15 Most Famous Historical Monuments Of India To Visit

India is a land of social, cultural and religious diversity. The rich and diverse culture of the country has a deep root in its history.

Exploration of Indian history from Indus Valley Civilization, through the invasion of Mughals till the present day, shows that it had been dynamic throughout due to migration, invasion and expansion of other nations.

The rich cultural diversity of the country is reflected in the distinctive features of these famous monuments.

India is The Land of Rich Historical Places and if we keep a count of them…they will run in hundreds!

Here we try to list down- “Top 15 Famous Historical Monuments of India” which have been a great tourist attraction for the country.

15 Most Popular Historical Monuments Of India

1. Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh:

 

This white marble enormous mausoleum is a beauty on the bank of river Yamuna is undoubtedly the face of India.

It was designed by famous Mughal architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and completed in 1648, and till date, its architecture mesmerises all the visitors.

Interesting Facts-

• This is the best contribution of Mughal architecture to India and proudly takes place among the “Seven Wonders of the World”.
• The epic love story of Shah Jahan and his Begum Mumtaz behind its construction makes it an epitome of love and attracts tourists from all walks of life across the Globe.
• It is the greatest masterpiece of Indo-Islamic

How To Get There-

There is no direct flight to Agra through the airport is functional.

The nearest airport is Delhi Airport, and then a train can be taken to Agra.

During foggy weather December – January the fights and trains can be delayed causing a lot of inconveniences.

We can get more information about the timings, cost of tickets etc. on their official website www.tajmahal.gov.in

Also Read: 20 Most Popular National Parks in India

2. Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh:

 

Built by Emperor Akbar, this historical monument of India symbolises power, strength and resilience.

It is like a city inside the city and has many breathtaking architect specimens.

Interesting Facts-

• Diwan-e-Khas, Jahangiri Mahal and Akbari Mahal are some of the critical architectural highlights of this fort.
• Shah Jahan used the fort as a palace and later on Aurangzeb converted it into a guided prison. Aurangzeb kept Shah Jahan as a captive in this fort.
• The glorious fort with red sandstone fortifying wall is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and is a witness to many historical events.
• It is like a walled city and was a residence to Mughal emperor till 1638 when the capital city was shifted to Delhi.

How To Get There-

The flight from Delhi to Agra is less than an hour long.

The nearest airport is Kheria airport which is 13 kilometres away from Agra city.

We can visit www.agrafort.gov.in for more details.

3. Qutub Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi:

 

This tower is one of the most famous monuments in the history of India.

The inner and outer courtyards of the mosque are decorated with shafts and surrounded by pillars.

Interesting Facts-

• Qutub-ud-Din-Aibak built this tower after the last Hindu ruler was defeated and is reckoned to be built to celebrate “The Beginning of Mughal Rule in India”.
• The majestic size of this 73 m high tower and its magnificent view attract tourists.
• Quwwat-ul-Islam, the mosque at the foot of the tower is believed to be the oldest mosque of India.
• The Qutb festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance takes place every year in October/November.

How To Get There-

Now it is convenient and accessible to reach this Indian monument.

One can take a metro ride to Qutub Minar station and then an auto ride for another 1 Km.

Also Read: Top 10 Breathtaking Waterfalls In India

4. Red Fort, New Delhi:

This fort has massive enclosing walls of red. Constructed by Shah Jahan in 1657, this fort was a palace and residence for Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years till 1857.

It was the political centre of Mughal governance.

This fort in Delhi is a pride of the country and each year on Independence Day, the tricolour flag is hoisted here and addresses the nation from this fort.

It houses some best museums and thus is known to be one of the famous historical tourist places in India.

Interesting Facts-

• Architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri designed it. It has been declared as “UNESCO Heritage Sites” in 2007.
• Mumtaz Mahal, Rang Mahal, Khas Mahal, Hira Mahal, Moti Masjid and Hammam are some of the main attraction.
• It is believed that the famous– “Kohinoor diamond” was a part of its decoration.

How To Get There-

The nearest railway station and airport is Delhi and the nearest metro station is Chandni Chowk which is 1.5 kilometers from the monument.

5. India Gate, New Delhi:

The famous monument of India – India Gate is often referred to as Replica of “Arc de Triomphe” in France.

The names of these martyrs are carved on this Indian monument.

It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, a leading war memorial designer of the time.

Interesting Facts-

• It was initially named as “All India War Memorial”.
• This 42 m tall historical monument was completed in 1931 as a Dedication to 70,000 Indian Soldiers who lost their lives during World War 2.
• The architectural design is that of Triumphal Arch and red and yellow sandstones, and granites were used to build this war memorial.
• Amar Jawan Jyoti was later added to the structure after Indo-Pak war in 1971.

How To Get There-

India Gate is easily accessible to any part of Delhi by road transportations like bus, car, taxis and auto rickshaw.

The nearest Metro station is Central Secretariat.

6. Gateway of India, Mumbai, Maharashtra:

The historical monument, Gateway of India has become a symbol of the city of Mumbai.

George Wittet was the architect behind the masterpiece.

This beautiful masterpiece has become one of the most popular tourist spots of India.

Interesting Facts-

• It was built to commemorate the royal visit of King George V, and this bold basalt arch symbolises the colonial triumph.
• It is a masterpiece in Indo-Saracenic with Islamic influence
• Though it was completed in 1924, it was done in Islamic style of 16^th century Gujarati architecture.

How To Get There-

Churchgate is the nearest railway station.

From there one can take a taxi (individual or shared) to reach this famous monument. BEST buses from all parts of the city can also be made to reach the place.

Also Read: 10 Amazing Honeymoon Destinations in India

7. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, West Bengal:

Situated on the bank of Hooghly River, this Indian monument was built to commemorate Queen Victoria.

It has become inseparable from the history of Kolkata and has become a symbol of the city.

It was conceptualised by George Curzon, the Viceroy of India.

This building is an acknowledged museum under the Ministry of Culture.

They have an extensive collection of Colonial Era Remnants.

Interesting Facts-

• It is designed in Indo-Saracenic revivalist style and William Emerson, then the president of Royal Institute of British Architect was the chief designer behind the beautiful masterpiece.
• There are 25 galleries that include the Royal Gallery, Sculpture Gallery and Calcutta Gallery among others
• Remarkable collections of paintings, artefacts, weapons, textiles, coins and stamps are the primary possession of the house along with few personal belongings of the Queen like her writing desk
• The monument is also well known for the rare collection of books that are preserved here like Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam and masterpieces of William Shakespeare.

How To Get There-

Kolkata is well connected to national cities and international cities through the airport. Local taxis can be availed to reach here.

For exhibitions, news and events one can visit www.victoriamemorial-cal.org.

8. Mysore Palace, Mysore, Karnataka:

It is a magnificent architectural piece in South India and is also one of the most popular historical places in India.

It is an excellent combination of Indo-Saracen architecture and is also known as “Amba Vilas Palace”.

Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vanivilasa Sannindhana commissioned famous British architect Henry Irwin to build a palace as a tribute to the legacy of Wadiyars and Mysuru.

Interesting Facts-

• The beautiful Durbar hall, the solid silver doors, the finely incised mahogany ceilings and many other embellishments speak volume about the exuberant royal life of the Wadiyars
• The renowned Mysore Dussehra festival is celebrated in the palace.
• The famous masterpiece by Ravi Verma illustrating 8 manifestations of Goddess Shakthi is one of the main attractions here.
• There are 12 Hindu temples inside the palace including the famous Someshvara Temple and Laxmiramana temple.
• The museum displays royal dresses, weapons, souvenirs and musical instruments. Superb paintings can be found inside the palace.

How To Get There-

Mysore is 144 km away from Bangalore which is connected to all national and international cities. One can reach Mysore from Bangalore by KSRTC buses, train or taxi.

9. Hampi, Karnataka:

It is one of the “UNESCO Heritage sites” in India that attracts a lot of visitors each year.

It is an ancient monument and a village located on the banks of Tungabhadra River which is known to be one of longest rivers in India.

The famous stories of Raja Krishnadev Rai seem alive in the city.

Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagara Empire and also an ancient trade centre.

Interesting Facts-

• It is also known as Pamap-Kshetra, Kishkinda-Kshetra or Bhaskara-Kshetra. It is located near Hospet town in Karnataka.
• Hampi has a vast stretch of ancient remnants and is dotted with more than 500 monuments including temples, palaces, aquatic structures, monolithic statues, old market streets, royal pavilions, royal platforms, bastions and treasury buildings.
• Virupaksha temple, Vittala Temple and Hampi Bazaar are the main tourist attractions.

How To Get There-

Hubli is the nearest airport to this historical site and has direct flights from Bangalore.

Hospet Junction(13 Km)  is the nearest train station and Hampi Bus Station(0km), and Hospet bus station (13 km) is the nearest bus station.

10. Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Maharashtra:

They are one of the well preserved historical monument sites of India.

These caves date back to 2^nd Century BC and reflect the lifestyle of early man in the country through rich sculptures, and wall paintings in these rocks cut caves.

It is one of the most visited places by tourists especially from foreign countries in India.

Interesting facts-

• Ajanta caves is mainly a Buddhist cave whereas Ellora caves are Hindu, Jain and Buddhist
• They were built by Hindu Dynasties such as Rashtrakuta dynasty that built some of the Hindu and Buddhist group of caves and Yadav Dynasty that built some of the Jain caves.
• The erotic sculptures are the main attraction of the place.

How To Get There-

Aurangabad is 100km from Ajanta and 30 km from Ellora and is well connected to Mumbai and Pune via road and train.

One can hire a taxi or use state-run buses to reach from Aurangabad.

11. Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab:

This Indian monument has gained a lot of importance in tourism.

Arjan Sahib built this Sikh shrine which is also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib with the help of Baba Budha Ji.

Interesting Facts-

• It is done in Indo-Islamic architecture style.
• The lower level of the temple is adorned with motifs of flowers and animals like Taj Mahal, and the upper level of the temple is glided with sheets of gold
• The pond in the complex is believed to have healing power.

How To Get There-

One can reach Amritsar by air, train or road. The airport is connected to flights from Delhi and Chandigarh.

Trains come from all major cities in India, and the Golden temple is just 15 minutes’ drive from the railway station.

State-run buses and private buses connect the city to important cities like Chandigarh and Delhi.

12. Sun Temple Konark, Odisha:

This monument of India reflects a traditional style of Kalinga Architecture and is believed to be built by King Narsimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty.

It dates back to the 13^th Century AD. The significant part of the structure is in ruins, but still, the majesty of the temple is untouched.

Interesting Facts-

• It is in the shape of a gigantic chariot with Khondalite rock wheels, pillars and walls
• It is built facing the east side so that the first ray of the sun strike the principal entrance only
• The Konark Dance festival organised each year is the main attraction.
• The Konark museum with all ruins of the temple is other tourist attraction.

How to Get There-

Konark is connected by road to major cities like Puri and Bhubaneshwar.

More details can be found at www.thekonark.in

13. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan:

It was built by Raja Jai Singh and was constructed from 1728 to 1734.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is visited by many visitors each day.

Interesting Facts-

• Raja Jai Singh built similar observatories in Delhi, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura. The one in Mathura has entirely disappeared.
• Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest and the best preserved of all the five.
• It was one of the most précised astronomical units of its time, and it is so accurate that it is still used today for astronomical observations and calculations.

How To Get There-

Jaipur has an international airport and a railhead. The place is located nearly 5km from the railway station.

More information can be fetched at www.jantarmantar.org

14. Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh:

This is one of the most famous historical monuments of India situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Emperor Ashoka led the foundations of a religious centre at Sanchi.

Interesting Facts-

• Sanchi is famous for its stupas, monolithic Ashokan pillar, temples, monasteries and sculptures.
• It dates back to the early Mauryan period (3^rd Century BC to 12^th century AD) and is an incredible specimen of Buddhist art and architecture.

How To Get There-

Sanchi is about 40 km from the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal. Bhopal has a good connection with all major cities of India via train and flight.

15. Bahai Temple (Lotus Temple), New Delhi:

A large number of tourists visit this shrine every day.

This is a holy centre for Bahai sect.  

Lotus temple is an ideal modern architecture; it has been talked about a lot due to its beautiful architecture and has received many awards for its unique architecture.

Interesting Facts-

• 27 petal shaped freestanding marbles are arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides giving the shape of a lotus.
• The lotus temple has nine doors that open to a gigantic 40 metres tall central prayer hall that is capable of accommodating 2500 people
• The Bahai Faith behind this construction talks aloud about the secular fabric of the country.

How To Get There-

It can be reached from any part of the city by bus, auto-rickshaw or taxi. The nearest metro station is Kalkaji Metro station.

Other Popular Historical Monuments Of India

Apart from these 15 famous historical places in India, there are several other Monuments of India which are noteworthy.
Some of these monuments of India are mentioned below:

Historical Monuments in Rajasthan-

1. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
2. City Palace, Udaipur
3. Amer Fort, Jaipur
4. Dilwara Temples, Ranakpur
5. Jaisalmer Fort

Historical Monuments in Tamil Nadu-

1. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
2. Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur
3. Gingee Fort, Villupuram District
4. Group of Monuments, Mahabalipuram

Historical Monuments in Telangana-

1. Charminar, Hyderabad
2. Golconda Fort, Hyderabad

Historical Monuments in Madhya Pradesh-

1. Khajuraho, Monuments of India
2. Gwalior Fort

Historical Monuments in Uttar Pradesh-

1. Bara Imambara, Lucknow
2. Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

Other Famous Historical Places in India-

1. Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
2. Group of Monuments, Karnataka
3. Hill Palace Museum, Kerala
4. Jama Masjid, Delhi
5. Kamakhya Temple, Assam

In Conclusion

These are some famous historical monuments of India that are a treat to visit and should be on the BUCKET LIST of places to be visited once in our life.

They stand stoic and are endowed with sagas of rich culture and heritage of India, some told and some untold.