Jharokha
The jharoka is a stone window projecting from the outer wall of an upper story building. It usually overlooks a street, market, court or any other space. It is a common feature in classical Indian architecture, most prominently seen in Rajput architecture. It is supported by two or more brackets or corbelling, and includes two pillars, balustrade and a cupola or pyramidal roof. Although it is technically closed by a jali, it is generally partly open for people to view public events. The jharokha is more formal and ornamental than English or French oriel window, and is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the façade in medieval Rajput architecture until the 19th century.
Background
Early examples of jharokhas appear in pre‑Rajput buildings as primitive oriel windows for light and air. During the 16th-18th centuries, under Rajput and Mughal architectural influence, they became elaborate architectural trademarks. Initially serving purely utilitarian functions, jharokhas gradually adopted decorative carvings, latticework and chhatri style domes, and were used for royal audiences and discreet observation under purdah.The jharokha darshan of rulers was a structure for displaying the ruler to his court or people rather than allowing inhabitants of the palace to look out unseen. It was therefore more open, and not necessarily built projecting out from its wall.
Architectural features
Jharokhas typically protrude from the main wall on ornately carved corbels or brackets, creating a small chamber or balcony. Their three‑sided enclosures are filled with delicate jaali lattice screens of stone, wood or alabaster; bearing geometric, floral and religious motifs. Many terminate in small domes or chhatris and feature scalloped or cusped arches borrowed from Mughal designs. Deep overhanging chhajjas and continuous horizontal "speedlines" accentuate their profile while providing shade. Materials range from locally quarried sandstone and Makrana marble in royal structures to wood in smaller dwellings, and their placement on facades facing courts or processional routes optimizes views and natural ventilation.Creating a jharokha involved selecting suitable materials, conceptualizing designs rich in local symbolism, and executing intricate carvings by traditional artisans. After carving, the prefabricated elements were assembled on site, adjusted for stability, and finished often with polishing or gilding to enhance their visual impact.