Unique Hawa Mahal Palace Jaipur, 1880 Photo
An 1880 photo of the Hawa Mahal Palace or the Wind Palace in Jaipur. An iconic landmark of the city from 1799 when it was first constructed. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. Its unique feature was its front facade with numerous small windows which was akin to a honeycomb.
Although it had a purpose, allowing the women folk of the royal family to view the outside world without making their presence felt. These honeycomb windows were so skillfully crafted that one could look out from inside. But no one could notice the activities inside the building. It also had a cooling effect with wind streaming in.
The Rajput women were not allowed to appear in public at the time, so the palace gave them the freedom to peek at the outside world. The complex does not have a stairway leading to its five floors but only by way of ramps. Incidentally, the city gets its name after Maharaja Jaisingh II the founder of Jaipur. But before Jaipur came into being the capital city was Amber which was just 11 km away. The shifting of the capital to Jaipur was because of Amber’s increase in population and because of the scarcity of water.
Read more history of Hawa Mahal.
Did you know- it is also said this structure is the world’s highest building without a foundation.
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