Salim Singh Ki Haveli stands out even in a city full of ornate mansions. The lower floors rise quite narrowly from the street, but the upper storey suddenly flares out with an arched, peacock-shaped roofline and over 30 individually designed balconies, each with different jali work. From a distance the projecting top seems to float over the base. Inside, the rooms have low doorways, painted ceilings and carved stone pillars, while the views look towards the fort and bazaar. Its unusual outline, combined with legends about its ambitious owner, gives the haveli a slightly dramatic, mysterious aura.
About this place
History & highlights
The haveli in its present form was built around 1815 CE by Salim Singh, the powerful Diwan (prime minister) of Jaisalmer. He rebuilt and expanded an older 17th-century structure, pouring money into its distinctive upper storey and peacock-shaped roof. Local stories claim he wanted the haveli to rival or even reach the height of the royal palace, which angered the ruler and led to parts of the building being reduced – though this is more legend than documented fact. Folklore also links Salim Singh’s harsh tax policies and personal behaviour to the later decline of some nearby villages. Today, despite weathering and partial damage, the haveli is protected and open to visitors as one of Jaisalmer’s most idiosyncratic architectural landmarks.
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