Table of contents:
- 1. Hawa Mahal
- 2. Cellular prison
- 3. India Gate
- 4. Charminar
- 5. Caves of Ajanta
- 6. Sanchi Stupa
- 7. Mysore Palace
- 8. Qutb Minar
- 9. Red Fort
- 10. Taj Mahal
Video: 10 ancient monuments of India that keep the historical secrets of this country
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
India is a land of opposites, unlike any other. There are so many different religions, languages, beliefs and traditions in it. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that historical sites in India reflect the diversity of ancient architectural styles and cultures. Here are some examples of some of the amazing historical sites in India.
1. Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal, also known as the "Palace of the Winds", is one of the top tourist attractions in Jaipur city. This beautiful pink sandstone palace was built in the shape of the crown of Lord Krishna by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. Hawa Mahal is also a fine example of Rajputana architecture. Its pyramidal shape and 953 beautiful windows make this place a unique landmark in the city.
The interior of the palace is notable for long corridors, as well as the fact that there are no stairs - the floors are connected by special slopes. As many as 953 windows in Hawa Mahal were not made by accident - they were intended for women in the royal harem who never appeared in public. These windows allowed them to observe the life of people, and just enjoy a great view of the city.
2. Cellular prison
The Cellular Prison, also known as Cala Pani, is also located in Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This complex has become a silent witness to the torture to which Indian activists fighting for independence were subjected. Its construction was completed in 1906, and today Kala Pani is considered one of the country's national monuments.
Literally every corner of the prison "can tell" the stories of resistance, sacrifice and suffering of great Indian freedom fighters such as Birendra Kumar Ghosh, Upendranath Banerjee, Hem Chandra Das, Ullaskar Dutta, Bibhuti Bhushan Sarkar. The Cell Prison has 696 single cells, hence its name.
3. India Gate
India Gate is Mumbai's most famous landmark. The construction of this arch in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture was begun in 1911 and completed in 1924. The main purpose of this colossal structure was to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, who visited Mumbai in 1911.
The gates of India are significant in that they are a wonderful symbol of British India and the British Emperor. Visitors can also see a statue of Shivaji, the Indian warrior king of the 17th century, opposite the arch.
4. Charminar
Charminar or "The Mosque of the Four Minarets" is the hallmark of the city of Hyderabad and means roughly what the Taj Mahal is to Agra. The building was built in 1591 by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in honor of the victory over the plague in the region. For this monument, the style of Indo-Islamic architecture was used, and it was created from granite, mortar and crushed marble.
At each corner of the building there are four exquisite 56-meter minarets connected by a double balcony. A winding staircase of 149 steps leads to the upper floor of Charminar, which is intended for prayers. A wonderful underground tunnel was also built that connects Charminar with Golconda.
5. Caves of Ajanta
Ajanta is the most popular Buddhist monument in India, which is located in Aurangabad (Maharashtra state). 30 caves in the rocks of this Buddhist temple-monastic cave complex were carved in the II century BC. Of the 30 caves, five are halls with stupas, and the rest are the premises of the monastery. The Ajanta Caves are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Ancient paintings illustrating various events from the life of Buddha and sculptures are the main attraction of these caves. Local rock carvings are considered one of the rarest in the world.
6. Sanchi Stupa
The Sanchi Stupa (Madhya Pradesh State) is the oldest stone structure in India and also one of the most popular Buddhist monuments in the country. It was built in the 3rd century BC by order of the Emperor Ashoka.
The main four gates in the Sanchi stupa depict scenes from the life of the Buddha. It also contains many carvings and images of Buddha, covered with varnish, preserved from the time of the Mauryan empire.
7. Mysore Palace
The Mysore Palace can be seen in the South Indian city of Mysore (Karnataka state). In fact, it was built by different emperors at different times. This is the main reason why the palace boasts a variety of architectural styles, from Indo-Saracenic to Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic.
Mainly gray granite and pink marble were used for construction. The public darbar (audience hall) and the royal wedding hall inside the palace have become the main attraction for visitors today. Interestingly, the 14th century weapons and arsenal used by the royal family are also kept in this palace.
8. Qutb Minar
Qutb Minar is the second tallest minaret in the country. This World Heritage Site was built in Delhi. Its foundation was laid in 1192, and construction took more than 75 years (with several rulers replaced). Qutb Minar is also surrounded by many ancient structures.
This ancient Islamic monument is 72.6 meters high and is made of red sandstone and marble. Qutb Minar consists of 5 floors, each separated by beautifully decorated balconies. Also noteworthy is the lower part of the minaret's interior, decorated with elaborate Islamic carvings.
9. Red Fort
Lal Qila or "Red Fort", located in Delhi, is one of the most iconic symbols of India and is listed as a World Heritage Site. It was originally home to the Mughal emperors for over 200 years (until 1856). The citadel was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 and gets its name from the massive red sandstone boulders from which it was made. The red fort reflects the architectural styles of Mughals, Hindus, Islam, Persians and Timurids.
The red fort, located on an area of 254 hectares, has an octagonal shape. Persian, European and Indian works of art, as well as diamonds were used to decorate it.
On every Indian Independence Day since 1947, the country's prime minister has raised the national flag at the main gate of the Red Fort before giving a speech. The fortress has become the largest monument in Delhi, which attracts visitors from different parts of the world every year.
10. Taj Mahal
One of the Seven Wonders of the World is located in Agra (Uttar Pradesh State). The city of Agra has become the most visited place in India by foreigners precisely because of this historical monument of love. The white marble mausoleum, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Construction of the Taj Mahal took 20 years and began in 1632. About 20,000 people worked on the construction of the mausoleum, and 1,000 elephants were used to transport materials. The architectural style of the Taj Mahal combines Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, Turkish and Indian architecture.
The four sides of the Taj Mahal are completely identical, and its most striking feature is that the mausoleum takes on different colors at different times of the day: pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night. Calligraphic Persian verses can also be seen on its walls.
What is the threat hanging over the most famous landmark in India - the majestic Taj Mahal.
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