Jaipur's "Pink Palace", Rajasthan, India
The most photographed building in India after the Taj Mahal. More properly called the Hawa Mahal, situated in the heart of the city of Jaipur.
Constructed in 1799 by the Maharajah Sawai Pratap Singh, the purpose of the palace was to allow royal women to observe street festivals and daily life from within without being seen from without, which satisfied the requirements of the purdah system.
The palace is renowned for its façade, which resembles a honey-comb with allegedly no fewer than 953 small windows or jharokhas. These windows are adorned with intricate latticework, allowing cool air to circulate, earning it the name the Palace of Winds. The structure is built from the local red and pink sandstones, contributing to its moniker as the Pink Palace.
The Hawa Mahal is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles, reflecting the cultural fusion of the era. It stands as a testament to the opulence of the Rajput dynasty. The Rajputs were the high-status warrior clans of Rajasthan.
The rest of Jaipur adopted its distinctive pink hue in 1876 to honour the visit of Prince Albert Edward, son of Queen Victoria, to India. Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II of Jaipur chose pink because it symbolised what he saw as the hospitality and warmth of Indian culture and he aimed to leave a lasting impression on the British royal guests.
To achieve this, the Maharaja ordered that the city's buildings be painted in a uniform shade of pink, or more accurately, terracotta. This decision was so impactful that, in 1877, a law was enacted requiring all buildings within the walled city to maintain the pink colour, a tradition that continues to this day.
250129 133
Jaipur's "Pink Palace", Rajasthan, India
The most photographed building in India after the Taj Mahal. More properly called the Hawa Mahal, situated in the heart of the city of Jaipur.
Constructed in 1799 by the Maharajah Sawai Pratap Singh, the purpose of the palace was to allow royal women to observe street festivals and daily life from within without being seen from without, which satisfied the requirements of the purdah system.
The palace is renowned for its façade, which resembles a honey-comb with allegedly no fewer than 953 small windows or jharokhas. These windows are adorned with intricate latticework, allowing cool air to circulate, earning it the name the Palace of Winds. The structure is built from the local red and pink sandstones, contributing to its moniker as the Pink Palace.
The Hawa Mahal is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles, reflecting the cultural fusion of the era. It stands as a testament to the opulence of the Rajput dynasty. The Rajputs were the high-status warrior clans of Rajasthan.
The rest of Jaipur adopted its distinctive pink hue in 1876 to honour the visit of Prince Albert Edward, son of Queen Victoria, to India. Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II of Jaipur chose pink because it symbolised what he saw as the hospitality and warmth of Indian culture and he aimed to leave a lasting impression on the British royal guests.
To achieve this, the Maharaja ordered that the city's buildings be painted in a uniform shade of pink, or more accurately, terracotta. This decision was so impactful that, in 1877, a law was enacted requiring all buildings within the walled city to maintain the pink colour, a tradition that continues to this day.
250129 133