Jharokha: Difference between revisions

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Jharokha balcony in Jodhpur (Mehrangarh) Jharokha

A jharokha in Maheshwar Fort, Madhya Pradesh

Several jharokha can be seen jutting out from the facade of this typical haveli at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

The Jharokha is a stone window projecting from the wall face of a building, in an upper story, overlooking a street, market, court or any other open space. A common feature in classical Indian architecture, most prominent in Rajasthan. It is supported on two or more brackets or corbelling, has two pillars or pilasters, balustrade and a cupola or pyramidal roof; technically closed by jali but generally partly open for the inmates to peep out to see passing processions. 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 Indian architecture until the 19th century. Jharokha might have been derived from balconies in Mauryan art.

Jharokha Darshan

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.

External links

ArchNet Dictionary of Indian Architecture: Jharokha

Jodhpur Mehrangarh Jharokha

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 [[Image:Maheshwar Fort - Jharokha 02.jpg|thumb|upright|A ''jharokha'' in [[Maheshwar]] Fort, Madhya Pradesh]]
 [[Image:Jaisalmer-4.jpg|thumb|upright|Several ''jharokha'' can be seen jutting out from the facade of this typical ''[[haveli]]'' at [[Jaisalmer]], [[Rajasthan]]]]
-A '''''jharokha''''' (or ''jharoka'') is a type of [[Overhang (architecture)|overhanging]] enclosed [[balcony]] used in the [[architecture of Rajasthan]]. It was also used in [[Indo-Islamic architecture]]. ''Jharokha'' jutting forward from the wall plane could be used both for adding to the architectural beauty of the building itself or for a specific purpose. One of the most important functions it served was to allow women to see outside without being seen themselves. Alternatively, these windows could be used to position archers and spies.
+The '''Jharokha''' is a stone window projecting from the wall face of a building, in an upper story, overlooking a street, market, court or any other open space. A common feature in classical [[Indian architecture]], most prominent in Rajasthan. It is supported on two or more brackets or corbelling, has two pillars or pilasters, balustrade and a cupola or pyramidal roof; technically closed by ''[[jali]]'' but generally partly open for the inmates to peep out to see passing processions. 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 Indian architecture until the 19th century.
+Jharokha might have been derived from balconies in [[Mauryan art]].
-The ''jharokha'' is a stone window projecting from the wall face of a building, in an upper story, overlooking a street, market, court or any other open space. It is supported on two or more brackets or corbelling, has two pillars or pilasters, balustrade and a cupola or pyramidal roof; technically closed by ''[[jali]]'' but generally partly open for the inmates to peep out to see passing processions. 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 Indian architecture until the 19th century.
-The projected balcony is an essential element of Rajasthani architecture, both as decoration and as a viewing platform. The ''chajja'' – sloping [[eaves]] that projected out above the balconies – increase protection from both the summer sun and monsoon rain. ''Jharokha'' are mainly used in palaces, ''[[haveli]]'' and temples.
 == ''Jharokha Darshan'' ==
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 ==See also==
-*''[[Mashrabiya]]'' (wooden version)
 *[[Matroneum]]
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 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070313000527/http://archnet.org/library/dictionary/entry.tcl?entry_id=DIA0402 ArchNet Dictionary of Indian Architecture: Jharokha]
-{{Islamic architecture}}
 [[File:Jodhpur Mehrangarh - Palast 4a Jharokha.jpg|thumb|Jodhpur Mehrangarh Jharokha]]
 [[Category:Rajasthani architecture]]