India: Jaipur: What to See & Do: Sights: Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)

Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)

The five-tier pink confection was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh for the ladies of the royal household. Through the lace-like carving of sandstone the women could view daily life on the streets without being seen. Though the building appears vast, it is really a feat of trompe l’oeil, as the top three stories are just one room deep.