SHEKHAWATI / MANDAWA

Shekhawati was once subordinate to Jaipur. It was fortunately located on
the caravan route from the Gujarat ports and from Central India to Delhi.
Trade in opium, cotton and spices flourished. The wealthy merchants built
palatial havelis or mansions for themselves and water reservoirs, temples
and caravanserais for the welfare of the people. Most of these buildings
are covered with frescoes painted between 1760 and 1920. Some of the rugged
forts are now well-stocked hotels of a rare medieval charm.