The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and designed by the architect Lal Chand Ustad. It combines Hindu Rajput architecture with Islamic and Mughal influences. The five-story, pyramid-shaped palace rises about 50 feet (15 m) and is built of red and pink sandstone, in keeping with Jaipur's nickname, the Pink City.
Its honeycomb-like facade contains 953 small windows, called jharokhas, many decorated with intricate latticework. The screens let royal women watch street life and festivals without being seen. They also let cool air pass through, making the interior more pleasant in the summer heat.
The palace was renovated in 2006 after a 50-year gap. The top two floors can be reached only by ramps, and the Government of Rajasthan's archaeological department maintains the site.
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