Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s2.t1.43

c7.s2.t1.43

*The houses of Nobels.*—There is comparatively little information about the mansions (*havailis*) of the nobility. It appears, however, that they were built on the plan of the royal buildings. There was comparatively more security for the nobles than for the monarchs, which was reflected in better repose and composure in the homes of the former. The mansions of the nobles were big buildings with spacious apartments. There were drawing Rooms, baths, sometimes a water-tank, a spacious courtyard, and even a library. Separate apartments were assigned for the use of the ladies of the haram. The drawing rooms were sometimes decorated with costly hangings and beautiful curtains.² The walls of the houses of the richer Hindu classes were probably painted and white-washed and the doors were of ornamental wood-work.³ Some references are found about the houses of upper classes in Bengal and Gujarat. The Bengal houses were conspicuous for the construction of a tank on one side of the house, an orchard on the other, bamboo groves on the third side, and open spaces on the fourth.⁴ The houses of Orissa were spacious and tall structures with orchards of fruit trees and plots of land for purposes of cultivation.⁵ Gujarat was similarly a very advanced country in respect of house-construction. Cambay was ‘a most excellent city’. People of Khambayat had ‘many vegetable and fruit gardens and orchards which they used for their pleasures’. Champanir and Ahmadabad came into prominence at the close of our period. There were fine houses with big courtyards, tanks and wells of sweet water, all made of stone in both the cities.¹ Marwari merchants of those days were very fond of bathing and constructed many water-tanks in their houses in addition to the usual orchards and gardens.²