Basic Information
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Built: 1799
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Commissioned by: Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
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Architect: Lal Chand Ustad
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Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
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Architecture style: Rajput architecture with Mughal influences
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Material used: Red and pink sandstone
🌬️ Why It’s Called “Hawa Mahal”
“Hawa Mahal” means “Palace of Winds.”
It has 953 small windows (jharokhas) with intricate latticework. These allow cool air to circulate through the palace, keeping it comfortable even during Rajasthan’s hot summers.
đź‘‘ Purpose
The palace was built mainly for royal women of the Rajput court. Due to the purdah system, women were not allowed to appear in public, so the windows allowed them to observe street life, festivals, and processions without being seen.
🏗️ Structure & Design
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Looks like a honeycomb or the crown of Lord Krishna
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Five stories high, but no stairs—ramps connect the floors
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The façade faces the main road, while the interior is relatively simple
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Not a full palace, but more of a screen-like structure
🏛️ Inside the Palace
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Small chambers and corridors
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Courtyards with fountains
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A small museum showcasing artifacts and miniature paintings
đź“Ť Cultural Importance
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Symbol of Jaipur’s heritage and pink city identity
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One of the most photographed monuments in India
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Part of Jaipur’s rich architectural legacy under the Kachwaha Rajput