History of the silent havelis of Shekhawati in Rajasthan
The prosperity of Shekhawati's merchants was once reflected in the painted havelis they built in and around Nawalgarh, Mandawa, Jhunjhunu, Bissau, and Fatehpur in Rajasthan. The vast, frescoed havelis commissioned by Marwari traders testified to their wealth and access to imported luxury. Today, most stand silent, with owners long gone to big cities, leaving behind fading frescoes.