chajjas

Chajja (also spelled chhajja) refers to a projecting eave or canopy over a window, doorway, balcony, or shopfront in South Asian architecture. It is typically a slab, lintel, or curved structure that extends outward from the wall, supported by brackets, corbels, or a row of corbels, and often carved with decorative motifs.

Construction and materials: Chajjas may be built in stone, brick, timber, or metal, with newer versions rendered in concrete. They can be single-span or composed of multiple sections, and may be curved, straight, or sloped to shed rainwater. The supporting elements—brackets or corbels—range from plain to highly ornamented.

Purpose and function: The primary roles are to provide shade for interiors and to protect openings from rain. By shading windows and doors, chajjas reduce heat gain and help control light. They also contribute to the facade’s rhythm and skyline.

Design and regional use: Chajjas are a hallmark of Indo-Islamic, Mughal, Rajput, and vernacular architecture in the Indian subcontinent and neighboring regions. They are often paired with jharokhas (overhanging enclosed balconies) and with decorative jali screens, forming layered, sculptural facades.

Historical context and modern use: Chajjas date from medieval and early modern periods and remain common in traditional buildings. In contemporary architecture, they are frequently reproduced in concrete or metal as decorative and functional elements, echoing traditional forms while serving modern construction methods.

See also: jharokha, jali, eaves.