A house is not just a witness to man’s lifestyle and its changes but can also be the link to our lost history, a rich source of information. Several such houses can be found in North-Eastern Karnataka.

Khajana Goudara Daulat Mahal in Raichur City is a testimony to the life and struggles of people of the region, right from the last decade of the 18th century up to Independence. The Mahal is a record of the social conditions as well as the emotional state of people during the rule of the Nizams of Hyderabad.

The ancestors of Khajana Gouda were toddy tappers, hailing from Manasagal village in present-day Deodurg Taluk. Several vows to the presiding deity of the House, Sri Ranganatha of Jalahalli had not yielded any offspring to Narasana Gouda. Desperate, he sought the blessings of saint Khwaja Bande Nawaz Geru Sardar of Kalburgi (Gulbarga) and was blessed by a son, whom he named Khajana Gouda.

Khajana Gouda’s Mahal is not just unique as its builder/owner but simply fabulous! Situated on the eastern side of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road in Maddipet area, the structure seems to be a time capsule of the entire State. Varied design in structure, wooden sculptures, murals in plaster - the Mahal reveals the lifestyle of people who lived two centuries ago, their refined tastes, desires and aspirations.

Ballad singer Kumbara Gundappajja, under the name of  Shalivahana, described the Mahal in a 12-line ballad which gave the following details: “The Mahal was built mainly to aid Khajana Gouda’s business interests. As the toddy contractor of 14 districts under the erstwhile Hyderabad administration, Khajana Gouda required an appropriate administrative office. He built the Mahal to suit the bifurcation of his administration.”
Seven lawyers, five accountants and over 20 servants looked after the administrative complex-cum-guest house which had more than 40 rooms. Those who worked in the office, also lodged here.

The east-facing Mahal measures 80.10 ft in the east and west, while the width is 70 ft. The projected dais outside the house which is nine ankanas large (an old measurement) surrounds the main door. This dais also supports four square pillars. These pillars have wooden beams (melu bodige and nagavandige) measuring 10 ft in length and running towards east and west. These beams support the second storey.

Entering the Mahal is like entering a dreamland. One comes across an open court surrounded by 16 square pillars. Sunshine and air from the roof above the third storey fill the entire house. This courtyard opens up to the inner rooms. There are mini staircases each at the northern and southern side. What sets this house apart from the rest is the way weight is distributed evenly.

The thickness of the wall has not changed anywhere and is 55 ft high in places! It is evident that the Mahal was specially planned, keeping in mind the scorching heat in Raichur.

Each room has a special lattice window, constructed from stone and brick pieces held together by mortar. These windows have been fit into smooth stone slabs which have been drilled into shape.

Apart from an East-facing door, Khajana Gouda's Mahal is not particular about vaastu. The plaster is made from a mixture of small sand particles, aloe vera, old jaggery and several strands of fibre which have been fermented for 21 days before being ground by a huge grinding stone. Later, the jaggery mixture was added before being used for plastering. Flowers, leaves, creepers, parrots and tigers adorn the beams while plantain flowers and jasmine buds are found on the doors.

Kamadhenu, the Divine Cow, elephant, swan, serpent and other animals have been carved on wood and used in wall paintings. A three-inch wooden panel running through the house has figures, including that of flowering creepers. Most of the paintings feature Krishna, the hero of Mahabharata. Besides, there are paintings on Karnarjuna Kalaga and Gopika Vastrapaharana. This Mahal is a repository of cultural wealth.

Translated by B S Srivani