The Patwon Ji ki Haveli is an
interesting piece of Architecture and is the most important among the havelis
in Luxury Rajasthan Tours.
This is precisely because of two things, first that it was the first haveli
erected in Jaisalmer and second, that it is not a single haveli but a cluster
of 5 small havelis. The first among these havelis was commissioned and
constructed in the year 1805 by Guman Chand Patwa and is the biggest and the
most ostentatious. It is believed that Patwa was a rich man and was a renowned
trader of his time. He could afford and thus ordered the construction of
separate stories for each of his 5 sons. These were completed in the span of 50
years. All five houses were constructed in the first 60 years of the 19th
century.
The havelis are also known as the
'mansion of brocade merchants'. This name has been given probably because the
family dealt in threads of gold and silver used in embroidering dresses.
However, there are theories, which claim that these traders made considerable
amount of money in Opium smuggling and Money-lending.
This is the largest Haveli in Rajasthan Tours and
stands in a narrow lane. This haveli is presently occupied by the government,
which uses it for various purposes. The office of the Archeological Survey of
India and State art and craft department is situated in the haveli itself.
Nevertheless, even after these
encroachments and abuse you can find a good amount of paintings and
mirror-works on the wall.
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