Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India
Situated at Badi Choupad , Pink City of Jaipur , Hawa Mahal was built in 1799. It has 953 windows on the outside walls. The honeycomb shaped and beautifully carved windows allow breeze to blow through the palace and makes it a perfect summer palace. It was built as an extension to the City Palace nearby. Photo by Fadzil Hisham In 1799, the Kachhwaha Rajput ruler, Sawai Pratap Singh, grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh ordered Lal Chand Usta to construct an extension to the Royal City Palace. The Purdah system at the time was strictly followed. Rajput royal ladies should not be seen by strangers or appear in any public area. The construction of Hawa Mahal allows the royal ladies to enjoy from every day street scenes to royal processions on the street without being seen. Photo by Fadzil Hisham The five-stories palace was built in the form of Krishna’s crown because Sarai Pratap Singh was devoted to Krishna, the Hindu god. It has a total of 953 small casements ea...