India is a country of glorious past and rich cultural history. Historical Places in India will showcase you the the art and architecures of different dynasties and religions which are masterpiece in itself. India is the home ground of the first civilization and the birth place of many great rulers. It has witnessed the rise and fall of a number of many empires. It is the land of Gods and Goddesses, myths and beliefs. With so much to hold this country has emerged as the home to one of the most striking and magnificent monuments of the world. Many of the are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the beginning of the Harappa civilization to the present times, a number of outstanding structures have been constructed by the rulers of this country. All through the country you will find innumerable constructions with historical significance. So here are some of the best historical places of India.
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The current capital of the country plays a very significant role in the history of India. It is one of the most famous historical places in India. Delhi is believed to be Indraprasth, the capital of the legendary capital of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata. It has served as the capital of The Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire for long. With so many rulers coming in power, this city saw the construction of a number of magnificent structures. A lot of these monuments feature Indo Islamic architecture. Along with them there are number of ancient temples too situated in and around Delhi. Qutub Minar, Red Fort,India Gate, Humayun Tomb, Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantar, Lotus Temple, Lodi Tomb are some of its most important monuments.
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Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan state in India was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It is the first planned city of India. The city was divided into nine blocks, out of which two consist the state buildings and palaces, whereas the remaining seven blocks were allotted to the public. Also known as the ‘pink city’, the city has a number of historical monuments. It is home to a number of beautiful forts and palaces. Some of the most important monuments of Jaipur are Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Gaitore, Jaigarh Fort, Jantar Mantar and Nahargarh Fort.
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Agra is another famous historical place in India which lies on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Sikandar Lodī, the Ruler of the Delhi Sultanate founded Agra in the year 1504.It was the ruling capital of the Lodi Dynasty. The Mughals too made Agra their capital. Emperor Akbar, Jahāngīr and Shāh Jahān kept Agra as their capital. Agra has some the most beautiful monuments in the world. Some of the best attractions of Agra are Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, Itmad ud Daula, Soor Sarovar, Chausat khambha, Chini ka Rauza, Mariam’s Tomb, Mehtāb Bāgh, Keetham Lake, Mughal Heritage Walk, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Paliwal Park.
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Jaisalmer is the desert city of India. Often called the ‘Yellow City’, it is located in the state of Rajasthan. The endless desert and Jaisalmer Fort are its major attractions. The Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other than these it is also well known for Kuldhara Village, Patwon ki Haveli, Tazia Tower and Gadisar Lake.
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Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka and was the capital of the Vijaynagar Empire. This place is well known for its historical ruins. It is a major pilgrimage site due the presence of a number of temples. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first historical settlements in Hampi date back to 1 CE. Achyutaraya Temple, Badavi Linga, Chandramauleshwara Temple, Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple, Hazara Rama Temple Complex, Hemakuta group of temples, Krishna Temple Complex and Vittala Temple Complex are some of its major attractions.
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Konark is famous for its Sun Temple that was built in c. AD 1250, during the reign of the Eastern Ganga King Narasimhadeva-I (AD 1238-1264). The entire complex was designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven feisty horses on twelve pairs of elegantly carved wheels. The Sun temple belongs to the Kalingan school of Indian temple architecture. It is a part of the World Heritage Site. The Sun Temple is also known as the Black Pagoda as it is built in black granite.
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Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram is a town in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. During the Pallava Dynasty it was the port city. Mahabalipuram has a cluster of sanctuaries carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast. These were built during the the 7th and 8th centuries. A wide range of historical structures along with rathas, mandapas and the shore temple with sculptors of Shiva can be found here. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Kanchipuram is situated in Tamil Nadu and is situated on the banks of the Vegavathy River. This city has stayed under the rule the Pallavas, the Medieval Cholas, the Later Cholas, the Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Carnatic kingdom, and the British. It was once the center of education and was known as ‘ghatikasthanam’. It has also served as a religious centre of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between the 1st and 5th centuries. It is home to a number of ancient temples like the Kailasanathar Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, and Kumarakottam Temple.
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This city of Joy has so much to tell about the glorious past of India. The region was controlled by the Nawabs of Bengal under the Mughals and was taken over by the British in 1772. A place well known for its contribution in the field of literature, art and culture is home to some of the most prestigious monuments of the world. Most of the historical buildings in Kolkata present a wonderful example of British architecture. Victoria Memorial, Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, Marble Palace, Fort William, Indian Museum, South Park Street Cemetery, Writers Building, St.Paul’s Cathedral and Jorasanko Thakurbari are some of its most important landmarks.
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Bodh Gaya is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya district. It is famous for the Bodhi Tree. It is said that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under this tree. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed that about 280 years after the Enlightenment of the Buddha, Emperor Ashoka visited Bodh Gaya and laid the foundation of the original Mahabodhi temple. It consisted of an extended spire crowned by a small stupa and a chhatravali on a stage. A double flight of steps led up to the platform and the higher chamber. The moldings on the spire contained images of Buddha. It was later renovated by the Kushana Rulers in the 1st century.
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Formerly called as Tanjore, Thanjavur is one of the most important historical destination in South India which is known for religion, art, and architecture. The Great Living Chola Temples which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments are located here. Cholas ruled this places after which many other dynasties rules this place like Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks, Thanjavur Marathas and the British Empire.The most visited monument in Thanjavur is the Brihadeeswarar Temple.
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Khajuraho Group of Monuments is one of the most famous historical places in India, which are known for their stunning Hindu and Jain Temples Architecture. These monuments are UNSECO World Heirtage Sites. Temples in Khajuraho are known for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures, which were built between 950 and 1050 CE by the Chandela dynasty. The temples have several thousand statues and art works.
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Badami is known for its famous for its sandstone cave temples . It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. Badami has been selected as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY – Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India. You will find here some amazing artworks in cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions and sculptures.
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Ajanta and Ellora Caves are also among the famous historical places in India, which are famous for rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. Both Ajanta Vaces and Ellora Caves are located in different parts of Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. These caves are UNESCO World Heritage Site and Archaeological Survey of India describes these caves as “the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting” which are masterpiece of Buddhist Architecture.
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