Bagore Ki Haveli
Bagore Ki Haveli is an ancient building that stands on the platform of Gangori Ghat in the vicinity of Pichola Lake. The splendid architecture of the mansion boasts of delicate carved work and excellent glass work. In the eighteenth century, Bagore Ki Haveli was built by Amir Chand Badwa, who was the Chief Minister at the Mewar Royal Court in earlier times. When Amar Badwa died, the building came under the possession of Mewar State.
In 1878, the Haveli made the abode to Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore, who further incorporated three stories to the main structure. Since that time, the mansion came to be known as Bagore Ki Haveli (Mansion of Bagore). The mansion that used to serve the royalty of Mewar was left vacant for around 50 years. During this long period of desertion, the building deteriorated to an extent. In 1986, the building was handed over to the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC).
From the very beginning, the West Zone Cultural Centre planned to renovate the haveli into a museum. To provide this building the same royal look, experts and members of the Royal family were consulted. The Haveli was restored in its old architectural style and a museum was set up in its complex. This museum portrays the patrician culture of Mewar. It has conserved the premium mural paintings of Rajasthan designed in Mewar. The museum also displays the costumes of the royal kings and modern art.
Here, you can trace the exclusive stuff of Rajputs like jewellery boxes, dice-games, hukkas, pan boxes, nut crackers, hand fans, rose water sprinklers, copper vessels and other items of the erstwhile rulers. The Queen's Chamber showcases fascinating original paintings of Mewar. Beautiful peacocks created with small pieces of colored glass captivate the onlooker with sheer admiration. Today, this grand building has more than 100 rooms with well-arranged balconies, terraces, courtyards and corridors.
The interiors of the Haveli are embellished with intricate and fine mirror work. While strolling in the Haveli, you can also see the private quarters of the royal ladies, their bath rooms, dressing rooms, bed rooms, living rooms, worship rooms and recreation rooms. In the evening, the haveli lightens and stages enjoyable performance of traditional dance and music of Rajasthan. The haveli looks marvelous with glowing lights in the night. Bagore Ki Haveli is a perfect place to explore the ancient architecture and life style of the royal family.
History of Bagore ki Haveli
Bagore ki Haveli was built by Amar Chand Badwa, who was the gallant and anointed Prime Minister of the Mewar kingdom during the rule of Maharanas Pratap Singh II, Raj Singh II, Ari Singh, and Hamir Singh for a long term between 1751 to 1778. After the death of Amar Chand Badwa, the haveli was passed on to the Mewar rulers who continued extending the architecture, design and area of the haveli. After almost a hundred years in 1878, the haveli was passed on to Maharaja Shakti Singh of Bagore who is credited with getting the gorgeous triple archway constructed. After the construction of the archway, the haveli came to be officially known as ‘Bagore ki Haveli’.
Up until 1947, the haveli was possessed by the Mewars but after independence, the building fell into the hands of the Rajasthan government who used it to house government officials. After neglect and degradation of the haveli for almost 40 years, the government decided to hand it over to West Zone Cultural Centre for restoration purposes.
It was after this handover that the haveli was converted into a museum. However, the original royal and grandiose look of the haveli was retained as was the gorgeous architecture and beautiful designs. For the same purpose, several royal Rajasthani families were consulted so that the haveli doesn’t lose its charm and glory. Even for the renovation, only premium quality construction was done with lakhori bricks and lime mortar. The original motifs, murals and frescoes were preserved, the damaged doors, windows and walls were repaired. And only the parts that were beyond repair were replaced.