Homes often preserve history in ways monuments cannot. They record routine movements, personal habits, and social exchanges that rarely find a place in official chronicles.

In central India, several old residential structures still stand with their original layouts, materials, and spatial logic intact.

These buildings were never constructed as symbols of power or prestige, yet they became sites where political discussions, cultural gatherings, and community decisions took place.

Their importance lies in continuity rather than spectacle. Each of these homes reflects how private spaces often intersect with public life in understated but lasting ways.

1. Chitnavis Wada in Nagpur

Chitnavis Wada is located in the Mahal area of old Nagpur, which historically functioned as the administrative and residential core of the city. The structure is generally dated to the late eighteenth century and is associated with the Maratha administrative period, when Nagpur served as a regional centre of governance. Built as a traditional wada, the house follows a courtyard-based design that allowed multiple generations to live within a single enclosed space. Thick stone walls, wooden pillars, and inward-facing rooms were meant to regulate temperature and ensure privacy in a dense settlement. The layout reflects residential practices common across central India during that period.

The house later came to be known as the residence of the Chitnavis family, who held administrative roles during the Maratha and early colonial periods. Over time, the building became a venue for social gatherings, literary discussions, and cultural programmes rather than remaining a closed private residence. Its continued use prevented structural abandonment, which is a common cause of deterioration for many historical homes. Renovation efforts retained the original wooden beams, stone flooring, and internal courtyards instead of replacing them with modern materials. The spatial organisation remains largely unchanged from earlier records.

Chitnavis Wada also functioned as a meeting space for local intellectual circles during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Visitors to the house included writers, social reformers, and educators who were active in the region. The wada did not operate as an institutional centre but as a domestic space that allowed such gatherings to take place naturally. This overlap between home and public discussion was characteristic of many urban residences in Vidarbha during that time. Today, the building is still accessible for cultural use, allowing its historical character to remain visible rather than preserved behind barriers.

2. Bapu Kuti at Sevagram Ashram

Bapu Kuti is a modest residential structure located within Sevagram Ashram near Wardha. Unlike many preserved homes, it was intentionally built with minimal materials and limited spatial division. The structure consists of simple walls, a sloping roof, and sparse interiors designed to support basic living rather than comfort. Its design reflects a conscious rejection of elaborate domestic architecture. The building was used as a living space rather than a symbolic memorial during its early years.

The residence became closely associated with daily routines, writing, meetings, and correspondence. Several documented interactions took place within this space, including discussions with visitors from different parts of India and abroad. The structure was never expanded or redesigned despite increasing footfall. Maintenance records show that repairs focused on preserving the original form rather than modernising the building. Items inside the home were limited to essential furniture, writing surfaces, and storage.

Bapu Kuti also functioned as a place where visitors could observe daily living practices without a staged presentation. Accounts from contemporaries describe the home as accessible and open during fixed hours, allowing people to engage directly without formal protocols. The absence of decorative elements shifted attention toward conversation and routine activities. This approach influenced how residential spaces were perceived within Vidarbha as sites of ethical and social engagement rather than status display. The structure remains preserved with careful attention to original materials and layout, ensuring continuity of its historical use.

3. Bajajwadi in Wardha

Bajajwadi is located in Wardha town and served as the residence of the Bajaj family during the early twentieth century. The house was constructed as a large residential compound with open courtyards, verandas, and guest rooms to accommodate frequent visitors. Its architectural style reflects a blend of regional construction methods and functional planning suitable for extended stays. The structure was designed to support both family life and regular hosting duties.

Over time, Bajajwadi became known as a meeting place for social workers, educators, and visitors involved in reform movements. The house often functioned as an informal guest house, accommodating individuals who travelled to Wardha for discussions and organisational work. Records indicate that the home maintained detailed visitor logs and correspondence, highlighting its role as a coordination space rather than a private retreat. Despite frequent use, the building retained its domestic character.

The house also supported community-oriented activities such as spinning sessions, reading groups, and planning meetings. Rooms were repurposed temporarily based on need rather than permanently altered. This flexibility allowed the structure to serve multiple functions without structural change. Bajajwadi stands as an example of how residential spaces in Vidarbha adapted to social needs while remaining homes first. Preservation efforts have focused on maintaining original room divisions, courtyards, and circulation paths rather than converting the building into a static display.

Historical homes provide records of daily life that formal institutions rarely capture. They show how people lived, interacted, and organised space around social needs. The three houses discussed here continue to exist not because they were monumental but because they remained useful. Their survival depended on occupation, maintenance, and relevance rather than isolation. Each structure demonstrates how domestic spaces often became informal centres of dialogue and activity.

These homes also reveal how architecture responded to climate, social structure, and available materials without excess. Their layouts prioritised function, adaptability, and communal interaction. The continued visibility of such homes helps contextualise urban and rural development in Vidarbha beyond official buildings and public monuments. They serve as physical records of how personal spaces often carried public significance. Their preservation allows present-day observers to understand history through lived environments rather than abstract narratives.