TOSHIKA AGRAWAL

SOCIOLOGY B.ARCH SEM-IX

SVIA,SVVV
JALI ARCHITECTURE AND SOCIO-
CULTURAL IMPORTANCE
Apart from the climatic aspect of Jali in architecture, It also has a socio-cultural
aspect to it.
The Jaali has an excellent quality to provide privacy. While individuals standing
inside can see what is going on outside the jali, those standing outside do not have a
clear view of what is going on inside. This allows the jali to be a perfect privacy
provider and at the same time not cutting off from the rest of the world outside.
The jali served as a perfect screen for both Mughal and Rajasthani royal women.
JALI ARCHITECTURE AND SOCIO-
CULTURAL IMPORTANCE
The Jali designs in architecture flourished the most during 16th to 18th century in northern
India and became a medium for the women to access and view the outside life without
prying eyes invading their privacy.
In keeping with social norms of the time, the jaali also served as a purdah, initially
segregating gender-specific areas and eventually demarcating the personal from the public.
Jali was a method to mediate between these spheres so that both could engage with social
and cultural functions. Hawa Mahal is an iconic example located in Jaipur City, Rajasthan,
India. The whole facade and the courtyards of the palace are delicately carved with
honeycomb patterns where the royal women could engage and view everyday life of the
kingdom and yet keep themselves away from the sight of strangers. “It functioned like a veil
for the women in the conservative social setup.
They were also used as window screens or dividers within rooms for queens, princess and
other women of the household.