Indian Mansions follows the course of a day in the life of a haveli, expanding specific events to examine wider patterns of life, and combining individual observations with the historical background. We came to understand haveli society, and see how the disintegration of that society has been reflected in the decay of its mansions. The book draws on written accounts, from the diary of the Mughal Emperor Babur to the reminiscences of those who worked for the British East India Company, and it is brought up to date by the author’s first-hand interviews with those who live in the havelis today.