This is a semi desert region in north
Rajasthan and it is situated entirely in the triangle between Delhi-Bikaner-Jaipur.
Shekhawati is a region and not just a town or fort; it takes its name after
its ruler Rao Shekha. Shekhawati means the garden of Shekha. The towns of Shekhawati
are eminent for their amazing painted havelis. Such is the appeal of the havelis
that this region is dubbed as "open art gallery of Rajasthan".
The plethora of painted Havelis in rich artistic tradition makes it commendable
and fascinating. Most of the buildings are dated from 18th century to early
20th century. The Shekhawati landscape is dotted with so many havelis that tracking
them is something like a treasure hunt. Various forms of fine art adorn the
walls and the ceilings of these structures, complimenting the otherwise flat
and barren land. The havelis are noted for their frescos depicting mythological
themes and that of huge animals.
Some later day frescos shows the arrival of the British and highlighting steam
locomotives and train doubtlessly for the benefit of those members of the household
who did not travel to distance places by train or see this newly introduced
mode of transport.
There are also forts, minor castles, mosques, wells called baoris and chattris
to discover. The Rajputs mostly depicted the themes of historical events, personages'
folk-heroes and the prominent war scenes, while the Marwaris concentrated more
on religious themes but with the passage of time the themes too began to divert
towards the modern views. At the decline of Mughal Empire after the death of
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 the descendants of Rao Shekha encroached upon
areas west of Aravali Range also.
The chieftains of the region retained nominal loyalty to Amber, who in turn
honoured them with the title of 'tazmi sardars'. It was probably this exposure
to the courts of Jaipur that encouraged these thakurs initiate their great succession
of fresco. By the beginning of the nineteenth century British had established
major ports at Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Bombay (now Mumbai) that were able
to handle larger volumes of trade than ports in Gujarat.
Moreover with Jaipur reducing its levies the Shekhawati route was almost abandoned
by traders. However the Shekhawati merchants who were seasoned businessmen migrated
en masse to the more lucrative centres of Calcutta and Bombay. Here they earned
unparallel wealth and send huge sums home, which were used for building havelis,
social welfare, wells, reservoirs, schools etc.
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