Photos: Rushing to save heritage havelis in Bikaner

Updated On Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

The resplendent mansions of Bikaner once hosted royalty and wealthy merchants passing through India's deserts with their caravans, but centuries later these bygone architectural masterpieces are crumbling. Made from distinctive red sandstone, these once grand residences known as 'havelis' were famed for their vivid facades engraved with intricate patterns.

Share Via

Copy Link

1 / 10

A man stands outside a haveli in the old quarters of Bikaner, in the state of Rajasthan. First built in the 15th century by Bikaner’s bygone aristocracy, many boasted multiple levels, large balconies, and grand rooms built around a central courtyard, enclosed to escape the summer heat. But after decades of neglect, a large number lie in ruins. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

A man stands outside a haveli in the old quarters of Bikaner, in the state of Rajasthan. First built in the 15th century by Bikaner’s bygone aristocracy, many boasted multiple levels, large balconies, and grand rooms built around a central courtyard, enclosed to escape the summer heat. But after decades of neglect, a large number lie in ruins. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

2 / 10

A scrap collector pushes his bike past the Rampuriya haveli in Bikaner. “Many havelis have vanished in front of our eyes,” said Gopal Singh, who runs heritage walks in Bikaner, adding that in its heyday, the city had more than 1000 such residences. “What exists is unique. Not just for its intricate architecture but just because of the overall concentration in one single place,” he explained. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

A scrap collector pushes his bike past the Rampuriya haveli in Bikaner. “Many havelis have vanished in front of our eyes,” said Gopal Singh, who runs heritage walks in Bikaner, adding that in its heyday, the city had more than 1000 such residences. “What exists is unique. Not just for its intricate architecture but just because of the overall concentration in one single place,” he explained. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

3 / 10

A woman stands outside the Rampuriya haveli. Such decay is not confined to Bikaner, with historic residences falling apart in other major Indian cities where the old quarters have been felled by rapid urban development. In India’s only UNESCO heritage listed city, Ahmedabad, efforts have been made to preserve the clusters of settlements identified as having huge historic value. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

A woman stands outside the Rampuriya haveli. Such decay is not confined to Bikaner, with historic residences falling apart in other major Indian cities where the old quarters have been felled by rapid urban development. In India’s only UNESCO heritage listed city, Ahmedabad, efforts have been made to preserve the clusters of settlements identified as having huge historic value. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

4 / 10

An elderly man sits outside a haveli in Bikaner. But there has been little cash or interest in saving the havelis of Bikaner, a once fabled desert outpost where the sands of Rajasthan skirt the city’s ramparts. Some 500 kilometres southwest of New Delhi, today it struggles to attract tourist interest and seems largely untouched by India’s recent economic success. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

An elderly man sits outside a haveli in Bikaner. But there has been little cash or interest in saving the havelis of Bikaner, a once fabled desert outpost where the sands of Rajasthan skirt the city’s ramparts. Some 500 kilometres southwest of New Delhi, today it struggles to attract tourist interest and seems largely untouched by India’s recent economic success. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

5 / 10

Some families have taken matters into their own hands, reconstructing the dilapidated manors and reinventing them as hotels and guesthouses. “We decided to open this so that others too can experience living in a haveli, and it becomes more manageable for us to maintain this huge property,” said Manisha Maloo, whose family manages a popular homestay in the old city. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

Some families have taken matters into their own hands, reconstructing the dilapidated manors and reinventing them as hotels and guesthouses. “We decided to open this so that others too can experience living in a haveli, and it becomes more manageable for us to maintain this huge property,” said Manisha Maloo, whose family manages a popular homestay in the old city. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

6 / 10

A lack of concern about proper preservation has been compounded by overcrowding, poor city planning, as well as inadequate drainage and waste disposal. “It has been a long struggle for us to get the public and government’s attention to the havelis of Bikaner,” said Singh. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

A lack of concern about proper preservation has been compounded by overcrowding, poor city planning, as well as inadequate drainage and waste disposal. “It has been a long struggle for us to get the public and government’s attention to the havelis of Bikaner,” said Singh. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

7 / 10

A few families still reside in their ancestral estates and invite tourists in so they can learn about the heritage and history of the area. “They come here and are so amazed and excited at the unique colours, heritage and design of our home,” said Rachna Mohta, who greets visitors on walking tours in Bikaner to her palatial 150-year-old haveli home. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

A few families still reside in their ancestral estates and invite tourists in so they can learn about the heritage and history of the area. “They come here and are so amazed and excited at the unique colours, heritage and design of our home,” said Rachna Mohta, who greets visitors on walking tours in Bikaner to her palatial 150-year-old haveli home. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

8 / 10

A girl makes a sketch as she sits outside a haveli. But maintaining the huge, creaking homes saps money and energy. Many buildings have collapsed from years of neglect; others hang on by a thread. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

A girl makes a sketch as she sits outside a haveli. But maintaining the huge, creaking homes saps money and energy. Many buildings have collapsed from years of neglect; others hang on by a thread. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

9 / 10

A waiter walks inside the dining room of the Bhanwar Niwas. “We opened our haveli for tourists as a way to better protect our heritage, and to let people live our ancestors’ experience,” Sunil Rampuria, whose family owns Bhanwar Niwas, one of the region’s grandest and earliest havelis converted into a hotel, told AFP. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

A waiter walks inside the dining room of the Bhanwar Niwas. “We opened our haveli for tourists as a way to better protect our heritage, and to let people live our ancestors’ experience,” Sunil Rampuria, whose family owns Bhanwar Niwas, one of the region’s grandest and earliest havelis converted into a hotel, told AFP. (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

10 / 10

A man looks out from a balcony at the Bhanwar Niwas. Singh warned that if action is not taken now to preserve and protect the houses, there will be nothing for future generations to see. He warned: “If things don’t change quickly, we may not have any of these havelis in two decades.” (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

Updated on Apr 09, 2019 04:59 pm IST

A man looks out from a balcony at the Bhanwar Niwas. Singh warned that if action is not taken now to preserve and protect the houses, there will be nothing for future generations to see. He warned: “If things don’t change quickly, we may not have any of these havelis in two decades.” (Chandan Khanna / AFP)

News / Photos / News / Photos: Rushing to save heritage havelis in Bikaner

SHARE

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Copyright © 2026 HT Digital Streams Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Your Subscription Plan

Saved Articles

Subscribe Now!

Follow Us On