Built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh the 'Hawa Mahal',
Palace of the Wind, is a classic incidence of Rajput artistry. It is a part
of the City Palace, an extension of the Zenana (women's chambers) standing
away from the main complex. This awesome five storey building was designed
by Lal Chand Ustad and is made of made of red and pink sand stone,
intricately outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime.
The monument was originally designed to enable the royal ladies to watch the
everyday life and royal processions in the city without being seen by
others.
The Structure
From the road side, the Hawa Mahal looks more like a screen and
less of a palace. This imposing pyramidal structure has tier after tier of
953 small casements, each with tiny lattice worked pink windows, small
balconies and arched roofs with immaculate hanging cornices. These small
windows circulate cool air even in the hottest summer months. Access to this
structure is gained from the City Palace side, through a stately door which
opens into a spacious courtyard.
The courtyard has a double story building on three sides. There is a small
archaeological museum here. Only the eastern wing has three more stories
above. The building stands over a high podium. It is a 50ft high thin
shield, not even a foot in thickness, with small intimate chambers, which
give the unique frontage to the building. There are no regular stairs to
reach the upper floors, but only ramps.
Tourist Timings: 9:00 hrs- 17:00hrs
