Decline of havelis


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Decline of havelis

Decline of havelis: The Mughal aristocracy in the seventeenth and eighteenth century lived in grand mansions called havelis.

  • On entering the haveli through a beautiful gateway, you reached an open courtyard, surrounded by public rooms meant for visitors and business, used exclusively by males.
  • Rooms in the havelis had multiple uses, and very little by way of furniture.
  • Many of the Mughal amirs were unable to maintain these large establishments under conditions of British rule.
  • Havelis therefore began to be subdivided and sold. Often the street front of the havelis became shops or warehouses. Some havelis were taken over by the upcoming mercantile class, but many fell into decay and disuse.
  • The colonial bungalows being different from the havelis became popular as they were meant for nuclear families.
  •  It was a large single-storeyed structure, with a pitched roof.
  • The bungalow was usually set in one or two acres of open ground. Living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms were separate. The bungalow usually had a wide verandah in the front; and sometimes on three sides. A separate space from the main house was utilised to build kitchens, stables and servants’ quarters. Services of dozens of servants were taken to run the house. The women of the household usually sat on the verandah to supervise tailors or other tradesmen.

     
     


    Students / Parents Reviews [10]