Haveli
Haveli is the term used for a building of personal residence in Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. The word haveli is of Persian origin, meaning "an enclosed place".
Between 1830 and 1930, Marwaris erected buildings in their homeland, Shekhawati, as evidence of their success. These buildings were called Havelis. The Marwaris commissioned artists to paint those buildings.
The havelis were the symbol of the status of the Marwaris and a home for their extended family, providing security and comfort in a style. The havelis used to be closed from all sides with one big strong main gate. Secluded from the outside world the havelis set their own pace of life.
The typical havelis in Shekhawati consisted of two courtyards — an outer one for the men which serves as an extended threshold and the inner one, the domain of the women. The biggest ones sometimes had three or four courtyards and two to three stories high. Most of the havelis are empty nowadays or just give a shelter to an old watchman.