The ghost towns of abandoned MANSIONS: Inside the bizarre Indian region where the rich built fabulous palaces - only to abandon them when big cities became more fashionable

  • The region of India was once millionaire's paradise, but is now a collection of ghost towns and villages
  • In the barren landscapes of Rajasthan's Thar Desert, Shekhawati was once home to India's billionaires
  • The location for business was ideal - Shekhawati was in the middle of an important cotton and spices
  • But by the 1950s, the rich had moved out to bigger cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and even abroad 

By John Hutchinson for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

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With opulent mansions adorned with lavish artwork, you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd entered the world of the rich and famous.

But this is Shekhawati, a region of India in the barren landscape of Rajasthan's Thar Desert that was once a millionaires' paradise, but is now a collection of ghost towns. 

Shekhawati was once home to India's super-rich, all eager to outdo one another and top the tree of lavishness. 

The location was perfect. The region was in the middle of an important trade route and in the 19th century it was home to more than 100 villages, along with 50 forts and palaces. 

And so the rich were attracted. Modest homes were soon turned into mansions, boasting opulent courtyards adorned with luxurious art.

But fast forward to the 1950s and the rich were tiring of their fantasy land. As big business moved to cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, and even abroad, so did the money, and Shekhawati's mansions were left to rot. But the buildings are so impressive that they've become popular with tourists, artists and photographers, keen to step back in time to a golden age.

Shekhwati, a region of India that was once a millionaires' paradise, became a ghost town after the rich moved out

Shekhwati, a region of India that was once a millionaires' paradise, became a ghost town after the rich moved out

Many of the mansions in Shekhwati still retain their air of glamour - but only just

Many of the mansions in Shekhwati still retain their air of glamour - but only just

The more successful the owner, the more extravagant the decor in their mansion

The more successful the owner, the more extravagant the decor in their mansion

The mansions had grand, stylish courtyards, where the rich could entertain friends as well as business associates

The mansions had grand, stylish courtyards, where the rich could entertain friends as well as business associates

Much of the art can still be enjoyed today, with photographers and artists keen visitors to the villages of Shekhawati

Much of the art can still be enjoyed today, with photographers and artists keen visitors to the villages of Shekhawati

While many of the glorious houses are beginning to fall into a serious state of disrepair, others still retain their luxury

While many of the glorious houses are beginning to fall into a serious state of disrepair, others still retain their luxury

Modest homes were soon turned into havelis, or mansions, adorned with luxurious art. This property is now owned by French artist Nadine Le Prince and is open to the public as a cultural centre

Modest homes were soon turned into havelis, or mansions, adorned with luxurious art. This property is now owned by French artist Nadine Le Prince and is open to the public as a cultural centre

Shekhawati was once home to India's billionaires, all eager to outdo one another and top the tree of lavishness

Shekhawati was once home to India's billionaires, all eager to outdo one another and top the tree of lavishness

The fading opulence of Shekhawati
The fading opulence of Shekhawati

Steeped in wealth and affluence, merchants in Shekhwati tried to outdo each other with ever more grand edifices 

The region flourished because it was a prime spot to trade cotton and spices. Plus, the rich were given tax breaks

The region flourished because it was a prime spot to trade cotton and spices. Plus, the rich were given tax breaks

In the 19th century Shekhawati was home to more than 100 villages, along with 50 forts and palaces

In the 19th century Shekhawati was home to more than 100 villages, along with 50 forts and palaces

The location was perfect as the region was in the middle of an important trade route, allowing businessmen to amass ever greater volumes of wealth

The location was perfect as the region was in the middle of an important trade route, allowing businessmen to amass ever greater volumes of wealth

Shekhawati is in a desert area of Rajasthan and has a special place in India's history

Shekhawati is in a desert area of Rajasthan and has a special place in India's history

Most of the buildings of the Shekhawati region were constructed between the 18th century and the early 20th century

Most of the buildings of the Shekhawati region were constructed between the 18th century and the early 20th century

This image shows just how ornate some of the interior designs in Shekhwati are. This mansion is adorned with intricate bird and tree patterns

This image shows just how ornate some of the interior designs in Shekhwati are. This mansion is adorned with intricate bird and tree patterns

The rich inhabitants of semi-arid Shekhawati eventually left for cities such as Mumbai and Delhi

The rich inhabitants of semi-arid Shekhawati eventually left for cities such as Mumbai and Delhi

Shekhawati is in India's north-west, just south of the ancient city of Jaipur

Shekhawati is in India's north-west, just south of the ancient city of Jaipur

 

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