Ever wanted to step back in time? India is your portal, packed with historical sites that will blow your mind. Kings, warriors, poets, and architects of the past have left behind monuments, forts, temples, and cities. These masterpieces tell their own story. It doesn’t matter if you love history, are a student or just like learning about the past. You will get to know that India is a wonderful place with a rich history. Here are the top ten historical places in India that you should consider visiting.
Table of Contents
10 Best Historical Places to Visit in India
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1. Taj Mahal, Agra
When you think of visiting historical places in India, what comes to your mind first? Obviously, it’s the Taj Mahal. It is not just a building, though. The Taj Mahal is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. Can you believe it? Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor, built the whole thing to tribute his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is a place worth seeing. You can find it chilling right at the bank of the Yumana River. It is a beautiful blend of Persian, Turkish, and Indian design Ideas. It is like the ultimate example of how amazing Mughal architecture could be. So, if you are looking to book a flight to India from the UK, this should be your first stop.
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2. Qutub Minar, Delhi
Another stunning piece of history right there in Delhi is the Qutub Minar. Back in 1193, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, who actually founded the Delhi Sultanate, started construction on this massive 73-meter tower. That’s pretty tall. The structure is made of red sandstone and marble. And it has five different storeys, each marked by a balcony. Interestingly, the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is actually part of the same complex. So, it’s a site with a lot of historical and religious significance.
3. Red Fort, Delhi
Red Fort
This beautiful, grand place was built by a Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. Additionally, it used to be the Mughal rulers’ primary place of residence for almost two centuries. That’s a long time, right? Even now, it stands as a powerful symbol. The Indian prime minister travels to this place to hoist the national flag during the Independence Day celebrations. And when you step inside, it feels like you’ve entered a whole new world. The architecture displays an ideal blend between Indian and Persiandesigns.
4. Hampi, Karnataka
Have you ever heard of Hampi? It’s actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the fourteenth century, it was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is a huge open-air museum of ruins. When it was at its peak, Hampi was one of the richest and largest cities on the planet. Now, when you visit, you can check out amazing things like the famous stone chariot at Vittala Temple, the Virupaksha Temple, and several royal buildings and marketplaces.
5. Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh
Isn’t it interesting how the Chandela dynasty built incredible Khajuraho temples way back between 950 and 1050 AD? Because of their detailed carvings and sculptures, so many visitors are attracted towards it. And the interesting part is that out of the original 85 temples, around 20 remain today. You can see the focus on erotic themes in their art. They show everyday life realistically and all sorts of human feelings and even legendary stories.
6. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is so fascinating. Emperor Akbar decided to build this grand capital in the 1500s. It was meant to be the heart of the Mughal Empire. It was quickly abandoned beacuse of a lack of water. Even though it wasn’t the capital for long, Fatehpur Sikri really feels like you’ve walked into a different era. It is one of the best examples we have of how the Mughals planned their cities. It is the perfect blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture.
7. Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
This place is like a time capsule carved into the rock. The Ajanta and Ellora caves are some of the oldest rock-cut cave monuments in India. The Ajanta caves are filled with Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls. The walls are covered with these ancient, faded paintings and murals. It silently tells all sorts of stories. It’s like stepping into a history book, but in a cooler way. Ellora Caves are the meeting point of different faiths. You will find Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions all in its 34 caves. And they carved an entire temple, the Kailasa temple, out of just one single rock.
8. Mysore Palace, Karnataka
Mysore Palace is also known as the Amba Vilas Palace. It was the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty. The original palace was actually made of wood, but it was destroyed by fire and reconstructed in 1912. And the new one is a mixture of Gothic, Mughal, Hindu, and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles. It is lit up by 100,000 light bulbs during the Dussehra holidays. You can find royal stuff like ceremonial items, paintings, old weapons, and even royal clothes.
9. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
If you want to feel like you stepped back into the 13th century, you must visit the Konark Sun Temple. King Naraimhaeva built it. And the interesting part is that its design looked like a massive chariot being pulled by seven horses, with 24 super detailed wheels. This temple is dedicated to the Sun God. And it is even positioned so that the very first sunlight of the day would shine right on its main entrance. Additionally, it appears on the Indian ₹10 banknote.
10. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
Mehrangarh Fort certainly sounds like a magnificent place, doesn’t it? It was built by Rao Jodha. And it is located 125 meters above Jodhpur. The walls are seriously huge, too, like up to 26 meters high and 21 meters thick. And a museum filled with royal armour, clothes, paintings, and old antiques. Plus, there are a bunch of palaces with a courtyard. The view from the top, looking out over all those blue houses in Jodhpur, is incredible.
Conclusion
India has a really long history. These ten locations are just a small part of its heritage. There are so many places that show this history, tell stories about amazing art, ancient architecture, different religions, and powerful rulers. When you visit these places, it’s not just about seeing beaches and mountains. You will learn a lot and remember more than just the photos you take.
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