Meet the human behind Jaipur Houses

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Conserving heritage is always a topic of discussion on World Heritage Day. To commemorate the occasion, a plethora of events unfolds, ranging from exhibitions showcasing the unique cultural and natural heritage of diverse regions, to cultural events spotlighting the traditions and customs of local communities, and guided tours offering insights into the history and significance of heritage sites. However, the fervor surrounding these discussions often diminishes soon after the day concludes. To sustain this discourse and foster a connection between heritage and the youth, social media emerges as a powerful tool.

Meet Bharat Singh, the man behind ‘Jaipur Houses’, a popular Instagram page dedicated to appreciating the vanishing beauty of Jaipur’s old houses and structures. Through captivating imagery and insightful narratives, Singh ignites a renewed appreciation for Jaipur’s heritage among a diverse audience. The allure of Jaipur Houses lies in its ability to transform passive scrolling into an immersive journey through time. Each post serves as a window into the past, inviting viewers to rediscover the stories embedded within the city’s walls. More than just a collection of photographs, Jaipur Houses sparks dialogue and engagement. Followers share memories, anecdotes, and even personal connections to the featured landmarks — be it the houses, streets, the shops or even the motifs one finds on the houses in the Pink City — breathing new life into forgotten narratives.

A Passion for Preservation

From an early age, Singh displayed a penchant for writing, coupled with a voracious appetite for reading. His fascination with Jaipur led him to devour every book available on the city, nurturing a deep understanding of its rich heritage. Singh’s journey into documenting and preserving Jaipur’s architectural heritage digitally began with a simple passion: capturing the essence of old things. With a keen eye for detail and a fascination for the past, he found himself drawn to the weathered charm of ancient houses, each telling a story of bygone eras. Residing in an old house himself, Singh experienced firsthand the magic of living within walls steeped in history. It was when his sister welcomed a newborn, that the idea of creating an archive took root. Recognizing that future generations might not have the opportunity to experience their ancestral home, Singh embarked on a mission to preserve its memory for posterity.

“The idea was not to start an Instagram page,” Singh recalls, “but just to document our family house where three generations have lived, so that the memories can be kept alive.” Thus, Jaipur Houses was born in 2022, initially envisioned as a private archive the future generations of the family. However, what began as a personal project soon evolved into a public endeavour as the page garnered unexpected attention. Within a mere two years, Jaipur Houses has amassed a devoted following of over 30,000 odd people, drawn to its captivating portrayal of Jaipur’s heritage.

In 2022, when the page took its fledgling steps, only two similar initiatives—Delhi Houses and Calcutta Houses—existed. Venturing into the streets with his phone camera, Singh encountered both curiosity and resistance and he had to explain his motives to skeptical onlookers. “Sometimes people used to get angry and ask what I am doing. I used to get called out as being sneaky. Once, I even faced a rebuke from a guard at Mahilya Chikistalaya for photographing the premises, citing potential safety concerns.”, he recalls. Yet, as the page gained traction, attitudes shifted. Today, invitations to document old houses pour in, which is a testament to the growing recognition of Jaipur Houses as an apt repository of city’s heritage. Enthusiasts across the city also actively contribute by sharing their own discoveries. “Whenever someone stumbles upon an old house, they click pictures and send me or they tag me on their posts”, he adds

Beyond Instagram Aesthetics

Driven by his innate eye for design, Singh initially intended to focus on documenting houses outside the walled city. Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, Singh assumed that significant efforts must have been made for the documentation of the buildings there. But he soon realized that there is a treasure trove of old buildings and structures inside the walled city that is being brought down at a huge speed. “A lot of old houses and buildings have already been broken down,” he notes, underscoring the imperative to document them before they vanish into oblivion. He also manages another page titled ‘Jodhpur Houses,’ stemming from his frequent visits to the city and his familial connections with cousins residing there. Even though it is not as active as Jaipur Houses, he envisions collaborating with his cousins to curate content and maintain the page.

Down the line, the ace instagrammer envisions creating a coffee table book comprising multiple volumes, dedicated to showcasing the old houses, buildings, and other structures of the Pink City.”The journey of raising awareness has only just begun,” remarks Singh, who emphasizes the current perception of the page as primarily a ‘cool’ platform for featuring heritage. However, his aspirations extend far beyond mere admiration. Singh hopes for a future where individuals or organizations that have the financial withstanding, invest in and restore these historic buildings, ensuring that heritage preservation transcends mere aesthetics and becomes a tangible reality.

(All pictures clicked by Bharat Singh)