If you do some traveling in North India, you are bound to see jali on historic buildings. Jali (also spelled jaali), is latticed stonework. Some of my favorite examples were at the Amber Fort near Jaipur, where the jali was used to provide ventilation and privacy for the ladies of the palace.

Walking through the interior hallways, I was impressed by how much the breeze came through and how well we were protected from being baked by the sun.

Many of the places we visited had a vast array of jali designs.

Jali works like blinds as well – it is much easier to see out than to see in!