What does our name mean?

We are often asked what the name of the store refers to. The word Haveli is derived from pre-Islamic Persian, and describes an enclosed area. This is a very apt description for these dwellings that face inward to a central courtyard surrounded by walls with only the upper façade looking out to the world. To the trader and nobility of Rajasthan, northwestern India, the haveli was his home, his status, his headquarters and his fortification.

The initial building of these dwellings is attributed to the Rajput rulers of Rajasthan beginning in the 16th century to house their court officials and nobles. Nearing the end of the 18th century, this shifted to wealthy Hindu traders located on the trading routes. These routes expedited the movement of commodities such as cotton, spices and opium from the busy port of Surat to Delhi.

Approaching the haveli, you are greeted at the entrance by a set of massive iron/wooden gates, which are generally kept, locked and opened only for entry of goods or a family celebration. There is however a small door through which the occupants of the house are able to come and go as part of their daily routines. After entering, there were generally two small rooms which were used by the watchmen or chowkidars, whose responsibility it was to control the opening of the gates and general security.

Once beyond this checkpoint, you entered the first court which was the court of business, where the owner would negotiate his business transactions and in some cases store goods. The next court, entered thru a beautiful door, was the inner sanctum of the family. The courtyard was surrounded by sleeping rooms and kitchens and was where dally life was led. All of these walls would have been rubbed with a white plaster finish and, as in the Shekharwati region, painted with wonderful paintings of religious and cultural subjects.

This is a very simplified explanation of the haveli, as the diversity of structure and size varies from area to area. The pictures posted here are from the Shekharwati region that I visited and find extremely fascinating. Unfortunately, many of the old havelis have fallen into disrepair, the families have left these traditional homes and keep the properties locked.