Fatehpur, Rajasthan

For disambiguation, see Fatehpur (disambiguation).

Fatehpur
—  city  —
Fatehpur Location of Fatehpur in Rajasthan and India
Coordinates	27°59′N 74°57′E / 27.98°N 74.95°E / 27.98; 74.95Coordinates: 27°59′N 74°57′E / 27.98°N 74.95°E / 27.98; 74.95
Country	India
State	Rajasthan
District(s)	Sikar
Member of Legislative Assembly	Bhanvaru Khaan
Population	78,471 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 325 metres (1,066 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 332301 • Telephone • +01571

Fatehpur (Hindi: फतेहपुर शेखावाटी) is a town of Sikar district in Rajasthan, India. It is part of the Shekhawati region. It is midway between Jaipur and Bikaner on National Highway 11. Fatehpur is famous for grand havelis with frescos, which is a specialty of the Shekhawati region. A number of bawdis are also centres of attraction here.

History

The Muslim Kayamkhani Nawab, Fatehkhan established Fatehpur in 1451. He constructed the fort of Fatehpur in 1449 and ruled up to 1474.^[1] It served as the capital of Fateh Khan, the Muslim Nawab. Fatehkhan's eldest son was Jalalkhan, who founded the village Jalalsar 10 km south of Fatehpur. After death of Fatehkhan in 1474, Jalalkhan became the Nawab of Fatehpur. Jalakhan was a warrior and kind Nawab. He left the Fatehpur bid (forest land) for the purpose of grazing of animals.^[2]

Birania

Birania or Biraniya or Biraniyan (बिरानियाँ) is one of the largest village of Fatehpur Tehsil. It is located in the west, 12 km from Fatehpur. National Highway 11 passes about 11 km from the village. Adjoining villages are Karanga Bara, Karanga Chhota, Sulkhania, Rosawa, Kishanpura and Thathawata Piran. There are about 70 families of "Godara" Jats out of 500 families. There are about 200 families of Karwasra jats out of 500 families in the village. Karwasras in the village were migrated from Loha village of Churu district. The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. Some persons have gone to Arab countries for work. Birania is considered to be a progressive village of the region. The village has contributed significantly in education. As many as five well-known education institutes in Sikar district are run by noble persons from the village.

Garinda

Garinda is a village of Fatehpur Tehsil. Garinda's population is about 4,000, and it has a senior secondary school and two primary schools in Garinda. There are three temples and a mosque. Budhgiri ji ki mandi is most temple in south in Fatehpur. Dara jat is the most population in Garinda and Dhayal, Dhaka, Bagria, Khichar, etc. other Jat gotra in Garinda Garinda, Musleem Saleemkhani, Hushenkhani and Hathekhani and an other cast in Musleem and his inayat Minir Khan.

Geography

Fatehpur is located at 27°59′N 74°57′E / 27.98°N 74.95°E / 27.98; 74.95.^[3] It has an average elevation of 325 metres (1066 ft).

Attractions

Nadine Le Prince Cultural Centre

A beautiful haveli was purchased by French artist Nadine Le Prince. It was built in 1802 by a rich family of traders, the Deora, who were also officers at the court of the local Maharaja. Since 1999, Nadine Le Prince has entirely restored the palace and all the frescoes. She is also doing much to preserve and restore the heritage of havelis throughout Shekhawati, working with other associations to give the havelis a second life.

She has opened a cultural center, which she created to exhibit French and Indian modern artists, and to confront old and contemporary art. The Kala Dirga Gallery of Contemporary Art features pieces made by artists about India; the Saraswati Gallery covers traditional themes of Rajasthan, through painting. There are two little Tribal Art Galleries exhibiting the artistic work of tribes, as Patachitras and Madhubani. The aim of the project is to offer the visitor a large panorama of works and visions of India; the exhibited artists have very different origins: from France, from Jaipur Fine Art School and local Shekhawati painters.^[4]

Le Prince has also established a program of artists in residence and plans to organize other cultural events, such as dance and music shows, to make this enchanting palace become a lively place for art in all forms.

The Haveli

Though in an extreme state of deterioration, it has a rare depiction of an erotic painting.

The Jagannath Singhania Haveli

The Jagannath Singhania Haveli was constructed from 1857 to 1860. It's 50 feet tall and has some fine paintings of Radha and Krishna and shows some British men holding guns.

• It has a special nine-door room on the terrace which is open from all sides. There is air circulation from all sides and thus it remains cool naturally.
• Baithak: It has five doors which are exclusive to this haveli. Other baithaks in the region have three doors only.
• Bara dari: A baradari, in Persian and Moghul architecture, is a building or room with 12 doors designed to allow the free draught of air through it. Persons of repute used it as a venue for formal and informal settings in hot weather. It is also known as the ‘mehfil’ room. The men would occupy the base area. There is an exclusive provision made for the women to sit upstairs in privacy.
• Rangeen Kamra: It is also known as the colourful room. The specialty of this particular room is that it acts both as a secret chamber and is also renowned for its artistic beauty. The floors, walls as well as the ceilings are hand-painted depicting stories based on the life of Lord Krishna.
• Bhuran: It is also known as the underground safety room. It acts like a safe deposit valve which is closed from all sides.

The haveli has Naal on one side and Nohra on the other, which can be used as open space for parking, swimming pool and is large enough to construct the two together. The others havelis, which are notable are Harkishan Das Saraogi Haveli and Vishnunath Keria Haveli. The town has blessings of many religious mentors, it includes Dargah of Hazrat Nazmudin, Temple of Do-Janti Balaji Dham (which is famous for its exterior hand made stone bricks construction and in-side Lord Sun painting), etc. It has a few workshops which repair and create antique furniture and other stuff for sale.

File:Bhanwaru.jpg

View of a bawdi at Fatehpur, Shekhawati

References

1. ^ Kaimkhan Rasa, page 11
2. ^ Sahi Ram: Ek adhurī krānti, page 5
3. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Fatehpur
4. ^ Nadine Le Prince Cultural Centre