Neemrana's Piramal Haveli

Before becoming one of India's most prominent business families, the Piramals were seths or honored people of Bagar, Rajasthan. Their ancestors migrated from another village named Makhar, and over generations, worked as traders and merchants. Seth Piramal Chaturbhuj Makharia gradually amassed a fortune by trading commodities like cotton, opium, and silver, and established the Piramal Group in 1920. As a seth, he contributed to the development of Bagar by building stepwells, temples, schools, and even a caravanserai for traveling traders. His name spread further as his wealth grew, eventually coming to the recognition of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur.

For the Maharaja's impending visit, Seth Piramal built a grand haveli and gate in 1928 that matched the eminence of his royal guest. Seth Piramal's dedication was personally rewarded by the Maharaja with a tazim anklet, a hereditary treasure given only to Rajasthani men of great honor. To continue Piramal's legacy, his descendants also adopted his name as their own.

Design and Architecture

Since Piramal Haveli was built in 1928, during the British Colonial Period, the estate's architecture and layout were heavily inspired by international styles, particularly Italy's palazzos. These elements are also apparent in the murals that commonly decorate Shekhawati havelis, though in the case here, they depict popular subjects in 1928 like airplanes and motor cars. The central garden is also done in a Western style with a fountain, instead of the usual Persian charbagh. The estate still retains core concepts of Rajasthani havelis, however, such as the airy open courtyards surrounded by pillars and verandahs.

The Piramal Gate serves as both the main entrance to the haveli as well as an important landmark in Bagar. It was built along with the haveli to welcome the visit of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur.

When it comes to Piramal Haveli's interior spaces, the overall design takes advantage of the building's architecture, such as the tall ceilings. For the common areas, these have been embellished with murals and other visual decor, while for accommodations, it retains its function of helping with air circulation. Another enhancement to the heritage aspects of the haveli is the use of antique and period-style furniture, creating an authentic and luxurious, yet also homey ambiance.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Like many communities in Shekhawati, the town of Bagar is home to havelis that were built by its most successful families. Travelers can find well-preserved estates like the Rungta Haveli, welcoming visitors who are there to admire the architecture and traditional mural paintings that are a hallmark of the region's havelis. Also nearby are infrastructure projects contributed by the town's seths, such as Fateh Sagar Bawdi, a small reservoir providing water for the neighborhood.

Not too far from Bagar is the city of Jhunjhunu, the administrative seat of the region. Here, you can find many heritage landmarks, including the Rani Sati Temple, Badal Garh, and Khetri Mahal.