atwon ki haveli

The haveli stands as the main and the most significant mansions in Jaisalmer. The
first haveli in this complex was constructed in 1805 by the wealthy Guman Chand
Patwa. He was an affluent jewelry and brocade merchant. He built each of the
havelis for his five sons. The first haveli is the main and also the grandest haveli in
the complex. The five havelis were constructed over a span of 60 years in the
early 1800‘s. The mansion is popular, because it was the first haveli to be built in
the city and the second to be constructed in Rajasthan.
History
The history of the Kothari‘s Patwa Haveli dates back to early eighteenth century,
when the Patwas were struggling to set up their trade and business. On the advice
of a priest at the Jain Temple, the Patwa brothers left Jaisalmer with the intention
of never returning (they were advised by the priest that their business could not
flourish in Jaisalmer). The legend has it that the Patwas were immensely
successful thereafter and their business spanned across banking & finance, silver,
brocade and opium trade. Eventually, Patwas rose to such heights that they were
called upon to finance the state deficit. This brought the clan back to their old
habitat. The then head of the family, Ghuman Chand Patwa, decided to gift each
of his five sons a separate and elaborate mansion, ignoring the advice of the
priest. Thus came up the five grandiose havelis facing the Jaisalmer Fort.
Unfortunately, the lives of the Patwas took a ‘u‘ turn after their return to
Jaisalmer and their fortunes started dwindling.
Consequently, they had to abandon the city-state again, leaving the havelis at the
mercy of care takers. The care takers became the owners in the course of time
and decided to put the havelis up for sale. Care taker of the first haveli
approached Mr.Jeevanlalji Kothari, who was a native of Jaisalmer and like patwas
had left Jaisalmer to explore better opportunities. Mr.Kothari, with a view to
remain connected with his native place, decided to buy the first haveli. Hence it
was renamed as the Kothari‘s Patwa Haveli.

Architecture

At Site Level
The haveli is aligned in a narrow lane in the heart of the city because it was the
foremost haveli to be built in the city and save itself rough sandy winds.

At Building Level
Planning
1. Out of five, two havelis are under the authorization
of the Archaeological Survey of India and one serves
as private accommodation.
2. Kothari‘s Patwa Haveli is made up of yellow sand
stone which can easily be carved and also a good
insulator of heat.
3. Each of these havelis are five storied. The main gate
is on a high plinth of about 7‘or 8‘high reached by a
flight of steps.
4. Here the otla (platform) planned along the main
gate is partly covered and the ceiling of mol (drawing
room) covers this space. The ceiling which projects
out helps in keeping the basement cool. Rooms are well lit ventilated and by holes
pierced in the form of taraphul (star-shaped) holes. The lowest levels are provided
with small openings to allow maximum cool air to pass.
5. The chambers at ground level were designed to store things, so that the
transportation of material is easy. First floor and above were meant for
residential purposes of the family members so that there is privacy. The mol is
generally found decorated at its best, and its back portion on this floor is called
medi. The mol is elaborately decorated to show the status of the owner to the
guests. The courtyard is small and enclosed by high walls.

Exterior
1. Street facing facade, each of the five havelis has been well decorated with
splendid carvings, jharokas, baris, sun holes and kanwals (oriel windows).

2. The haveli has 60 balconies (Jharokhas) that overlook the street and
courtyard. The amount of Jharokha are more on the upper floors as
compared to the lower floors.
 3. The entrance of the haveli features a beautiful arched gateway with a
delicately carved façade.
4. The exterior façade has been provided with cupolas on either side of the
terrace to give a good view of the city and also for the warning from the
enemies.
5. Jali is provided all around the haveli for light and ventilation with decorative
lattice work on the exterior as well as in the interior façade. The jalis are
provided for the percolation of cool air from small openings and lighting of
the interiors and also for privacy.
Conclusion: Jalis and Jharokhas are the features which makes the solid
facade protected from the sun.

Interior
1. The halls or rooms have cornice, panihara (niche), beel (projected slab above
the arched doors or windows) where objects of interests were placed as
decorative pieces. Small niches (ala) meant for oil lamps are splendidly
carved and ornate, to show a good light and shadow effect in the interiors.
Separate lamp-stand in stone was carved out in the wall.
2. The ceilings and pillars are exquisitely carved. The walls also feature beautiful
mirror work and several paintings and murals.

3. The mirror work helps in the reflection of light. The murals and interiors is
inspired from the Rajput, Mughal as well as Victorian architecture. Hindu and
Muslim craftsman from Gujarat, Malwa and Sindh worked in constructing
these havelis.
4. Kitchen at upper floor, and the ceiling of the upper most floor is done with
timber to keep roof cool. Parapet is inclined not an exact angle of 90 deg.
from floor it is around 95 to 105 deg.
Analysis Using Principles of Architecture
1. AXIS - The axis is achieved in the façade in
terms of symmetry and in the plan in terms of
the movements and openings along the same
axis and direction.
2. SYMMETRY - The symmetry is almost
achieved through the placement of the
various openings like Jharokhas, columns etc.
3. HIERARCHY - It is achieved in the façade according
to the size of the openings. The size of openings
increases from top to bottom. Jharokhas are in a
decreasing order from top to bottom.
4. RHYTHM - This is achieved by the used of similar
use of forms and openings. The openings are of the
same type on the façade with jail work, the type of
chajja projection and ornamented with similar
motifs.
5. PROPORTION - The proportion can be seen in the design of the facad and
the Jharokhas.

Nachna haveli
LOCATION
Gandhi Chowk, Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer. The haveli is located in the Trikut of
Jaisalmer because it belongs to the members of the royal family.
HISTORY
This Haveli was built in the 18th century, Maharaja Kesri Singh ji wanted to
make an architecturally strong, planned and beautiful mansion. So, various
Artisans were invited to present the Maharaja with their subsequent ideas.
Finally the0 model which was approved for the design is a Masterpiece, as it is
intricately carved on a single sand stone. Maharaja died when the work of the
haveli was supposed to be three stories, but the ground floor was finished and
two rooms were made on the first floor, so the Haveli still stands incomplete.

ARCHITECTURE
The Sandstone Haveli has a strong Foundation along with tallest single stone
carved columns, intricate stone carving, beautiful courtyards with swings and
fountains. The rooms have arched and vaulted high ceilings. The haveli
consists of three courtyards since the haveli is spread over a larger area and
there are many spaces where cooling is required. A fountain is provided in one
of the courtyard of the haveli because it helps in the passive cooling of the
 nearby spaces of the haveli. The entrance is flanked a Jharokhas on either side.

At Site Level
The haveli is located at Gandhi chowk in the heart of the upper city because
it was the haveli of royal family.
The site is now very crowded because the Gandhi chowk is the main market of
Jaisalmer but the havelis have a privacy because it belongs to royal family and
just beside the haveli, palace of the king of Jaisalmer.

At Building Level
Planning
1. One part of the haveli is now a heritage hotel as well as the terrace has a
restaurant, in the other part of the haveli is the residence of the royal family.
2. Nachna Haveli is made up of yellow sand stone which can easily be carved and
also a good insulator of heat.
3. Haveli has a very large basement which was the stable for camel horses and
elephants but now it is used as a store. They are planning to convert it into
habitable space but the problem is light.
4. Here the otla (platform) is planned inside the main gate and was used for
people to climb on camel and horse.
5. The haveli has three courtyards the very first courtyard was for he people to
come and sit and if the person is not allowed inside the owner used come outside
and have meeting with the person. The second courtyard is the mardana
courtyard which has a fountain. The third courtyard is for zanani deodhi , and the
kitchen is on the upper floor.
Now the zenana and mardana courtyard is converted into a heritage hotel.

NATHMAL KI HAVELI, JAISALMER

LOCATION
It is located between patwon ki haveli and Nachna haveli.

INTRODUCTION

Nathmal ki haveli is the residence of Diwan Mohata Nathmal, Prime Minister of

Jaisalmer. The haveli was built in 1885 AD by the architect brothers Lulu and
Hathi, It is said that the two brothers started building different facets of haveli
simultaneously. The haveli reflects the grand lifestyle of the royals of Rajasthan.
The interior of the mansion is also paid attention on. The walls carry beautiful
carvings and murals. The jharokas (windows) and the balconies are the main
attraction of the mansion. The screens are so finely carved that they resemble
delicately carved jewellery pieces. In those days there were no such instruments,
which could keep a track on continuity and thus when this building came up
finally it had irregular shape.

ARCHITECTURE
SITE LEVEL
Both the wings of the mansion were built by different people simultaneous
the haveli carries a wonderful harmony and striking symmetry. Nathmalji Ki
Haveli features two life sized carved tuckers (elephants) made of yellow
stone guarding the main entrance to compare themselves to the ruler and
also the owner being the then prime minister of the ruler.

BUILDING LEVEL
Planning
The haveli exists as a perfect example of the
blend of Rajput and Islamic architecture.
The architectural features and the detailed
carvings give royal feeling. The plan of the
first floor is a well-designed. The facade of
this floor is handsomely carved and
beautifully designed with traditional
trellises and bays for privacy of women of
the house and providing cool air. The
Courtyard is always remained small and
enclosed by high walls as a protection
against the dust laden winds and also for cooling of the nearby spaces.

Exterior
1. Havelis of the Diwans always have elephants to show their social status.
2. The front face is decorated with a series of motifs like steam-engines,
cycles, soldiers, caparisoned horses, elephants and birds in stone are
carved.
3. The facade apparently displays the strict formal balance but on close
observation it is found that one half is not exact imitation of the other
half in the design of windows and projections.
4. Symmetry is achieved even then the haveli was designed by different
architects.

5. The Jharokhas overlooks streets, Jali is provided all around the haveli for
light and ventilation with decorative lattice work. The jalis are for the
percolation of cool air from small openings and lighting of the interiors
and also for privacy.

Interior
1. The interior of the mansion features miniature paintings.
2. The carvings on the walls and pillars are so fine and intricate that
visitors cannot escape observing the fine craftsmanship to portray their
status in the society. The pillars and walls have images of horses, cattle
and other animals are carved over them to show their daily life, culture
and traditions and also show the mode of travel during the time of
construction of the haveli. There are also several floral depictions on the
walls of the mansion.
3. The most interesting aspect of this haveli is the drawing of modern
amenities such as cars, fans etc. showing influence of modern
amenities. Other than these, there are pictures engraved on pillars
and walls consisting of Horses, Cattle, and depiction of Flora among
other things.

Analysis Using Principles of Architecture

AXIS- This is achieved in the façade forming the axis of symmetry and in
the plans as per openings and movements formed through the courtyard.

SYMMETRY-Almost an absolute symmetry is achieved in the façade

through the placement of Jharokhas, openings and entrance .It is also
achieved by the placement of the elephants on the either side of the
façade.
HIERARCHY-It is achieved in the façade by the size of the Jharokhas
which increase from the upper stories to the lower stories.

RHYTHM-This is achieved by the use of similar types of openings,

Jharokhas and placements of the elephants on the either side of the
façade.
REPETATION-This can be seen in the Jharokhas, Jali work, bagalias and
the elephants.

PROPORTION- The proportion is achieved by the symmetry in the

façade and the Jharokhas. This proportioning is used in the construction
and designing of the Jharokhas and the facades.

a 3a/ a 3a/ a
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