Salim Singh ki Haveli

The peacock-roofed haveli

Salim Singh ki Haveli stands near the eastern side of the fort, and you can spot it from a distance by its unusual top floor. The upper storeys flare outwards, supported by carved brackets, and the roof is topped with arched, blue-tinted domes. The brackets are shaped like peacocks, which gives the house its common nickname. Locals sometimes call the top floor Moti Mahal.

The minister and the legend

The haveli is usually dated to around 1815, though some accounts place parts of it earlier, in the 18th century. It is linked to Salim Singh, a powerful prime minister of the Jaisalmer state at the time. Popular stories say he wanted his house to be as tall as the palace in the fort, and that the ruler objected, so the top floors were cut back. Treat this as a story rather than a record.

Salim Singh is also the villain of the best-known local legend. It is said that his demands on the Paliwal Brahmin villagers of Kuldhara and nearby villages drove them to abandon their homes overnight. Historians point to other possible causes, such as heavy taxes, drought and falling trade, so this is a legend rather than settled history. Our Kuldhara story guide looks at the different versions.

What to see

From the lane

Start outside and look up. The contrast between the narrow lower floors and the wide, heavily carved upper storeys is striking. Count the peacock brackets under the overhang and notice how every window and balcony is different.

Inside

The house is privately owned and visitors pay a modest ticket, about ~₹20 for Indian visitors and ~₹100 for foreign visitors, with a camera fee of about ~₹50. It usually opens about 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The interior is less restored than the museum at Patwon ki Haveli, but you can climb through several floors and see painted walls and carved rooms. Upper balconies are sometimes closed for repair, so what you can reach may vary.

The view back to the fort

From the higher floors, when open, you get a close view of the fort walls, which helps explain why the height of this house was such a sensitive matter.

Photography and combining

Morning is usually the best time: the light is softer and the lane is quieter. The peacock brackets are high up, so a zoom or a phone with a telephoto lens helps. The lane in front is tight, so step to the side for passing motorbikes.

Salim Singh ki Haveli is close to the fort, and a short walk from Patwon ki Haveli and Nathmal ki Haveli, so most visitors see all three havelis in one morning. If the Kuldhara legend catches your interest, you can drive out to the village later the same day; our itinerary guide shows how to pair it with a desert evening.

Practical notes

The approach is through busy old-city lanes, so walking is easier than trying to bring a car close. Auto-rickshaws can drop you nearby. Inside, floors are uneven and staircases are steep and dark in places, so this visit suits confident walkers better than small children or anyone with limited mobility. There are no cafés in the haveli itself, but plenty of tea stalls and rooftop restaurants a few minutes away.

Because the building is privately owned and ageing, sections may be roped off. That is a sign of repair work rather than anything to worry about. If you want the full background on the ministers, merchants and rulers of the period, a licensed city guide can add a great deal, and our Jaisalmer history guide is a good primer before you go.