India being the land of natural treasures, was explored by different nations from the world through different ages of history. Every corner of the country bears a number of heritage sites, making a documentation of the incidents of past ages. If you love to explore historical spots, India has a big list of them. In this article we mention ten such places, most of which are declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
1. Taj Mahal, Agra
The wonder of the world was created by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan on the banks of Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, after the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz. It took some sixteen years (1632-1648) to make this mausoleum. The white marble monument is a canvas where the Mughal, Turkish, Persian and Indian architectural styles have been blended to create an incredible picture. Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
2. Mysore Palace, Mysore
The earlier residence of the Wodeyur King and his family, the Mysore palace is now one of the biggest tourist spots in India. The original wooden palace was devastated by fire in 1897 and it was rebuilt in 1912. The Muslim-Hindu-Gothic-Rajput combination in the architecture has created an everlasting wonder for the visitors. The palace is beautifully decorated with lights in the evening and it makes a marvelous show.
3. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
The white marble architectural wonder in Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial was designed by Sir William Emerson and its idea was conceived by Lord Curzon to commemorate Queen Victoria. Standing amidst lush green gardens, the white structure looks like a heavenly palace. Inside there is a museum that preserves several paintings, artworks, armors and antiques. The building takes you back to the grandeur of the British period.
4. Qutub Minar, Delhi
The multi-storied victory tower in Delhi, Qutub Minar, marks the initiation of Muslim rule in Delhi. The construction was started by the first Muslim ruler, Qutub-ud-din Aibak and was completed by his heirs, Iltutmush and Firoz Shah Tughlak. The tower with a tapered structure was finally completed in its fifth storey, having a height of 73m.
5. Charminar, Hyderabad
The Charminar stands on the busy street of Hyderabad, to tell you some amazing stories from the pages of history. It was built towards the end of the 16th Century by Quli Qutub Shah. There are popular stories behind its creation; some people say that it was built after the city got rid of a devastating plague while according to some others, it was built in the honor of Qutub Shah’s beloved queen. The Charminar, composed of four towers, is an architectural asset of the age. The monument has a mosque on its top floor.
6. Ajanta-Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
The Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra will take you back to the ancient ages when the dimensions of art and creation were quite different. The mysteries behind the art of carvings and paintings will leave you awestruck. The cave arts were created between 2nd Century BC and 6th Century AD. The creations were based on the Buddhist and Jain philosophy.
7. Khajuraho Monuments, Madhya Pradesh
The Khajuraho monuments in Madhya Pradesh is another architectural wonder in India, where the marvelous height of creativity leaves any visitor spellbound for sure. Built during the Chandela rule, the monuments are a combination of Hindu and Jain temples. The sensual carvings and sculptures on the monument show an unbelievable elevation of artistic sense and the profound knowledge of the erotic sciences of its creators.
8. Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
The 1500ft high golden structure standing amidst the desert of Thur, is the Jaisalmer fort, better known as Golden Fort or Sonar Quila. The stalwart fort has withstood a number of battles with its well-planned design. In 1156AD, Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal built this fort. The beautiful structure shines the most during sunrise and sunset. Bengal’s film maestro Sri Satyajit Ray made his famous creations, a novel and a film, on this fort.
9. Konark Sun Temple, Orrisa
The magnificent Konark sun temple of Orissa is another wonderful creation of art, made in the 13th century by the initiative of Ganga King Narasimhadeva I. It is the temple of the Sun God. Not only the art, it is actually the art of engineering that makes the visitors awestruck here. Every inch of the chariot shaped temple is built in such highly scientific measurements, that it will surely fill your mind with the greatest splendor.
10. Gateway of India, Mumbai
In the coast of Colaba district of Mumbai, the spectacular monument, gateway of India, overlooks the Arabian sea. The construction was completed in 1924. The last British regiment left the country through this gate in 1948, after India was free from the grip of British rule.
Visiting these ten places mentioned above you will get an idea about the cultural splendor and versatility of the land. If you are a true history lover, Indian heritage sites will fill your mind with awe for sure!
Traveling to India is such a great experience for every traveler. It is a wonderful country for travelers because it has a combination of all adventurous, historical and religious places. Thanks for sharing.