Understanding Shekhawati Architecture and The Relationship of Space Around the Court

Abstract

India is a country with distinct traditional characteristics, ethics and social aspects. All the regions have varied architectural style that is defined on the basis of its climatic response, topography, rituals and heritage. “Traditional architecture is not concerned with historical styles, but with historical principles” (Lucein Steil; Tradition and Architecture). The modern architecture is connected to the roots of the traditional architecture in some or the other way because these traditional buildings reflect the social life of people and their culture. An understanding of architecture of Rajasthan has been tried to establish in this paper and the focus is done mainly on the architecture of traditional havelis of Shekhawati. These havelis have left an effect because of its construction techniques, spatial planning and culture defined through it. Hence, it is tried to understand how its characteristics have helped in defining and making of the haveli by also focussing its relation through the study of courtyard system.