Shekawati - Rajasthan
Land of Business Maharajas. Shekawati as described by lonely planet is called an "Open Art Gallery" lives up to its name.
This region is also called as 'Marwad' region, from where marwari's originated. Almost all successful and large business families originated from this region (that has couple of districts).
One of the main district is Jhunjhunu (village of Jhunjhunwalas). It has several towns such as Mandawa, Singhana (town of Shinghanias), Nawalgarh (town of Podars) etc.
All these towns have 200-250 year old havelis owned by these business families. The older generations were mostly finance managers of then rulers and rajputs and have since then developed account management, trading acumen and have passed onto to their generations.
Even today Agrawals, Mittals and Sarafs prefer to work in investment banking and other finance related roles.
Most families in late 19th and 20th Century were traders (jute, sugar, spices and even opium) and have accumulated enormous wealth over centuries. During british raj these business men travelled to various parts of India to cities like Calcutta, Delhi and Mumbai and established industries and are India's largest business houses.
Towns and Havelis
Mandawa - Goenka and Ladia Havelis, it also has one of the most significant fort called Mandawa fort.
Nawalgarh - Podar and Saraf Haweli (which is now converted into museum)
This is the Podar Haweli
An old mandir on route.
People had so much money that they had painted their havelis with GOLD. (see the gold plated cieling in one of the Goenka's haweli.
There are many more snaps of Forts aand hawelis which i'll upload later.
