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SHEKHAWATI
Shekhawati is a semi-arid historical region
located in the northeast part of Rajasthan, India. Shekhawati was established
by Shekhawat Rajputs and it was ruled by them till India's Independence.
Shekhawats were brave Rajputs; they established many Thikanas, towns and
villages in Shekhawati and built many Forts, Castles, palaces and Havelis. Many
Thikanas had their own flags and emblems. Shekhawats ruled over highest number
of Thikanas in Jaipur Rajwara. Every Thikana in Shekhawati is the site of the
Fort and Shekhawati was richest and the most happening place, thus Shekhawati
has more than 50 forts and Palaces built by Shekhawat Rajas. Many of them are
hotels nowadays. The towns of Shekhawati region are known for their painted
havelis. This region has been recognized as the "open art gallery of
Rajasthan" having the largest concentration of frescos in the world.
The Marwaris from Marwar was the
influential business community in the Shekhawati region, and they prospered
until the beginning of the 19th century, because of the caravan routes that
crossed the area to reach the ports of Gujarat. But from 1820 onwards, many
left their families behind and migrated to Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, which were gaining importance as main trade centers. There they had great
financial success. The descendants of these rich merchants have permanently
settled down in the towns where their ancestors immigrated. The Shekhawati
region has produced large number of Marwaris who are controlling the economy of
India. About 80 percent of big industrial houses are managed by Marwaris. India's richest industrialists of the century, such as the Birlas, are Marwaris. Today, the
main trading and industrial houses of India have their roots in Shekhawati.
The havelis are noted for their frescos
depicting mythological and historical themes. The frescos include images of
gods, goddesses, animals, life history of Lords Rama and Krishna, profusely
painted on the havelis in this region.
Some of the major towns and cities of the
Shekhawati region are : Mandawa, Nawalgarh, Fatehpur, Laxmangarh, Mukundgarh
which are famous for its fort and havelis with frescoes paintings.
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