Really interesting!
It reminds me of Majorcan shutters (in spanish persianas mallorquinas).
In Majorca/Minorca you cannot shut the windows when theres hot outside: humidity will make interiors as hot as the outside; but you can open the window while you have the shutter closed... and survive.
Probably in California there are some Majorcan shutters, too (Juniper Serra was from Majorca after all) ???
I think they're popular all across the Mediterranean, I've certainly seen them in Italy and Croatia.
Shutters are noticeably missing in areas in Northern Europe due to "never being hot enough", except... now they would be welcome.
For what are probably obvious reasons, this style of shutter is everywhere in the post-colonial tropics. Look at any heritage building in Hong Kong, Singapore, Hanoi, Nassau, Martinique…
I'm like 90% sure I've seen a similar article posted here, featuring middle-eastern or possible north-african/south-european buildings with this exact effect, predating these Indian ones by many centuries.
Probably in California there are some Majorcan shutters, too (Juniper Serra was from Majorca after all) ???