Mandawa once functioned as a trading outpost for ancient caravan routes in Shekhawati for goods from China and the Middle East.

Thakur Nawal Singh, then ruler of Nawalgarh and Mandawa built a fort in to protect this outpost.

[4][5] The great Ghazal Singer of South Asia Mehdi Hassan was born here and migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India.

[6] The majority of them chose to build their homes in this town, resulting in the creation of a plethora of exquisitely crafted large Havelis that are popular tourist attractions in Mandawa.

Its historical sites and rich culture entice visitors: As of 2011[update] India census,[8] Mandawa had a population of 23,335.