|
Shekhavati
was made into an independent
kingdom in 1471 by Rao Shekha
(1433-1488), till 1738, when it
reverted back to the Jaipur
State. This region of the
painted havelis (mansions) of
the Marwaris, the trading
community of Rajasthan who, from
1820 onwards migrated to the
ports of Calcutta and Bombay,
amassed huge fortunes, and
control virtually every sector
of the modern Indian economy.
The Piramal Haveli in Bazar,
Shekhavati, has traditional
courtyards enclosed by colonial
pillared corridors. Frescoes of
flying angels and gods in motor
cars adorn the walls. Serving
the famed local vegetarian
cuisine, it was the home of Seth
Piramal Chaturbhuj Makharia
(1892-1958) whose fortune was
made in Bombay, trading cotton,
opium, silver and other
commodities.
|