The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, northern India. The name translates as ‘Palace of the Wind(s)’, and refers to the breeze that  blows through the lattice-like windows, known as jali (fig.).

These are used as a kind of purdah to hide the ladies of the royal harem from the view of the people in the street below whilst allowings the palace women to look outside and observe daily life.

The five-storey facade is part of the adjacent palace proper and extends to the zenana, the segregated women's quarters. It is built in the form of a giant beehive, and is sometimes whispered to resemble the crown of the Hindu god Krishna (fig.).