Did you know that the Salim Singh ki Haveli in Jaisalmer city in Rajasthan, built in 1815 by the tyrranical Dewan Salim Singh, is architectural wonder with the top five stories richly decorated with lavishly carved overhanging rooftop balcony?
The Salim Singh ki Haveli in Jaisalmer city, Rajasthan, the tallest architecturally ornate stunning building in the sky line of the city, was built in 1815 AD, in the location of an older haveli, by then Dewan or Prime Minister Salim Singh to one of the Rajput princely state during Brtish raj.
History says that Dewan Salim Singh Mohta who built the haveli was tyrranical during his administration as his father had been murdered for opposing a Rajput prince of the state for not repaying a loan.. As Dewan of the state, Salim Singh imposed heavy taxation and also conducted extortion rackets and holding the royal family to ransom by raising interest rates on their loans.
The distinctive shaped haveli is narrow for the first few floors and then the top floor spreads out into a mass of lavishly carved and graceful arched baclonies surmounted by pale-blue cupolas. The beatifully arched roof has supreb carved brackets in the form of dancing peacocks. It was originally built with nine stories but the last two stories which were made of wood were pulled down so that the edifice was not taller than the palace of the Maharaja of Jaisalmer. Still an architectural wonder, the haveli has 38 balconies and is also populary known as the Jahazmahal (Ship stem palace). Each of the balconies have got their distinct shape. It is approached first through a welcom arch flanked by two elephants leading through narrow stairs to an open terrace with view on the upper floors, and then continued with stairs to the last floor. The walls and balconies are all covered with imperial paintings. There is also one more Mahal inside the Haveli, which is known as Moti Maghal where dances girls used to entertain the Royals of Jaislamer. The Haveli provides the best views of the famous Jaisalmer Fort.
The Haveli has been entirly built of yellowish sandstone, without the use of cement or mortar and has an exquisitely designed exterior. A part of the haveli is still occupied by the descendents of Salim Singh.
Narasipur Char
