RAS question
The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur was constructed by which ruler?
Correct answer: (B) Sawai Pratap Singh.
Hawa Mahal in Jaipur was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.
Explanation
Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, is tied to Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh because Rajasthan Tourism identifies him as the ruler who constructed it in 1799. Its design and function make it a major RAS monument fact: Lal Chand Ustad planned it in the form of Lord Krishna's crown, and its 953 small jharokhas were not decorative trivia alone. They served the social purpose of letting women of the royal household watch daily life and processions in the city without being seen. Rajasthan Tourism also describes it as Jaipur's distinctive pink-painted, honeycombed, five-storeyed landmark, and RAS preparation links its builder, date, architecture, and purpose together.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Sawai Madho Singh II ruled later and is associated with Albert Hall Museum, not with the construction of Hawa Mahal in 1799.
- (C) Sawai Ram Singh II is linked with painting Jaipur pink, whereas Hawa Mahal's construction is attributed to Sawai Pratap Singh.
- (D) Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jaipur, but the Hawa Mahal was built later by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.
Concept
In Rajasthan History, Art and Culture, monument patronage connects major Jaipur landmarks with their rulers, dates and purposes. RAS preparation treats Hawa Mahal as a compact link between architecture, royal history and urban culture.