IEC COLLEGE OF ART & FASHION

Affiliated with Limkokwing University of Creative Technology

1. HAWA MAHAL:

1.1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Built on: 1799

Built by: Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (Kachhwaha Rajput Ruler)

Location: Badi Choupad, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (edge of the City Palace and also extends to the
Zenana, or women’s chamber)

Built because: the royal women can enjoy the festivals and events happening in the street (Main
Reason: Pardah system)

Architectural style: Blend of Hindu Rajput Architecture and Islamic Mughal Architecture

Timing for visit: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (Daily)

Also called: “The Palace of Winds” or “The Palace of Breeze”

Made up of: Red and Pink Sandstone

Number of windows: 953 windows (Jharokhas) outside the wall

Shape: Honeycomb

Height: 50 meters

Architect: Lal Chand Ustad

Construction form: Form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god (as Maharaja was an ardent
devotee of Lord Krishna)

Attractions nearby: Jantar Mantar (700 m)

Govind Dev Ji Temple (750 m)

City Palace (850 m)

Jaipur Zoo (2 km)

Albert Hall Museum (2.4 km)

Raj Mandir Cinema (3.7 km)

Sanskriti Sarawagi
2019 batch (3rd sem)
B.A in Interior Architecture
Architecture Culture and History 241 Page 1
 IEC COLLEGE OF ART & FASHION
Affiliated with Limkokwing University of Creative Technology

Dolls Museum (3.8 km)

Central Park (4.4 km)

INTRODUCTION:

Hawa Mahal is one of the most iconic monuments in the Jaipur city with a history of over 200 years.
As the building was construction so that the royal women could enjoy the festivals and events
happening in the street, they could get a view of everyday life through the windows. Rajput royal
women never appeared in public or in front of the strangers. Hence, the Pardah system was one of
the core reasons for the construction of Hawa Mahal. The women were keen and interested to
follow the day-to-day events as well as the royal processions that occurred in the streets. For their
benefit, the palace was built complete with many small windows and screened balconies which gave
the royal women the sense of freedom without even appearing in front of strangers or public.

Sanskriti Sarawagi
2019 batch (3rd sem)
B.A in Interior Architecture
Architecture Culture and History 241 Page 2