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The main gate or street
of the haveli is sealed by massive iron-reinforced gate locally
known as Darujo. The hindges of the gates are supported on stone
pillars know as Kulli. But this is generally locked. The haveli
has only a single main entry and no subsidiary entry has been
provided. Only NORA and NAAL or the service courtyard has a
separate entry for it.
The forecourt or ‘Mardana’ is accessible to all visitors
measuring an area of 540 sq. ft., which has two baithaks, one parindas (water storage rooms),
store rooms and two
staircases which lead to mazzanine floors and terrace.
At one end of the forecourt, opposite the gate is the entrance
to the inner sanctum. Steps lead up to the door, which is set
back in a cupped archway. The door frame is made up of finely
carved wood.
The door passes into a vaulted, domed porch. Ahead stands a
blank wall, protecting the privacy of the womenfolk. This
pierced by a little window, serving as the peep hole in an urban
door might, there is then a open courtyard called inner
courtyard or the 'Zenana'.
The haveli also has a pair of kitchen (Rasoro or Rassoi) and
three arched ‘tibari’ which onward gave rooms that were used
either for sleeping i.e. bedrooms known as ‘chogra’ or for
storage. The kitchens are having corner positions with a parinda
close by. Rest all the rooms on the ground floor are approached
through the pavement which themselves acted as dinning and
drawing rooms.
Architectural Details>> |