Site Name: Rajpura
Date: 1639-1665 CE?
Subject: Western gateway, from inside the sarai compound
CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY
The sarai is a fortified enclosure, rectangular in plan form, where each corner terminates in a octagonal bastion. These bastions are covered by presence of a dome and inverted lotus moulding. Two gateways are present opposite each other on east and west sides of the enclosure. The gateway on the east is not in use and is bricked up. West gateway is double storied structure with a cusped arched marking the opening in the center, with large wood doors. The facade of the gateway is decorated with recessed niches arranged as panels on the both side of the arched opening. 26 square and single storied rooms are present on each side of the enclosure wall, around the courtyard, with a deep verandah in the front. Larger rooms are present in the middle of these rooms on the north and south direction, covered with domical vaults while all other rooms have flat ceilings. The enclosure is constructed of brick and left unplastered. A few ornate details in plaster can be observed at ceiling level of the gate. Exterior facade are adorned with decorative features like crenallations at the upper level. The structure has undergone several changes over the years and is now being used as a Tehsil Court.