Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

About Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal, located in the historic core of Jaipur, was constructed in 1799 CE by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of the Kachwaha dynasty as part of the City Palace complex. Built during the late Rajput period, the monument reflects the social practice of purdah, allowing royal women to observe daily life and festivals without being seen. Covering an area of approximately 5,000 square metres, Hawa Mahal is an important cultural landmark and a major tourism attraction. Its specific five-storey façade, inspired by the crown of Lord Krishna, blends Rajput decorative traditions with Mughal architectural influences and climate-responsive design.

Architecture of Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal exemplifies a fusion of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles, typical of late eighteenth‑century Jaipur under the Kachwaha rulers. Designed by architect Lal Chand Ustad in 1799 CE for Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the palace is constructed from locally quarried red and pink sandstone, bonded with lime mortar and carved with intricate latticework. The façade rises in a pyramidal form about 15 m high, creating a shallow but ornate structure. Its 953 small jharokhas, each with delicate stone screens, not only provide privacy but also regulate light and airflow, keeping the interior cool a climatic adaptation well ahead of its time. The palace’s form symbolises both royal identity and functional ventilation, with its ornamental arches and domed canopies reflecting Rajput aesthetic elements and Mughal symmetry.

• Five storeys forming a pyramidal façade
• 953 latticed jharokhas (windows)
• Main entrance and rear ramps
• Central courtyard adjoining the City Palace complex
• Domes, chhatris, and decorative arches

Interesting facts about Hawa Mahal

• This palace built without any base is the tallest palace in the world.
• There is no entrance on the side facing the wind. If you want to go inside you have to go through the back section.
• There are a total of five storeys in the Hawa Mahal and even today this palace successfully stands at an angle of 87 degrees in its place.
• The 953 windows are arranged in precise geometric repetition.
• Pink sandstone was chosen to match Jaipur’s planned urban identity.
• The layout symbolises royal privacy combined with urban engagement.

How to reach Hawa Mahal