Heritage Homestay
0%Opening the doors of Shikwa
Village Katha · Delhi–Baghpat Road NH709B · +91 8586 060 838 · +91 7457 896 734 · shikwakatha@gmail.com · By prior reservation only
From Akshardham Temple · 25 mins drive

Echoes ofan era.

Seven centuries of courts, gardens, and timeless mornings — nestled in the heart of a rural village, Katha.

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Interior of Shikwa Haveli
Interior of Shikwa Haveli
Interior of Shikwa Haveli
Interior of Shikwa Haveli
More than a stay

A haveli,
steeped in history.

For seven centuries, this was Qaziyon ki Haveli — a home and seat of justice through generations. Its walls have witnessed royal hunts, grand celebrations, and the unhurried rhythm of village life.

Lovingly restored by the Raza Family — Mr. Shariq Bin Raza, his wife Mrs. Alka Raza and their son Sahil Raza — the haveli now opens its doors to guests and to those who share a deep appreciation for art, heritage, culture, and the stories of an era gone by.

Step through its countless arches, wander through royal gardens and historic courtyards, and enjoy a restful stay in our beautifully curated heritage rooms. Experience a living piece of history — carefully preserved, warmly shared, and brought back to life.

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6Heritage Guest Rooms
4Lounges
3Courtyards
The Story of Shikwa

Where justice was dispensed.

For centuries, Katha — an ancient village on the banks of the Yamuna — has been home to the respected Qazis of Katha, whose courts dispensed justice through generations. Its history stretches back to the medieval era, with Katha recorded in the Zafarnama during Timur's march through India in 1399. The village later became a favoured Shikargah of Mughal royalty and nobility.

By the mid-20th century, many of its historic mansions had fallen into ruins. In the mid-1990s, Shariq Bin Raza, with his wife Alka Raza, undertook the restoration of two surviving havelis. Over fifteen years — with the expertise of Tariq Bin Raza and the hands of local craftsmen and artisans — they were rebuilt and restored, arch by arch and brick by brick.

Today, they are known as Shikwa Havelis — named after the affectionate name "Shikwa" given to Shariq by his mother, Noor Jehan Begum.

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13th – 18th Century The Qazis

Qaziyon ki Haveli

Built as the home and courthouse of the Qazis — the judges who dispensed justice through generations.

The oldest and largest of Katha's noble houses — with court held here into the early 1900s.

1990 – 2009 Revival

Reconstruction, Restoration & Refurbishment — Over 15 Years

Found in ruins and abandonment, the haveli was rebuilt by the family, brick by brick, and became a home in 2009.

Every painted niche and carved door revived by hand, using the craft of the original build.

Ruins to Glory Shikwa Haveli

A living heritage noble home

Home to a Diplomat, Journalist & Writer, and Entrepreneur.

Chhatris, stone jalis, jharokhas and fountains rise around the walled garden, Bagh-e-Bahisht.

Shikwa Haveli The Haveli Welcomes You

Heritage Homestay

Six heritage rooms open to guests — an experience of an era gone by.

Six characterful rooms, three courtyards and a walled garden, opened to a handful of guests at a time.

Our rooms

Where everyroom has a story.

Each room is a graceful ode to the haveli's heritage, where hand-painted niches, antique details and traditional craftsmanship meet understated luxury — creating an intimate retreat that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

Hunter's Room
Majestic

Hunter's Room

SittingKing Size BedOverlooking Courtyard
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Rider's Room
Majestic

Rider's Room

SittingKing Size BedOverlooking Courtyard
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Sunset View Room
Majestic

Sunset View Room

SittingKing Size BedOverlooking Courtyard
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Princess Room
Royal

Princess Room

SittingKing Size BedOverlooking Courtyard
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Peacock Room
Royal

Peacock Room

SittingKing Size BedOverlooking Courtyard
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Pearl Room
Royal

Pearl Room

SittingTwin Size BedOverlooking Courtyard
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A Day at the Haveli

Unhurried experiences,steeped in heritage.

High Tea
Afternoons

High Tea

A hi-tea of stories with the family.

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Pre-Mughal Cuisine
Dining

Pre-Mughal Cuisine

Ancestral recipes, cooked fresh each day.

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Special Rooms
Interiors

Special Rooms

The haveli's most ornate, storied rooms.

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The Lounges
Curiosities

Lounges

Burma, Africa, Europe — gathered over lifetimes.

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Bagh-e-Bahisht
The Garden

Bagh-e-Bahisht

The walled Garden of Heavens.

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Walk to the Yamuna
The Doab

Walk to the Yamuna

Through the fields to the riverbank.

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Begum Samru Church, Sardhana
Excursions

Visit to Begum Samru Church

The grand basilica of Sardhana.

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Village & Curated Heritage Walk
With your hosts

Village & Curated Heritage Walk

Old lanes and stories, room by room.

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Kite Flying
Rooftop

Kite Flying

Paper kites over the open fields.

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Yoga & Wellness
Wellbeing

Yoga & Wellness

Sunrise yoga on the terrace garden.

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The Raza family, hosts of Shikwa Haveli
The family behind Shikwa

A home shared with you, warmly hosted by the family.

Shikwa Havelis is a family home, lovingly restored and preserved over generations. In the mid-1990s, Mr. Shariq Bin Raza, together with his wife Mrs. Alka Raza, undertook the extraordinary task of restoring the remnants of the historic havelis. What began as a personal effort to preserve their heritage became a 15-year journey of restoration, reconstruction and revival.

They were joined by Mr. Tariq Bin Raza, a civil engineer whose expertise and passion for art, culture and heritage helped guide the restoration. Working alongside skilled local craftsmen and artisans, the family brought the havelis back to life, arch by arch and brick by brick.

Today, the family — with their son, Sahil Raza — continues to care for this living heritage and opens its doors to guests. Visitors are welcomed not into a hotel or museum, but into a family home — one filled with stories, art, treasured collections, and a deep love for history, heritage and culture.

Shariq, Alka & Sahil Raza
Everything, cared for

Comforts of a home

Heritage grace, complemented by modern comfort.

By prior reservation only
Guest Voices

A rare place where seven centuries of history, generous hospitality and the quiet rhythms of village life meet.

Shikwa HaveliVerified guest review

We came for a night and stayed for three. Every courtyard, every meal, felt like being welcomed into a family home.

A traveller from DelhiWeekend stay

The rooftop sunset over the fields is something I still think about. Unhurried, elegant, deeply personal.

Heritage enthusiastVerified stay

Staying at Shikwa felt like stepping into a living painting — the hand-painted rooms, the courtyards, the warmth of the hosts. We didn't want to leave.

Ritika M.Family getaway

Every corner tells a story. The Raza family welcomed us like their own, and the home-cooked meals were unforgettable.

Arjun K.Heritage traveller

The most romantic, peaceful escape near Delhi. Sunsets from the rooftop baradari are pure magic.

Sneha & NeilAnniversary stay

A rare heritage gem — spotless rooms, genuine hospitality and history in every arch. Highly recommend.

Priya G.Weekend guest

A photographer's paradise. The architecture, jharokhas and gardens are breathtaking in every light.

Mohan R.Photography trip

Felt completely safe and cared for. The music-room evenings and courtyard chai made my trip truly special.

Kavya A.Solo traveller

We travelled across India and this was the highlight — authentic, elegant and deeply personal. A real family home.

Devon V.From London

We booked the whole haveli for a family reunion and the team went above and beyond. Everyone is still talking about it.

The Sharma FamilyGroup stay
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