Place · Jaisalmer haveli · India
Nathmal ki Haveli, Jaisalmer
Also known as Hathi Haveli, Nathmal Haveli
The late 19th-century Nathmal ki Haveli at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, built in 1885 for Nathmal, Diwan of Jaisalmer state under Maharawal Bairisal Singh. The haveli is famed for its distinctive asymmetrical facade, said to have been carved by two Muslim brothers (Hathi and Lulu) working independently on the left and right halves — producing a near-mirror but subtly different sandstone-carved facade that is one of Jaisalmer's architectural marvels. The two elephant sculptures flanking the main entrance give the haveli its popular 'Hathi' name. The haveli's interior preserves traditional Marwari painted murals and Persian miniatures. ASI protection since 1982; private family-residence with limited public access.
- Function
- Authority & administration
- Patron dynasty
- Jaisalmer princely state
- Confidence
- Established / referenced
- Location
- 26.914, 70.912
Connections (3)
- Site withinJaisalmer Fort
The 1885 Nathmal ki Haveli sits within the Jaisalmer old city, 400 metres east of the Jaisalmer Fort's First Fort Gate. Built by Diwan Nathmal under Maharawal Bairisal Singh, the haveli's asymmetrical facade carved independently by the two brothers Hathi and Lulu is one of Jaisalmer's architectural signatures, part of the Jaisalmer-fort-and-haveli ensemble alongside Patwon ki Haveli and Salim Singh ki Haveli.
- Companion in the same setSalim Singh ki Haveli, Jaisalmer
Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmal ki Haveli were both built as residences of Jaisalmer state's Diwans — Salim Singh Mehta in the late 18th century and Nathmal in 1885. Though separated by nearly a century, they share the same yellow-sandstone jaali-carved architectural idiom and together with Patwon ki Haveli constitute the three iconic havelis of historic Jaisalmer.
- Companion in the same setPatwon ki Haveli, Jaisalmer
Patwon ki Haveli (1805-1860) and Nathmal ki Haveli (1885) together with Salim Singh ki Haveli (late 18th century) form the three iconic havelis of historic Jaisalmer. All three were built within the old city 300-500 metres east of the Jaisalmer Fort gate, in the same sandstone-carved jaali idiom that remains Jaisalmer's architectural signature.
Sources
Standard reference; ASI records.
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