Khetri Mahal
Khetri Mahal खेतड़ी महल | |
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![]() View of the Khetri Mahal, Jhunjhunu | |
![]() ![]() Location within Rajasthan | |
General information | |
Architectural style | Shekhawati Architecture |
Town or city | Jhunjhunu |
Country | India |
Coordinates | 28°07′27″N 75°23′54″E / 28.1242°N 75.3983°E |
Completed | 1770 |
Client | Maharaja Bhopal Singh |
Height | 73 m (240 ft) |
Khetri Mahal (Hindi: खेतड़ी महल ), also known as the Wind Palace, is a classic example of palace architecture in the state of Jhunjhunu. It is now a ruin, attracting tourists and locals alike.
History[]
Khetri Mahal was constructed by Bhopal Singh around 1770. Bhopal Singh was the grandson of Sardul Singh. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of Jaipur built his Hawa Mahal, also known as the Wind Palace, on the model of the Khetri Mahal, in 1799. Khetri in itself was considered to be the second wealthiest ‘Thikana’ under Jaipur.[1] Bhopal Singh was killed in the Second battle of Loharu, in which he tried to capture the Loharu Fort - one of 33 thikanas of Shekhawati ruler.[2] at the place where he was cremated in Loharu, ~1 km from Loharu Fort, a commemorative chhatri was built which still survives.
Between 1870 and 1901, Ajit Singh of Khetri reigned as a ruler of Shekhawat dynasty[3] of the Indian princely state of Khetri.
Architecture[]
Khetri Mahal is located behind a series of lanes. It is a paragon of Shekhawati art and architecture. It is primarily known for its fine paintings and murals mainly supporting the Raghunath temple and Bhopalgarh fort. The palace is remarkable among buildings of its region because of the flow of wind through its open portals rather than stopped windows or doors.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Khetri_Mahal_Jhunjhunu_A_Supreme_Design.jpg/220px-Khetri_Mahal_Jhunjhunu_A_Supreme_Design.jpg)
Wherever structurally possible, the walls have been pierced with arched openings. The levels of the Palace are combined through a series of ramps, installed to facilitate the movement of horseback guests toward the terrace, which gives commanding views.
Two small alcoves contain fragments of older paintings in the private chamber of Thakurs. Most of these paintings were executed in natural earth pigments. The interior rooms are open and colonnaded, the columns often surmounted with openwork and curved arches.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Beautiful_Architecture_Design_of_Khetri_Mahal.jpg/220px-Beautiful_Architecture_Design_of_Khetri_Mahal.jpg)
Most of the rooms are connected through arched portals rather than with doors, and much of the masonry is covered with a pinkish plaster.
One enters the palace via a student hostel at the base of the structure.
Gallery[]
Side View of Khetri Mahal
View of Badalgarh Fort from Khetri Mahal
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Rajasthan Tourism". Raj Tourism. Archived from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ^ inbaisnews (9 December 2021). "Shekhawati region: History, geography, education, culture". Inbais. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ inbaisnews (9 December 2021). "Shekhawati region: History, geography, education, culture". Inbais. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Khetri Mahal. |
- Rajput architecture
- Palaces in Rajasthan
- Jhunjhunu district
- Rajasthani culture