HERITAGE

The Havelis
of Hadauti
Shikha Jain

adauti is one of the lesser explored
A series of articles
on the ‘havelis’ of
Rajasthan.
H regions of Rajasthan, historically
ruled by the Hada clan of Rajputs.
It gets the name 'Hadavati or Hadauti' from
the Hada clan of Rajputs who gained con-
trol of the region from the local Bhil and
Meena tribes in the 13th-14th centuries.
The present day region comprises of four
districts ie. Bundi, Kota, Jhalawar and
Baran. The significant historic towns in the
region include Bundi, Kota, Jhala war and
Jhalrapatan.
The exquisite valley town of Bundi
was the first capital of Hadauti in the
14th century. The capital was shifted to
Kota in the early 17th century. The
urban morphology of the hill and valley
towns of Bundi and Kota responds to
the topography and shows winding
streets on slopes and irregular plots
with angles while the post 18th century
mercantile settlements like Jhalawar
and Jhalrapatan on the plains have well
defined square or rectangular plots

48 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People October 2007


akin to Jaipur town planning. This
article provides a brief overview of each
town by presenting the unique
planning and architecture of the
important havelis.
BUNDI HAVELIS
This medieval township strategically
located in a valley is named after Bunda
-a Mina chieftain who found the place
in 1342 A.D. The town came under the
Hada Rajputs in The fort is an architec-
tural landmark and the walled town
below housing several bavdis and
havelis is four gateways - Bhairon Gate
on West, Chogan gate in South,
Patanpol on East and Sehkul Baori gate
on North.
On of the grandest haveli in the town
is the Bhawani Singh ki Haveli in Nahar Ka
Chautta area. It is a 17th century Rajput,
asymmetric, multi court haveli that
belongs to the extended royal family of
Bundi. The haveli is monumental in scale
with five storeys and a basement. The
center of the forecourt has a masjid and a
Shiva temple is located on the top floor.
The haveli is representative of the local
architecture in stone columns and brack-
ets, triple arched projected jharokhas and
lime plastered masonry. Large portions of
the haveli lie locked and one part
(mardana section) is currently being used
as a school.
Another important Haveli in the town
is from 19th century and belonged to the
famous court poet Suryamal Mishran.
This single court haveli though smaller in
scale is significant because of its architec-
tural details and its historic associations.
INTACH has worked on a comprehensive
documentation and conservation pro-
posal for the havelis.
It is difficult to singularly identify
havelis in Bundi as the entire town is dot-
ted with small houses and havelis exhibit-
ing interesting architectural features.
Meghawan ji ki Haveli in Blachandpara
area is an 18th century single court haveli
with an orchard in the back overlooking
the lake. The haveli has a basement which
was used for parking rath in the earlier
times. The first floor has a room with wall
paintings, though they seem to be of a
later period and do not match upto the
unique Bundi style of paintings.. The
Street View, Bundi
haveli is used as a guest house, office and
residence. The Haveli of Braj Bhushanji
built in early 19th century belongs to a
family which gave the state of Bundi
about four Prime Ministers - all in the 19th
century. The Haveli is situated on the road
leading up to the palace.
KOTA HAVELIS
Located on the fertile plains of the east-
ern bank of river Chambal at the edge of
the Malwa plateau, Kota was an ideal
choice for a new town in the 17th centu-
ry. It was founded in 1631 when Rao
Madho Singh, the second son of Rao
Ratan of Bundi was given this area. It
flourished and soon outgrew its parent
city of Bundi. The walled town of Kota has
similar settlement characteristics as
Bundi though not as picturesque as the
earlier capital. Some of the important
havelis are described here.
The Bade Devta ji ki Haveli built
around 1838 AD is strategically posi-
tioned near the Palace and overlooks the
Chambal river. It belongs to the
Rajpurohit of the Kota ruler who was
addressed with the title of Bade Devta
(Big Demi-God) as he looked like a demi-
god. The origin of this Brahmin family
October 2007 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 49
Bhawani Singh Haveli- Forecourt view 2
was from the northern region of Kashmir.
Three brothers of the family are still
residing in the haveli and the traditional
rajtilak of the Rajput ruler family is still
done by the oldest son of this family. The
haveli was built in three phases. An inter-
esting bridge (like the Chahtta found in
old houses of Madhya Pradesh region)
links the terrace of the adjoining extend-
ed haveli called Bade Devta ka Nohra.
The inner room on the first floor of this
haveli has very interesting paintings of
Kota-Bundi style. The Nohra in the
annexe area was built later to accommo-
date the family of one of the brothers of
Bade Devta. Currently this potion is rent-
ed out to a school.
The Zalim Singh Jhala House is a
magnificent Rajput palatial haveli with
several courts. This huge fortress like
haveli belongs to the family of Zalim
Singh Jhala - the founder of Jhalawar. The
haveli is locked to a large extent and
deteriorating with few portions being
used as government offices. It again has
significant paintings in several areas. The
walled town of Kota also houses the
Daan Malji Bapna Haveli, belonging to a
Marwari Nagar seth who are descen-
50 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People October 2007
Street View, Bundi
dents from the renowned Patwa family of
Jaisalmer. Several temple havelis are also
present with the most architecturally sig-
nificant being the Chote Mathuradheesh
ki Haveli. The ground floor is used as a
temple and the upper floors as resi-
dences. The Chabrawalon ki Haveli
belonged to KeshoRamji who was a
mahajan jagirdar. He held an imortant
post with the ruling family. His descen-
dents are still residing in the haveli. The
haveli was constructed in late 19th cen-
tury. The family belonged to a small vil-
lage called Chabra from where they
moved to Shergarh and finally to Kota.
JHALAWAR HAVELIS
During the Mughal period Jhalawar was
included in the Subah of Malwa and
Raghav Dev Jhala received this pargana
in jagir in 1420 A.D. It literally means
the land of 'Jhalas' who were the ruling
Rajput clan. Jhalawar region was
formed as a separate principality from
Kota by the descendents of Zalim Singh
in 1838 A.D. It was linked with the rulers
of Kota from 1801-1838 A.D. Although
now it is categorized in the Hadoti
region with Kota and Bundi, but the
Street in Bundi
locals still identify themselves with
regions of Malwa.
The city of Jhalawar was formerly
called Brij Nagar. It houses the City Palace
and Rang Mahal and a number of inter-
esting havelis. The principal entrance of
the Palace is in the center of eastern side,
approached by a principal street or
Bazzar running on the East -West axis.
The walled town has few important
havelis like the Chatra Bhavan, Jhala Haveli
and Bohron Ki Haveli. Shri Chatra Bhavan
belonged to the Chatra Sal Singh Jhala
from the royal family of Jhalas. Unlike,
most Rajput havelis found in Rajasthan,
this is a single court haveli with kitchen
located on the first floor. The remnants of
kitchen such as the 'okhli' for making
'masala' (spices) are still evident on the first
floor. A well is located in the annexe area at
back of the haveli. Another haveli belong-
ing to the family of Jhala Rajputs is the
Jhala Haveli. They served as aides to the
ruler and were known as saath khazis. The
haveli was built in 1840 A.D. For sometime
the haveli was occupied by Fauz Bakshi (a
Muslim Commander) who made a masjid
there. The family had moved from Kota to
Jhlrapatan and finally to Jhalawar. Their kul
devi shrine (Bishat Mata) is located in
Jhalrapatan.
Bohron ki Haveli owned by Gujrati
Brahmins is an interesting variation in
the Rajasthan Haveli types. The haveli
was donated by the ruler of Jhalawar. It is
a unique haveli complex with a well in
the forecourt. The inner courtyard had a
temple. The family still resides in the
haveli and follows all traditions including
the performance of all Hindu fire rituals
suchas weddings etc. in the inner zenana
courtyard of the Haveli. The wedding
mandap is still created made in the cen-
ter of the inner chowk. Truly, the havelis
of Jhalawar retain their authenticity of
material and lifestyle and provide useful
insight into the traditional usage of
haveli types.
JHALARAPATAN HAVELIS
This town was established by Zalim Singh
in 1796 A.D. about half mile North of the
ruins of old town that was destroyed by
Aurangzeb. The dressed stone from the
ruins was used to build the houses. To
encourage habitation, Zalim Singh had a
large stone tablet erected in the center of
the main bazzar. The tablet had an
engraving saying that whoever settled in
the town would be excused payment of
customs and that any settler convicted of
a crime would not receive punishment
exceeding a fine of Rs. 1-4. These terms
attracted traders from Marwar and Kota.
(Gazetteer 1964) The present city is locat-
ed at the foot of a low range of hills run-
ning from southeast to north west.
Drainage from these hills to the north of
town is collected from Gomti Sagar Lake.
Except on the lakeside, the city is protect-
ed by masonry walls of red sandstone.
Maanmalji Saraf Haveli is one of the
first haveli in Patan built in 1796 A.D. The
single court haveli has interesting niche
storage details for keeping jewelry and a
double basement accessed from the
floor. The old city also has the Vinodi Ram
Balchand Haveli as a grand two court
haveli that belongs to the family of
Nagarseth. The haveli has around 200
rooms and was built around 1800 A.D.
Ujaainwalon ki Haveli is a single court
haveli with a big hall on second floor hav-
ing a wooden ceiling. Kitchen is located
on the first floor. The mortar used was a
mix with local sand and was called 'gaara'.
Nemichand Chandwal Haveli is an old
Jain Haveli with good architectural
details.
Bapna Haveli is the most significant
haveli in terms of historic links. The family
history can be traced back to the owners
of the famous Patwon ki Haveli in
Jaisalmer. The haveli belongs to one of
the five sons, (Sawai Ram ji dada) of
Patwa family who settled in Jhalawar to
continue trade in opium. About 200 years
old accounts (bahiya) of the trade are still
present with the owner of this haveli. The
haveli has unique architectural details -
the rear wall thickness is about 3 feet and
the front wall is 1'6" thick. The niches have
hidden storage areas. A temple is located
on the terrace. The havelis exhibits an
interesting façade. The central jharokha in
the front facade is made in Jaisalmer
stone and was brought from Jaisalmer
during the construction of the haveli so
that the local craftsmen could carve simi-
lar details on the two side jharokhas
made in local red sandstone. The family
also exemplifies the continuity of the
marriage rituals where the bride-groom
are made to sit on the auspicious man-
dana pattern in the court.
SIMILARITIES WITH
NEIGHBORING MADHYA
PRADESH
This region shared its boundary with the
Mughal subah of Malwa. Hence identities
can be established in the architectural
vocabulary found in the towns of Gwalior,
Datia, Orcha and Bhopal in the present
Madhya Pradesh with the towns of
Hadauti region. The medieval towns of
Bundi and Kota in Hadauti region show
irregular plots with angles, responding to
site topography whereas the post Jaipur
mercantile settlements like Jhalawar and
Jhalrapatan have square or rectangular
plots. Hadoti region shows the simplest
of façades with minimal aediclues and
less ornamentation. In later havelis of
Bundi and Kota, an increase in the aedi-
uclar density is observed. But in most
cases, the façades correspond to the
Rajput spatial planning, asymmetric kind
in Bundi and Kota and the regular, sym-
metric kind in Jhalawar and Jhalrapatan.
The havelis are of stone with carved jalis
of red sandstone in the towns of Jhalawar
and Jhalrapatan. Decorative finishes in
Bundi and Kota includes wall paintings.
The façades of Hadoti area show both
simple and composite projected
aedicules with rectangular and chatri
frames. The façades in Bhopal havelis
show composite chatri aedicules and
pointed Islamic arches at entrances.
Stone and brick masonry in lime mortar is
found in this region. Havelis of adjoining
areas in Madhya Pradesh are also of stone
ashlar and bricks. Use of red sandstone is
prevalent in Hadauti region as well as
neighboring towns of Madhya Pradesh.
Roofing material is also similar in these
areas as timber planks or stone slabs.
REFERENCES:
Jain, Shikha.(2005). Havelis: A Living
Tradition of Rajasthan. Shubhi
Publications
Hooja, Rima (2006). History of Rajasthan.
Roopa & Co. ■
Shikha Jain is Director, DRON-
AH and Chief Editor of Context:
Built , Living and Natural. This
article is an excerpt from her
doctoral research and fieldwork in
Rajasthan.
Photographs: Courtesy the Author.
October 2007 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 51