 'Havelis' include the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, the Sheesh Mahal in Lahore and the Red Fort in Delhi. The 'Havelis' of India are also a popular tourist destination for those looking to explore the country's culture and history. Tourists can take guided tours of the 'Havelis' and many of them are open to the public for viewing. During these tours, visitors can learn about the history and architecture of the 'Havelis' and they can also view the intricate decor and carvings.
"The 'Havelis' of India are a symbol of the country's rich history and culture and they are a must-see for anyone looking to experience the beauty of India. From the intricate carvings and frescoes to the grandeur of the architecture, the 'Havelis' of India offer a unique and unforgettable experience"
Construction and functions of the 'Havelis'
The chowk or courtyard served as the centre for various ceremonies and rituals. The sacred 'Tulsi plant' was placed here and worshipped daily to bring prosperity to the house. The 'Chowk', at times, separated areas for men and women and provided them with privacy. Using open space in the building design to respond to the local climate, air movement caused by temperature differences assists in the natural ventilation of the building. In the daytime, the court was used mostly by women to carry out their work and interact with other women in a private open space. Mansions of the merchant class often had more than one courtyard.
In Mor chowk, part of the City Palace complex in Udaipur, there is the concept of the courtyard as a dancing hall. Similarly, in 'Havelis', a courtyard has several functions, commonly used for weddings and festive occasions. Materials are bricks, sandstone, marble, wood, plaster and granite are commonly used materials. Decorative aspects are influenced by various local cultures and traditions Kristian Bertel | Photography learned.
All these elements join to form an enclosure and give the chowk a composed, secured feel and the architectural form of 'Havelis' has evolved in response to the climate, lifestyle and availability of material. In hot climates where cooling is a necessity, buildings with internal courtyards for airflow and cooling were considered the most appropriate because in rainy places the houses were built to be kept dry from humid air. It provided shade while also allowing light inside. The arcade along the court or the high wall around it, kept the interiors cool.
Influenced by Rajasthani architecture
Many of the 'Havelis' of India and Pakistan were influenced by Rajasthani architecture and they usually contain a courtyard, often with a fountain in the center. The old cities of Agra, Lucknow, Jaisalmer and Delhi in India and Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Hyderabad in Pakistan have many fine examples of Rajasthani-style 'Havelis'. 'Havelis' in Nepal were built in the 'Newari' architectural style such as houses in old markets and bazaars in Kathmandu, Kritipur, Bhakthapur and Patan are built in this style. In the northern part of India, 'Havelis' for Lord Krishna with huge mansion-like constructions are prevalent. These 'Havelis' are noted for their frescoes depicting images of gods, goddesses, animals, scenes from the British colonization and the life stories of Lords Rama and Krishna. The music here was known as 'Haveli sangeet'.
Later on, these temple architectures and frescoes were imitated while building huge individual mansions and now the word is popularly associated with the mansions themselves. Between 1830 and 1930, Marwaris erected buildings in their homeland Shekhawati and Marwar. These buildings were called 'Havelis'. The Marwaris commissioned artists to paint those buildings, which were heavily influenced by the Mughal architecture. Nangal Sirohi in Mahendragarh district, 130 kilometers from Delhi, is popular for its 'Havelis' and architecture within this area. The 'Havelis' served as status symbols for the Marwaris as well as homes for their extended families, providing security and comfort in seclusion from the outside world. The 'Havelis' were designed to be closed from all sides with one large main gate.
"The typical 'Havelis' in Shekhawati incorporated two courtyards — an outer one for the men, which served as an extended threshold, and the inner one, the domain of the women. The largest 'Havelis' could have up to 3 or 4 courtyards and were 2 to 3 stories high. Most of the 'Havelis' are empty nowadays or are maintained by a watchman, while others have been converted into hotels and tourist attractions"
See this video about 'Havelis' in India made by Desi Traveling.
Popular tourist attractions
The towns and villages of Shekhawati are famous for the embellished frescoes on the walls of their grandiose 'Havelis', to the point of becoming popular tourist attractions. The 'Havelis' in and around Jaisalmer Fort also known as the 'Golden Fort', situated in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, of which the three most impressive are Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal-Ki Haveli, deserve special mention. These were the elaborate homes of Jaisalmer's rich merchants. The ostentatious carvings, etched in sandstone with great detail and then painstakingly pieced together in lavish patterns, were commissioned to put on show the owner's status and wealth. Around Jaisalmer, they are typically carved from yellow sandstone. They are often characterized by wall paintings, frescoes, 'Jharokhas', which are balconies and archways.
"- I had always been fascinated by the 'Havelis', the traditional mansions of India, that showcased the architectural and artistic brilliance of the past. So when I got the chance to visit Rajasthan, the state that had the most number of 'Havelis' in the country, I was ecstatic. I wanted to see the 'Havelis' that had been preserved and restored and learn about their history and culture", the Photographer says.
"- I headed to Jaisalmer, the 'Golden City', where I saw the Jaisalmer Fort, a living fort that had a palace, temples, 'Havelis' and shops within its walls. I also visited the Patwon Ki Haveli, the largest and most ornate 'Haveli' in the city and the Salim Singh Ki Haveli, a 'Haveli' with a distinctive peacock-shaped roof. I then enjoyed a camel safari in the Thar Desert, where I saw the sand dunes, the sunset and the stars", the Photographer says again.
"- I also went to Shekhawati, the region that was known as the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan, where I saw the most number of 'Havelis' in the state. I visited the towns of Mandawa, Nawalgarh and Fatehpur, where I saw the 'Havelis' that were decorated with frescoes, paintings and murals that depicted the scenes from mythology, history and everyday life. I was amazed by the beauty and diversity of the 'Havelis' and the stories they told. I had a wonderful time in Rajasthan, where I experienced the 'Havelis', the traditional mansions of India. I learned a lot about the architecture, art and culture of the state and its people and I made some unforgettable memories. I would love to visit Rajasthan again and see more of its 'Havelis'", the Photographer says again.
Read also: Boy in a village portraiture
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India is a land full of stories. On every street, on every corner and in the many places in India, life is rushing by you as a photographer with millions of stories to be told. In the archive story above, you hopefully had a readable insight in the story that was behind the photo of a 'Haveli' in Jaisalmer. On this website of Kristian Bertel | Photography you can find numerous travel pictures from the photographer. Stories and moments that tell the travel stories of how the photographer captured the specific scene that you see in the picture. The photographer's images have a story behind them, images that all are taken from around India throughout his photo journeys. The archive stories delve into Kristian's personal archive to reveal never-before-seen, including portraits and landscapes beautifully produced snapshots from various travel assignments. The archive is so-far organized into photo stories, this one included, each brought to life by narrative text and full-color photos. Together, these fascinating stories tell a story about the life in India. India, the motherland to many people around the world, a land of unforgetable travel moments. The archive takes viewers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in the photographer's archive collection. The photographer culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty and everyday life in India. By adding these back stories the photographer's work might immensely enhanced the understanding of the photographs.
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