Souvik Dasgupta
Google
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗸𝗶 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶 𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝗸𝗵𝗶 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺, 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 |
The Chanwar Palkiwalon ki Haveli, home to the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, is nestled in Amber, or Amer, a historic 11th-century military town that cascades down the rugged slopes from the Amber Palace and Fort in the Aravalli foothills. This 16th-century Rajput haveli mansion, built into the perimeter walls, holds a strategic location by the Kheri Gate, reflecting its importance in the fortified town.
Its original owner was likely a distinguished military leader who secured this area. However, when Raja Jai Singh moved his court to the new walled-city of Jaipur in 1727, the local population dwindled, and the town fell into decline.
After lying empty for over 400 years, the haveli was rescued from ruin when John Singh, a founder of Anokhi, purchased the property in 1989 and embarked on a four-year restoration project with architects Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri of Abhikram. Together, they demonstrated that traditional building methods, implemented by local craftsmen, could be a cost-effective means of preservation.
This outstanding restoration effort earned the haveli a UNESCO award for Cultural Conservation in 2000, celebrating the power of collaborative preservation efforts.
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The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing was founded by Rachel Bracken-Singh and her husband Pritam Singh. The 16th-century Chanwar Palkiwalon ki Haveli mansion was restored in the 1980s and 1990s using traditional methods and materials, earning a UNESCO award in 2000. The restored haveli was later converted into a museum showcasing hand block printing, with ongoing research and refinement of museum practices. The museum also engages with the local community, educating students and welcoming neighbors and craftsmen to experience the living history of textile heritage.