Jahaj kothi, Hisar

George Thomas, a native of Ireland and the uncrowned ruler of the territory between Sirsa and Rohtak built this building for his residence during 18th century AD. This is a good example of preBritish architecture in the transitory phase. The Jahaj Kothi or the house in the form of a ship stands on the east of the town. Owing to its isolated location, it gives an impression of a ship in the ocean (surrounded by a huge open area) and that is what justifies the name ‘Jahaj Kothi’. After the defeat of ‘George’ somewhere in the first decade of 19th century, James Skinner, a respected name in the service of British Government, became the ruler of this territory. He also used ‘Jahaj Kothi’ for some time as his residence before constructing his own residential palace at Hansi. A small museum has been set up at Hissar in the Jahaj Kothi, that displays the antiquities of Harappan sites such as Banawali, Kunal, Rakhigarhi etc. excavated by Department.