Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh so that Royal ladies could enjoy the street celebrations and Royal processions from behind this lace-like facade, without being seen by the public. It has 953 small casements, each with small lattice worked pink window, balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices for this reason. 

Carved out of red and pink sandstone, the honeycomb shaped and beautifully carved windows also allowed the breeze could pass through, keeping it cool and making it a perfect summer palace. The word “Hawa” means wind and “Mahal” is palace so it is known as the Palace of Wind. It was built in the form of Krishna’s crown because Sarai Pratap Singh was devoted to Krishna, the Hindu god.