HISTORICAL PLACES IN INDIA
Historical Places In India
It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that India’s civilization is one of
the oldest in the world. All throughout its history, it has witnessed the rise
and fall of several kings, dynasties and empires. Each of those in power,
however, left behind their legacy in the form of a monument, may be a fort,
palace or any other historical structure. Apart from that, there are temples
and caves which bear testament to the artistic excellence attained in the past
ages. These places of historical importance aren’t just significant as tourist
destinations, they also attract lovers of art and history. As a result, India
today is dotted with several historical places that remind you of its
illustrious past and glorious reign.
RED FORT, DELHI
Red Fort, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a symbol of the Mughal Empire at its peak. The
enormous size, aesthetic proportions and style, all represent an age of
unrestrained opulence. Amidst the unceasing bustle of Old Delhi, stands this
colossal monument, evoking nothing but admiration from the onlookers.
Red
Fort, which is one of the popular forts and palaces
in India, was also built by the Mughal emperor, Shah
Jahan. It took over 10 years to complete, and was constructed when the emperor
decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. Back then, the fort was known
as Qila-e-Mubarak. It is from the ramparts of Red Fort that
the Prime Minister delivers his speech on Independence Day.
QUTUB
MINAR, DELHI
The Qutub
Minar, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an
incredible example of Indo-Muslim architecture that touches the skies at an
incredible height of 240ft. It is named after Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the first
Muslim ruler of North India. The place where Qutub Minar stands is usually
regarded as the site of the first Muslim kingdom in northern India.
Verses from the Quran are finely carved onto its red sandstone stories,
with most of them being mostly in Arabic. Another interesting fact is that the
first mosque in India, Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, is located at the foot of the
Qutub Minar.
One can go on
praising the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an uninterrupted
flow of adjectives – magnificent, outstanding, amazing and incredible. However,
none of those can accurately do justice to its beauty. The only way to do that
is to visit this incredible structure made of pure white marble. Everything
about it reflects grandeur, from its minarets to its dome.
Shah
Jahan had this monument built for his wife Mumtaz to express his undying love
for her, and today, lovers cite this as an example when expressing their love
to each other. The construction of the Taj Mahal, which
is also one of the must visit
UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India, took around 22
years to complete, and no wonder, the effort of every year is reflected in its
construction.
Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
The
Mughals can be credited with having built some of the finest monuments in
India, and Fatehpur
Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is yet another
example of that. Although, it should be said that it is more a small city than
just a monument. Built during the reign of Akbar, this royal city is home to
several buildings like Birbal’s Palace, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Jama Masjid.
This royal
city, which, for a brief period of time, served as the capital city of Akbar,
today wears a look of melancholy while its rich sandstone walls reflect the
glory of a past age. You will also come across the place where Tansen, the
legendary singer, practiced his singing. Watch out for the Buland Darwaza at
the entrance, which measures almost 54 meters.
Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh
Looking at Agra Fort, one would get the
impression that for the Mughals, opulence and grandeur were seemingly alien
terms. Located in Agra, a city included in the Golden
Triangle Tour Circuit India, it beautifully
brings the elements of aesthetics to size. The massive fort was built by Akbar
in 1565 AD, and stands out for its fabulous design and incredible construction.
The
fort also consists of two ornately designed gates, the Amar Singh Gate and the
Delhi Gate. Visitors can only enter through the Amar Singh Gate. The Agra Fort,
which is always included among the must
visit forts and palaces in India, consists of
a number of buildings like Moti Masjid, Diwn-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas and Musamman
Burj, where Shah Jahan died in imprisonment.
Hawa Mahal,
Jaipur
The royal class
has always had its own way of doing things, and so did the royal ladies of
Jaipur. Jaipur is also one of the most popular historic places in India.
Belonging to royalty required them to observe the “purdah” system constantly.
However, they were also curious about the happenings of the outside world. To
satisfy this curiosity, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh had the Hawa Mahal built
for them.
Upon
visiting it the first time, you will notice that the Hawa Mahal also looks like
a crown. This is because the Maharaja who built it was a major devotee of Lord
Krishna. Also known as the “Palace of Winds”, it was designed by Lal Chand
Ustad. It resembles a honeycomb of a beehive with its 953 intricate windows.
Upon visiting it the first time, you will notice that the Hawa
Mahal is shaped like a crown. Explore popular
attractions in Jaipur with this package. Explore
popular attractions in Jaipur with this package.
Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh
If you want to see the most
artistic expression of human sensuality, then Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh is where you should head to.
Located in the small and quiet town of Khajuraho, the Khajuraho Temples are
included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These beautiful temples are adorned with
brilliantly carved statues and sculptures which reflect the various aspects of
Kama Sutra. However, there are other attractions to check out inside these
temples besides the sensual sculptures. These marvelous temples which were built
by the Chandelas are a group of Hindu and Jain temples. They also reflect the
acceptance of religious diversity during that period of history.
Konark Temple, Odisha
And there stands the Konark Temple in Odisha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in
all its resplendent glory and fame. What artistic passions must have led to the
creation of this marvel, one wonders. It was built by King Narasimhadeva I, the
great ruler of the Ganga dynasty, along with 1200 artisans in stone. The
temple, which is devoted to the Sun God “Surya”, leaves everyone enchanted with
the fabulous Kalinga architecture. The crowd pullers are undoubtedly the
gigantic chariot, pillars and walls which lend the temple an authentic touch of
Odisha. European sailors famously referred to this structure as the “Black
Pagoda”. Another remarkable feature of the temple is to be found at its gate,
where there is a depiction of two lions crushing elephants along with a human
body lying at the foot of the elephant.
Gateway of
India, Mumbai
One of the most
popular historic places in India is the Gateway of India. One of the most
iconic landmarks in the country, it was built by the British in 1924. It was
actually built as an entry and exit point during the British period, and
inaugurated by the Viceroy, the Earl of Reading. Today, however, it has become
a favorite picnic spot for locals and tourists alike.
On any
given day, one can spot dozens of street vendors serving tasty snacks along
with balloon sellers, thereby lending a happening vibe to the entire place. The Gateway
of India has been reinforced repeatedly over
the years with yellow basalt and concrete. In addition, the turrets are
decorated with delicate lattice work.
Charminar,
Hyderabad
There are many
theories attributed to the building of the Charminar. According to one of them,
Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah had this monument built in 1591 to express his
reverence to Allah. According to another theory, Charminar was built to
celebrate the end of plague in the city. Legend also has it that there is a
secret tunnel running from this incredible monument to Golconda Fort.
Whatever
the reason, one cannot deny that this architecture is elegant, stylish and
exquisite. It’s called Charminar because of its four pillars, each of which
measure almost 20 meters from the side. They also open to balconies that circle
them. These minarets never fail to captivate onlookers and passers-by. Any visit
to Hyderabad is incomplete without visiting the
Charminar.
Hampi, Karnataka
The ruins of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in Karnataka, is without a doubt, one of the 15 historical places in India that you can’t miss. Hampi is a place which seems to be stuck in time, waiting for daily life to resume, on its streets, on its temples and in its halls. In every corner here, you come across something worthy of being admired. Every stone tells a story of the past. Hampi was built by the great ruler Deva Raya II of the Vijaynagara Empire.
For art and history lovers, this is a paradise, as it is for those
wanting to explore the achievements and glories of the past ages. One of the
great attractions in Hampi are the sculptures of Lord Shiva carved in stone.
Besides this, there are other attractions including the chariot structures,
elephant stables and gopurams. Visitors are immensely fascinated by the beauty
of the Virupaksha Temple. Hampi is also the place where mint, Vijaynagara’s
main coin, was minted.
The Great Chola
Temples, Tamil Nadu
The Great
Living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu are a group
of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the epitome of artistic and architectural
excellence. These temples were built by the kings of the Chola Empire, a
powerful empire which stretched all over South India and the neighboring
islands. The three great temples are: Brihadeshwara Temple at Tanjore,
Airavateshwara Temple in Darasuram, and Brihadeshwara Temple in Gangaikonda
Cholapuram.
Every one of these temple reflect the outstanding achievements of the
Chola Empire in sculpture, architecture, painting and bronze casting. One of
the examples of that is the 24meters vimana and a stone image of Shiva at
Darasuram. The incredible gopurams of these temples along with the sculptures
inside them really win one’s heart.
Amer Fort,
Rajasthan
Amer Fort occupies an honorable place in
the most popular historic places in India, and undoubtedly, is one of those places
which you cannot miss during a tour to Rajasthan.
It’s built with both red and white sandstone, and stands as an example of
ancient Indian architecture. The fort is home to numerous buildings like the
Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Aam and Sheesh Mahal. The carvings on the ceiling and the
walls are simply marvelous.
There
are several paintings which depict hunting and portrait of illustrious Rajput
rulers. There are a series of gates in the fort, and each one possesses a unique
architectural and structural element. A unique experience at the Amer Fort is
the elephant ride which takes you all the way to the Suraj Pol (sun gate).
Ajanta and
Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Another of the most famous historical places in India are the Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra. Both of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and draw tourists in impressive numbers. The sculptures and artifacts in the caves belong to three different religions: Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. There are 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves.
It was in these caves, which were in fact Buddhist monasteries that the
monks prayed, studied and meditated. The credit for discovering these famous
caves goes to the British officer John Smith who stumbled upon these historic
sites while he was out on a tiger hunt in 1819. The artifacts in the caves
depict the past lives and rebirths of Gautam Buddha.
Mysore
Palace, Mysore
You
cannot fathom the greatness of the Mysore Palace unless you come face to face
with it. The grandness of its proportions would have you believe that the
palace had sprung out of a fairytale. It was built by the British architect Lord
Henry Irwin in 1912.
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