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The Hawa Mahal is perhaps the most
famous of the palaces of Rajasthan. This unusual structure
is a landmark of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The
Hawa Mahal, though pretty in appearance, does not have the
reassuring solidity that is the hallmark of old buildings.
Its walls are less than one foot thick, though the
structure itself appears majestic thanks to its height.
The Hawa Mahal is part of the giant City Palace complex.
This palace once housed the women of the kings household.
The architecture is unusual, because of the presence of
hundreds of (950, to be precise) latticed windows. While
latticed windows were a common occurrence in old
Rajasthani palaces and havelis, the presence of so many
windows in a single structure is unique.
The windows, for the women, were
literally their windows to the world. Barred from moving
out of the confines of the palace, not allowed to mingle
with the common people, perhaps these unfortunate ladies
demanded the right to broaden their horizons and look on
sights and sounds denied to them. |
