Haveli in Nawalgargh, Shekhawati region, Rajasthan, 2018 (photo)

The havelis of the Shekhawati region were built by Mawari merchants from the late 18th to the early 20th Centuries. Blending the architectural styles of Rajput and Islamic forms they typically consisted of two courtyards with adjoining rooms; the ‘mardana’, the entrance / reception courtyard used by the men and an inner courtyard, ‘zenana’, used by the women. The tall construction provided shade and allowed for air-circulation and light. Staircases led to upper gallery bedrooms. The painted murals typically depicted floral and animal images or religious scenes and iconography, such as tales from Lord Krishna and Rama, or portraits of local royalty and rulers. Many havelis lie in various states of disrepair, whilst some have become hotels or museums.