Indian historical monuments are among the top reasons people visit India. The ancient temples, sculptures, and frescoes from a thousand years ago amaze the imagination. These are real masterpieces. Seeing them is also a miracle. Here’s a take on India’s major historical sites. We’ll fill you in on the basics, show you some images, and offer tips for travelers.
The Most Famous Historical Monuments OF India
There are so many gorgeous historical places in India that choosing which deserves the most attention is difficult. Here are seven tourist attractions that everyone has heard of.
Taj Mahal
The world-famous symbol of India, a familiar landmark to everyone, so similar to a fairy-tale castle, is a mausoleum mosque. Shah Jahan of the Mughal Empire built it for his beloved wife. The luxurious mausoleum mosque was supposed to be the most beautiful building in the world, and now we can say that the idea was a success: in 2007, the famous mausoleum was recognized as a world wonder.
The Taj Mahal is not just one mausoleum, but an entire complex of buildings, complemented by a picturesque park. And all this is in an area of 17 hectares. Artisans were brought from all over the world. For example, a specialist from the Ottoman Empire worked on the dome’s appearance, a Persian architect made the drawings, and calligraphers from Syria and Persia made excerpts from the Koran to decorate the buildings. It is believed that during the 22 years of construction of the complex, at least 20 thousand workers were involved. The tomb was built in 17 years, and the remaining five were spent on accompanying buildings.
When you’re in Agra to check out the Taj Mahal, be sure to explore some nearby sights too.
Khajuraho Temples
After the Taj Mahal, the Khajuraho temples are the second most popular tourist destination. This 1,000-year-old monument to Indo-Aryan architecture is also known as the Temples of Love. Located in the dense jungles of Madhya Pradesh, every inch of the temple surfaces is decorated with stone carvings depicting explicit erotic scenes, as well as images of animals, deities, and scenes from everyday life, such as harvesting, hunting, weddings, wars, and more.
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Red Fort
Lal Qila – The Red Fort by David Sivyer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lal Qila (Red Fort) in Delhi is a former Mughal palace, another grandiose monument built by Shah Jahan, the founder of the Taj Mahal.
The Red Fort is located in the heart of the city, making it easy to visit.
Shah Jahan created it as a citadel for his capital. The complex surpassed not only Versailles in size, but also El Escorial, the largest European palace of the time. Gardens were laid out inside, a mosque was built, the interior buildings were decorated with marble, and the sovereign’s peacock throne was adorned with a large diamond, part of which is now in the English crown. The beauty of Lal Qila was such that Shah Jahan ordered the words of a Persian poet to be carved on one of the arches: “If there is paradise on earth, it is here”.
Inside the Red Fort, you can see the halls where the padishahs received audiences. You can visit an exhibit of musical instruments played at court. You can also look into the hammam where the rulers relaxed after work.
Diwan-i-Khas in white marble, inlaid with precious stones.
Photo by Brijender Dua on Unsplash
Take some time to check out a few more of Delhi’s historical monuments when you’re in the city.
Hawa Mahal
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The ornamental facade of Hawa Mahal is the hallmark of Jaipur. The five-story pink stone building, decorated with graceful columns and balconies, has 953 niches and windows. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh invited the architect Lal Chand Ustad to construct an extension for the harem. He installed a unique ventilation system inside the palace. A network of pipes along the walls created a natural draft, thanks to which fresh air streams blew, in turn, through all the rooms. Thus, a light, refreshing breeze never stopped blowing in the palace at any time of the year. That is why the amazing structure is called the Palace of the Winds. Naturally, only the Maharaja and his court could enjoy the coolness of the palace.
The rows of delicate, lace-like limestone windows that repeat endlessly on each floor give the palace a harmonious look overall. The structure’s striking decorativeness and intricate geometric lines clearly show the influence of the Moorish style, which is common in India. This palace could easily be the magnificent setting for the tales of Scheherazade.
Hawa Mahal is quite small and does not take much time to explore. A few steps away are other attractions in Jaipur, such as the ancient observatory Jantar Mantar and City Palace.
Amer Fort (Amber Fort)
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For about seven centuries (1037–1728) Amer served as the capital of the Kachwaha Rajput family clan. The city was built on high and inaccessible rocky ridges, and its defensive walls are like a continuation of the natural environment.
The massive and high walls of the fort conceal a whole complex of refined architectural structures, distinguished by incredibly lush decoration in the Mughal style. Tourists will be able to admire the multi-colored mosaic panels, marble sculptures, magnificent sandalwood, and mahogany finishing, interior details inlaid with gold and ivory, and a mesmerizing view will open up before them from the walls of the fort.
As tickets to all Jaipur attractions are quite expensive for foreigners, buy a combo ticket. You will profit even if you visit only a few more places besides Amer Fort.
Hampi
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Hampi is a small village in the north of the Indian state of Karnataka. The ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, brought this place world fame. Since the village of Hampi is located in the very center of the ruins of Vijayanagara (which, by the way, occupy more than 26 square kilometers), it is often identified as the ruined city itself.
The village is a stone plateau, on it there are many large boulders, and between them, there are ancient buildings. Some of them are well preserved, others are in the process of restoration, and many are destroyed, and in their place, there are only stones with skillful carvings.
Best places to see in Hampi:
The Vithala Temple (in the picture above), dating back to the 16th century, is an architectural masterpiece. This temple has so-called singing columns, which produce melodic ringing when lightly tapped.
The most famous is the Virupaksha temple complex, which is dedicated to Shiva. Among all the monuments, it is the largest and most ancient.
Photo by Srusti Valakamadinni on Unsplash
Lotus Mahal. The palace got its name from the similarity of the domes and ceilings to a lotus bud. The architectural plan of the building is very complex, intertwining Indian and Islamic styles.
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Narasimha Monolith. In 1528, during the incarnation of the half-man-half-god, Vishnu was carved out of a rock monolith.
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Konark Sun Temple
The temple was built at the point where a river meets the ocean, designed so that waves wash over the steps of its staircase. Its construction required the labor of over a thousand skilled craftsmen and took 16 years to complete.
The temple is shaped like a pagoda, pulled by Surya’s chariot. It features 24 intricately carved stone wheels and, originally, seven horses, which are now gone. Lions guard the entrance. The wheels represent the movement of the solar disk, symbolizing eternity and the continuous passage of time, which is 24 hours a day. The walls are ornately decorated with carvings depicting various scenes, including sensual erotic art, military battles, and lively dances.
The transportation of the enormous, single-piece stone blocks to this location remains an enigma.
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Talking about sun temples, there are at least twelve of them in India. The Sun Temple in Modhera, Gujarat is another notable example.
The Most Ancient Indian Historical Monuments
India boasts a rich cultural heritage and is home to some of the world’s oldest and most admired historical monuments. Here are the most remarkable of them. Let’s mentally include Khajuraho, which has already been described above.
Bodh Gaya Mahabodhi Temple
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The Mahabodhi Temple is a world-famous Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Mahabodhi is translated from Sanskrit as “Great Awakening”. It is perhaps the most famous Buddhist temple in the world, located on the very spot where Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment and became Buddha after meditating for 49 days.
After 250 years of Buddha’s enlightenment, King Ashoka visited Bodh Gaya. He is considered the founder of the Mahabodhi Temple.
The building is a mandala palace in the traditional Indian style and is considered one of the most ancient brick buildings in eastern India that has survived to this day. This is not only a striking monument of Buddhist architecture. Its sacred meaning is to serve as a repository of the highest awareness of the Buddha.
The temple has a multi-tiered pyramidal structure and numerous balconies and garlands on the outside. However, such a variety of decor is not the architect’s whim. Each element has a specific meaning. It is associated with the qualities and perfect attributes of the Buddhas and their aspects.
Buddha Shakyamuni “resides” inside the Mahabodhi Temple: his huge statue is in the central hall.
The temple complex includes the sacred Bodhi tree, even more famous than the temple itself. It is believed that Buddha meditated under its shade.
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Sanchi Stupa
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The Sanchi Stupa is an outstanding monument of early Buddhist architecture, as well as one of the oldest surviving Indian structures.
According to history, the Sanchi Stupa is the first of its kind. It was built under the order of Emperor Ashoka. The structure itself is very simple. The rounded stone base is crowned with a grand hemisphere of several layers of mud brick masonry. The cladding is made with red sandstone blocks.
The stupa is surrounded by a fence with four gates, which are oriented in cardinal directions. The crossbars are decorated with eye-catching patterns and sculptures.
The Sanchi complex also includes other ancient architectural landmarks such as the Ashoka Pillars, centuries-old temples, and an archaeological museum, that houses a rich collection of ancient antiquities.
The site itself, serenely rising above the vast open plains, still exudes the majestic calm that must have attracted the ancient architects.
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Ajanta
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Ajanta is a temple monastery of the first Buddhists in the world. Buddhism also originated in India. The Ajanta cave complex is a huge rock, shaped like a horseshoe, and contains 29 caves. Here, you can see amazing frescoes, sculptures, and bas-reliefs.
The skill of the ancient artists who decorated the temples is extraordinary. Watching the frescoes and sculptures creates many illusions. Or maybe they aren’t illusions? By the way, the Indians knew the secret of the luminous paints at the start of the first millennium. It remains unsolved.
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Ellora
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There are 34 temples in the Ellora caves: 17 Hindu, 12 Buddhist, 5 Jain. They were built in the 6th-9th centuries.
The Kailasanatha (“Top of the World”) Temple is carved out of a single rock from top to bottom. This method of production was not used anywhere else. During construction, 400,000 tons of rock were excavated. You’ll need more than an hour to explore the temple fully. Its surface is completely covered in carvings and reliefs depicting scenes from myths.
Tin Thal Tin Thal (three floors) is another unique temple. Stone stairs lead into huge halls, and grandiose statues stand before us from the outer halls.
Rameshvara Temple meets with columns in the form of beautiful girls, and mythological creatures look out from the walls.
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The cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora are pretty close, making them a great combo to check out when you’re in India. Just 100 kilometers apart, it’s easy to visit these ancient complexes one after the other. But don’t try to do it all in one day.
Mahabalipuram
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The monuments of Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram) were built during the Pallava rule. In ancient times, from the 4th to the 9th centuries, Mahabalipuram was a famous harbor city and a religious center. It was where famous sculptors worked, creating statues of the gods. They were left for posterity to admire.
The Mahabalipuram temple complex includes 40 ancient monuments and Hindu temples. Among them:
Including one of the world’s largest open-air rock paintings: “Descent of Ganga” or “Arjuna’s Penance” (length 27 m, height – 9 m). It is considered one of the best Indian bas-reliefs.
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Mahabalipuram is only 60 kilometers from Chennai (Madras), making it convenient to visit on the way to Pondicherry. It is also a beach resort.
Pattadakal
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Pattadakal (also called Raktapura) was the capital of the Chalukya kingdom in the 7th century. It held royal ceremonies and was the cultural center of the state. Today, little remains of its former glory.
There are 8 temples in Pattadakal – 4 are built in the Dravidian style (southern) and 4 in the Nagara style (northern style).
The most famous and beautiful temple is Virupaksha – built in 740 by order of the wife of Vikramaditya II, in honor of the victory of her royal spouse over the Pallava Empire. The temple is made entirely of stone, with intricate sculptures that convey strong emotions.
Sangameshvara’s also worth checking out – it’s the biggest and oldest temple in town, and it has a Dravidian architecture style. This one was constructed from 697 to 733 under the orders of Vijayaditya, one of the last rulers of the Chalukya dynasty.
It is also worth paying attention to Malikarjuna – the “brother” of Virupaksha, built much later, but in the same style.
Another old Jain temple is a couple of kilometers from the city – you can recognize it by the stone elephants at the entrance. If you climb on the roof, the whole area will be in the palm of your hand.
Delhi Historical Places
Delhi is the capital of India and the gateway to the country for many tourists. The city is home to many fascinating historical sites.
Qutab Minar
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The Qutab Minar (Qutub Minar, Qutb Minar) is the tallest brick minaret in the world, at 73 meters. It is dedicated to the victory over the Rajput ruler of Delhi. The first Delhi sultans built only the structure’s first floor; subsequent sultans added four more floors to the minaret.
The minaret’s filigree ornaments, in Arabic script, promised heavenly bliss to the faithful and hellish torment to everyone else. This was a completely new word in Indian architecture.
According to Muslim law, figures of animals and people, especially statues, were not used in the decoration of the Qutub Minar.
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Another miracle is near the Qutab Minar – a seven-meter pillar forged from iron in the 4th century BC. Indians believe that touching the sacred artifact is guaranteed to bring happiness.
Humayun’s Tomb
The mausoleum of Emperor Humayun (Gamayun) from the Mughal dynasty stands on a high platform and is crowned with a light white marble dome. The tomb was built by his widow in 1565 according to the design of the famous Persian architect of that time, Mirza Ghiyas. The architect was the first in India to provide the tomb with a park garden with paved paths and canals. Subsequently, such gardens became an attribute of the architectural ensembles of the Mughal period.
This place is sometimes called the “tomb of the Timurid house” due to the many graves of relatives of the Mughal emperors and court nobility.
At the entrance to the mausoleum, on the right, in a courtyard separated by a high wall, are the tomb and mosque of Isa Khan, an influential aristocrat of that time (built in 1547). In the southeastern corner of the garden stands a tomb with a blue mosaic dome, built, as legend has it, by Humayun’s father Emperor Babur in honor of his favorite barber.
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Beyond the fence of the complex are the Arab-Sarai, built in the mid-16th century for Arabian pilgrims, the “Nila Burj” (“Blue Tower”), and some other monuments.
Historical Monuments around Agra
Agra offers more than just the iconic Taj Mahal, with many other unmissable attractions waiting to be explored. Here are a few of the most popular.
Agra Fort
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First, a small fortification was built in the 11th century. During Akbar’s reign in the 16th century, it underwent significant expansion. Inside the fort, magnificent apartments were created for the rulers. The fortress had double red sand and stone walls, surrounded by a 10-meter-deep moat filled with crocodiles.
His descendant Shah Jahan rebuilt Agra Fort two centuries later. He added strong round bastions to the defenses. The walls were decorated with white marble, precious stones, and gold. The interior was designed like the Taj Mahal.
The most famous is the Jahangiri Mahal palace complex, which is made of white stone. The spacious halls of the multi-tiered palace with colorful paintings on the walls amaze the imagination, as does the mysterious stone bowl with inscriptions. The Pearl Mosque, the Diwani Khas audience hall, and the Shish Mahal bath in the Mirror Palace are worth seeing. Walking around the territory of Agra Fort, you can see various palaces, pavilions, and columns, and admire the well-groomed lawns.
From the balconies of certain pavilions, there is a wonderful view of the Yamuna River and the Taj Mahal.
Fatehpur Sikri
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Fatehpur Sikri was the Mughal Empire’s capital under Akbar I, but the capital was moved to Agra due to the observance of waters. Now, Fatehpur Sikri is a “ghost town”, although more than 250 thousand people live there.
Fatehpur Sikri’s architecture combines Hindu, Jain, and Islamic styles and is built mainly with red sandstone.
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From a distance, you can see Buland Darwaza, one of the world’s largest gateways, also known as the “Gate of Splendor”. It’s a traditional Mughal structure with Koran carvings and arches.
The palace complex has three notable buildings. Ankh Michauli, the old treasury, has walls decorated with mythical sea creatures that act as talismans. Jodh Bai’s Palace combines Hindu and Muslim styles. Nearby is Hawa Mahal, a stone lattice structure.
Naubat Khana is a drum house used during ceremonies for guests visiting the emperor.
Also of interest is the five-story Birbal Bhavan Palace; the Panch Mahal Palace, the roof of which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area; the house of Raja Birbal (Birbal’s House), as well as the Caravan Serai and the 21-meter-high Hiran Minar Tower.
The complex includes one of India’s finest examples of Mughal architecture, the Jama Masjid mosque, built in 1580–1581. In front of the entrance to the mosque is the marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti (Tomb of Salim Chishti) with carved lattices and intricate ornaments (on the top photo).
Fatehpur Sikri is famous for its sweets – nankhatai (shortbread).
Less-Known Historical Places in India
There’s more to India than just its most famous landmarks – the country has plenty of other historical gems that aren’t quite as well known.
Hoysala Temples
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The Hoysala dynasty developed a one-of-a-kind style that set it apart from other Hindu and Jain temples. Their temples followed a star-shaped layout, with a base featuring nine rows of intricate carvings. Inside these temples, you’d find pillars, columns, and ceilings covered in plant-like patterns, figures of deities, and celestial beings. The ceiling was often the focal point, with extremely detailed designs.
The beautiful decorations we see were made from a special kind of material. This material is soft and flexible, yet strong enough to keep the unique shapes created by the skilled carvers intact. The talented artisans of the Hoysala dynasty chose not to use sandstone, which was common before, or the hard and brittle granite that the Eastern Ganga dynasty favored. Instead, they embraced “soap” stone, also known as steatite. They crafted detailed decorative pieces and free-standing figures while still being soft and easy to work with, and they adorned temple walls with them. Over time, as it was exposed to sunlight, rain, and wind, the steatite became even stronger, reaching a durability similar to that of metal.
Three famous temples are UNESCO Heritage sites: Chennakeshava in Belur, Hoysaleswara in Halebidu, and Keshava in Somanathapura. Other popular temples include Kedareshwar in Balligavi, Vira Narayana in Belavadi, and Chennakesava in Somanathapura. Twenty-five Hoysala-era temples remain, and each is worth a visit.
Rani Ki Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell)
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Rani Ki Vav is one of the most famous wells in India. It was built on the bank of the Saraswati River by order of Queen Udayamati in memory of her late husband.
Wells first appeared in India around 300 BC due to the arid climate. People dug holes in sandy soil, finding underground water, and later turned these into historic landmarks. Rani Ki Vav was built during the period when the skill of Indian architects reached its apogee. The method of creating many step wells was called Maru-Gurjara.
Rani Ki Vav translates to “well of the queen’s steps.” The shape is like an upside-down cone, and the staircase is roughly split into seven sections. These sections are hand-crafted from sculptures – over 500 big and 1000 small ones. The tank itself is 23 meters deep.
At the last step going down to the water, you’ll find a tunnel that’s 30 km long. It connects to the city of Sidhpur, right next to Patan. This secret passage was built as an escape route in case of war, but now it’s blocked off with stones.In the 13th century, a massive earthquake buried the Saraswati River. It was a hidden well for seven centuries. Archaeologists only recently stumbled upon Rani ki vav, less than 30 years ago.
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In the 13th century, a massive earthquake buried the Saraswati River. It was a hidden well for seven centuries. Archaeologists only recently stumbled upon Rani ki vav, less than 30 years ago.
The next historical monument, mentioned below, is 36 kilometers from Rani ki Vav. You can visit both attractions in one day if you have limited time.
Modhera Sun Temple
An architectural masterpiece of the Golden Age of the Solanki Empire, the Surya Mandir in Modhera is one of the outstanding landmarks of Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya.
This structure runs east to west, so the sun shines directly on all the buildings during the day. At noon, the sun even shines right into the main sanctuary, known as the garbhagriha.
All the buildings of the temple are gathered around the kunda, which is an artificial lake. The banks of this lake are beautifully arranged in terraced steps that lead down to the water. This reservoir is shaped like an inverted pyramid and was once filled to the brim with water.
Steps run from the reservoir up to the sanctuary. As you climb, you’ll come to a pair of columns that were once part of an arched entrance. Right behind them is the main entrance hall with as many as 12 images of the Sun God, a number that matches the months of the year. Next, you’ll find the Sabha Mandapa, an assembly hall, and behind that is the Nritya Mandapa, a dance hall. The route culminates in the garbhagriha, featuring carvings of nearly every god in the Indian pantheon.
Every year at the end of the third week of January, the Modhera Dance Festival is held on the Modhera Temple grounds. It lasts for three days. For the festival, the building is decorated and beautifully illuminated, and traditional Indian dances are demonstrated on its grounds. Professional dancers from all over the country come to the festival.
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Gol Gumbaz
The Gol Gumbaz mausoleum iwas built by Sultan Muhammad Adil Shah, the ruler of Bijapur. The name Gol Gumbaz translates from Persian as “Round Dome”. The building is the final resting place of the Sultan and his family. It is a prime example of Deccan Islamic architecture.
Gol Gumbaz’s main attraction is its massive dome, held up by four huge arches. These arches are covered in intricate carvings and ornate details. The building stands about 51 meters tall, and the dome is about 44 meters wide. Its dome is one of the world’s largest and ranks as the third largest that isn’t supported. The structure is surrounded by eight towers, each one uniquely shaped and designed. Inside, you’ll find walls and ceilings adorned with Islamic-style geometric patterns and calligraphy.
Gol Gumbaz is also known for its amazing acoustics. The dome’s interior causes an echo effect that repeats sounds multiple times. You can really notice this in the Whispering Gallery, where even the quietest whisper can be heard on the other side of the room.
Bijapur Railway Station is just a 4-minute distance from Gol Gumbaz. If you’re traveling from Bangalore, you can book the Gol Gumbaz Express or Basava Express.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
The Bibi Ka Maqbara (Lady’s Tomb) was built by Prince Azam Shah in honor of his mother. The mausoleum is strikingly similar to the famous Taj Mahal, built by Azam Shah’s grandfather, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. That is why it is often called the Taj of the Deccan. Here you can see beautiful wall paintings and carved decoration; in a word, everything that is characteristic of the Mughal architectural style. Comparisons with the Taj Mahal often obscure Bibi ka Maqbara’s own significant charm.
The mausoleum looks picturesque against the backdrop of a wonderful garden. Artificial ponds, fountains, wide alleys, and an plenty of greenery – all captivate tourists.
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
Photo by Kandukuru Nagarjun
This is one of the oldest mosques in India and the oldest surviving monument in Ajmer. The temple’s name translates to “hut in two and a half days” and comes from a legend that it was built in exactly that amount of time. According to historical information, the mosque was built on the site of a Jain sanctuary by the order of Qutb al-Din Aibak in 1192.
It is known for its unique architecture, which is a mixture of Hindu and Islamic styles.
Photo by Andrea Kirkby
These are just a few examples of the main historical monuments of India, but there are many more, each with its own unique history and significance. India’s historical monuments are a testament to its diverse cultural landscape and continue to inspire wonder and awe in people from around the world.