Hawa Mahal was designed by lal chand ustad. It is constructed of red and pink sandstone. The palace sits on the edge of the City Palace, Jaipur, and extends to the zenana, or women’s chambers. The structure was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. He was so inspired by the unique structure of Khetri Mahal that he built this grand and historical palace. Its exterior is like a honeycomb of a beehive.
It has 953 windows and was built for Rajput women. The original intent of the lattice design was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen, since they had to obey the strict rules of “purdah”, which forbade them from appearing in public without face coverings. This architectural feature also allowed cool air.
The original intention of the palace was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen, since they had to obey strict ‘purdah’.
Hawa Mahal is a cultural and architectural heritage. It is a true reflection of a fusion of Hindu Rajput architecture and the Islamic Mughal architecture.
The Rajput style is seen in the form of domed canopies, fluted pillars, lotus and floral patterns, and the Islamic style as evident in its stone inlay filigree work and arches.
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