6 Prominent Historical Places in India – Part 1

Indian history proclaims the heroic feats of the kings and queens of the yesteryears. Their valour, royal lifestyle, beauty and charisma fascinate us. The reminiscence of their past deeds and actions are relived in the different historical cities, towns and monuments they have constructed. The tales of their wars and their undaunted courage to fight with the enemies speak about their zeal and power to uphold their pride for their motherland. The historical places in India narrate the rich cultures, traditions and customs that prevailed during the reign of the rulers of the various dynasties. Visiting such places adorned by majestic forts, splendid palaces, curated royal gardens, architectural monuments and many other spectacular structures provides a glimpse of the passion and artistic skill of the rulers of ancient India.

In this article, I would like to provide you with a list of the historical places in India, that depict the Indian historical heritage and the interesting tales related to each of these magnificent places.

Taj Mahal, Agra

Indian history is incomplete without the mention of the glamorous, stunning and incredible Taj Mahal. And if you are touring India, it is a must-visit. Taj Mahal in Agra is one of the top historical places in India. The monument is the symbolic representation of the unprecedented love of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Its enigmatic beauty and grandeur are unparalleled and incomparable. Built in white sparkling marble, the idea to construct this amazing structure surfaced in the year 1632. Such was its design intricacy and marvel, that to incorporate all the architectural carvings, it took a whopping 22 years for completion. Be it in daylight or under the moonlight, the charm of the Taj Mahal allures tourists from all over the world.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

The state of Rajasthan is wrapped with the bravery and valiant acts of the Rajput warriors. Forts, monuments and palaces are a testimony to the glorious past of ancient India. Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, the capital city of the state, is one of the greatest historical places in India. In English, the literal meaning is “The Palace of Winds”. The structure resembles a honeycomb, curved in shape. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, the unique feature of the palace is that it does not have any foundation. The 953 windows of the palace are intricately designed and curved, proof of the talent and artistic skills of the designers, architects and builders. Hawa Mahal is a popular tourist destination in India, especially because of its gorgeous motifs and patterns.

Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho Temples in the state of Madhya Pradesh beautifully portray the eternal love and grace that dominate Indian mythology. The sculptures of humans and gods as carved on the walls and interiors of the temples are incredible and astonishing. The details of the art speak commendably about the expertise and mastery of the artists of ancient times. Constructed between 950 AD and 1050 AD by the rulers of the Chalukya dynasty, the temples sketch a phenomenal combination of the Hindu and Jain religious beliefs. The temples are one of the most exemplary historical places in India.

Mysore Palace, Karnataka

Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of the Wadiyar dynasty was instrumental in perceiving and constructing this wondrous palace in Karnataka in the year 1897. Mysore Palace is one of the breathtaking historical places in India. The entire building is embellished with royal artefacts, ravishing furniture, intricate wall and ceiling designs, decorated pavilions, paintings of the rulers and their queens and the display of the elite attires. Elaborate chandeliers, majestically curated pillars and the fascinating palanquin of the king of Mysore are some of its key attractions.

Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu

India is divided into 4 sects – North, South, East and West. Each part has its own historical stories and has been ruled by kings and queens of various dynasties. Chola dynasty was renowned in the southern part of India. The rulers had a religious inclination and their devotion is well depicted in the Chola temples of Tamil Nadu. It is essentially a combination of 3 temples – Brihadeshwara Temple at Tanjore, Airavateshwara Temple in Darasuram, and Brihadeeshwara Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Emperor Rajaraja first initiated the creation of the three temples in the 11th century. The last one Airavateshwarawa temple was built in the 12th century. The pavilion is gigantic, housing the three temples in a single compound. The images of gods and goddesses can be seen carved atop the massive towers of the temples.

Bara Imambara, Lucknow

In 1798, Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula constructed Bara Imambara in Lucknow. The main objective for building the monument is to serve as a place of worship for Muslims. It ranks high among the renowned historical places in India. Situated in a majestic compound, the key feature of the building is its unique structure. It has been constructed magnificently without the support of any standing beams; and is the largest of its kind in the world. Kudos to the architects and designers who could perceive such a remarkable and innovative idea in the ancient era; when modern technology was not even invented.

Hope you liked our first episode on the Historical places in India. We will be back soon with Part 2; where we will again showcase some of the incredible monuments and architectural marvel of the country.