Kothari's Patwon ki Haveli Museum
| Place | Jaisalmer |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | Not Available |
| Museum Type | Historic House and Ethnographic Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | No. 3129, Opposite Choora Paada, Rajasthan 345001 |
| Visiting Time | 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM (Open daily) |
| Entry Fee | Indian Adults: ₹150 Foreigners: ₹300 |
Museum Introduction
Kothari's Patwon ki Haveli is the first and most palatial of a cluster of five mansions built between 1805 and 1860 by the wealthy merchant Guman Chand Patwa for his five sons. After the family's fortunes declined, this specific haveli was purchased and meticulously restored by the Kothari family, who converted it into a private museum. The structure is a masterpiece of "Jaisalmer style" architecture, constructed entirely of yellow sandstone with intricate filigree work, intended to showcase the affluence of the Jain merchant class during the 19th century.
General Collections
The museum recreates the 19th-century lifestyle of Jaisalmer’s elite traders through themed rooms including the Diwan-khana (living room), Zenana (women's quarters), a traditional kitchen, and a dressing room. The collection features antique furniture, copper and brass utensils, embroidered textiles, and a specialized gallery of ethnic turbans from different regions of Rajasthan.
Unique Historical Collections
Highlights include 19th-century hidden safes and secret wall niches used by merchants to stash gold and opium, and a rare collection of Belgian glass used in the lattices. The museum also displays authentic Brocade (Patwa) work gold and silver thread embroidery which was the source of the family's original wealth. The Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Room) within the haveli features a ceiling of vibrant mirror mosaics that represent a fusion of Rajput and Mughal artistry.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | Kothari's Patwon ki Haveli is architecturally designed as a "climatic responder," featuring over 60 intricately carved jharokhas (balconies) and stone jaali screens that provide passive cooling against the Thar Desert heat. The museum is unique for being a "living" history site where the Kothari family has preserved not just the structure, but the functional interior artifacts in their original context. Visitors often mistake the government-owned sections of the complex for the museum, but Haveli #1 (Kothari's) remains the most comprehensively furnished and well-documented section for researchers. |
| Artifacts | Opium-weighing scales; Hand-painted ceramic tiles; Traditional board games and chess sets; Sitar and other musical instruments; Vintage wooden cradles; Large storage jars for grains; Silk-route trade ledgers. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 98281 45552 |
| Email ID | info@patwahaveli.com |
Artifact Gallery
