1. Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is considered as the finest example of Mughal
architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Indian, and Islamic
architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the
universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. A white marble tomb
built in 1631 - 48 in Agra, seat of the Mughal Empire, by Shah Jehan for his
wife, Arjuman Banu Begum. And also known as "The Symbol Of Love"
2. Humayun's Tomb
The tomb of Humayun, second Mughal Emperor of India, was
built by his widow, Biga Begum (Hajji Begum), in 1569-70, 14 years after his
death, at a cost of 1.5 million rupees. The architect was Mirak Mirza Ghiyath.
It was later used for the burial of various members of the ruling family and
contains some 150 graves. It has aptly been described as the necropolis of the
Mughal dynasty. And a beauty on the lap of Delhi.
3. Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments. The caves were built in two phases starting around the 2nd century BCE, with the second group of caves built around 400–650 CE according to older accounts, or all in a brief period of 460 to 480. Since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area was previously heavily forested, and after the site ceased to be used the caves were covered by jungle until accidentally rediscovered in 1819 by a British officer on a hunting party. They are Buddhist monastic buildings, apparently representing a number of distinct "monasteries" or colleges. The caves are numbered 1 to 28 according to their place along the path, beginning at the entrance. Several are unfinished and some barely begun and others are small shrines, included in the traditional numbering as e.g. "9A"; "Cave 15A" was still hidden under rubble when the numbering was done. It is a mystical beauty in the history of India.
4. Khajuraho Temples
Khajuraho temples (Madhya Pradesh) were built between 950 and
1050 AD, during the Chandella dynasty. Historical records note that Khajuraho
temple site had 85 temples by 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometres.
Of these, only about 20 temples have survived, spread over 6 square kilometres.
Of the various surviving temples, the Kandariya temple is decorated with a
profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism and expressiveness of
ancient Indian art, The temples are famous for their Nagara-style architectural
symbolism and their erotic sculptures. The Khajuraho group of temples were
built together but were dedicated to two schools of Hinduism and to Jainism -
suggesting a tradition of acceptance and respect for diverse religious views
among Hindus and Jains. It is one of the earth's undecaying monuments.
5. Konark Sun Temple
The name Konark is derived from the words Kona - Corner and
Arka - Sun. This temple built in 1278 CE by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva, at Puri, Odisha is one of the grandest temples of India and
was referred to as the Black Pagoda. The ruins of this temple were excavated in
late 19th century. The tower over the Garbagriha is missing, however the
Jagmohana is intact, and even in this state, it is awe inspiring. The temple
was originally built at the mouth of the river Chandrabhaga. but the waterline
has receded since then. The temple has been built in the form of a giant
ornamented chariot of the Sun god, Surya. It has twelve pairs of elaborately
carved stone wheels some of which are 3 meters wide and is pulled by seven
pairs of horses. The temple follows the traditional style of Kalinga
architecture. It is carefully oriented towards the east so that the first rays
of sunrise strikes the principal entrance. The temple is built from Khondalite
rocks. Odisha's coat of arms is a konarak horse sculpture inside the chariot
wheel, representing the state's rich history.
6. Hampi Monuments
Hampi traditionally known as Pampa-kshetra, Kishkinda-kshetra
or Bhaskara-kshetra (situated in the state of Karnataka), is derived from Pampa
, which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River on whose southern banks the
city is built. The name "Hampi" is an anglicized version of the
Kannada Hampe (derived from Pampa). The emperor Ashoka's minor rock edicts in Bellary
district leads one to believe that this region was within the Ashokan kingdom
during the 3rd century BC. A Brahmi inscription & a terracotta seal dating
to the 2nd century AD were also discovered from the excavation site. The first
historical settlements in Hampi date back to 1 CE. It is a magnificent
architectural piece, which shows the ancient Indian history and culture.
7. Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri (now in Uttarpradesh) is a city founded in
1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar, and served as the capital of the Mughal
Empire from 1571 to 1585. After his military victories over Chittor and
Ranthambore, Akbar decided to shift his capital from Agra to a new location 23
miles (37 km) W.S.W on the Sikri ridge, to honor the Sufi saint Salim Chishti. He
named the city, Fatehabad, with Fateh, a word of Arabic origin in Persian,
meaning "victorious." it was later called Fatehpur Sikri. It is at
Fatehpur Sikri that the legends of Akbar and his famed courtiers, the nine jewels
or Navaratnas, were born. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best preserved
collections of Indian Mughal architecture in India.
8. Sanchi Stupa
The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh is the oldest
stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka
the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick
structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a
parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and
shelter the relics. The construction work of this stupa was overseen by
Ashoka's wife, Devi herself, who was the daughter of a merchant of Vidisha.
Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka's
wedding. In the 1st century BCE, four profusely carved toranas or ornamental
gateways and a balustrade encircling the whole structure was added. One of the
greatest Buddhist monuments showing the rich history of India.
9. Mahabalipuram
An ancient historic town and was a bustling seaport during
the time of Periplus (1st century CE) and Ptolemy (140 CE). Ancient Indian
traders who went to countries of South East Asia sailed from the seaport of
Mahabalipuram. By the 7th century it was a port city of South Indian dynasty of
the Pallavas. It has a group of sanctuaries, which was carved out of rock along
the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries : rathas (temples in the form
of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the
famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the Shore Temple, with thousands of
sculptures to the glory of Shiva. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram has
been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an average elevation of
12 metres (39 feet). The modern city of Mahabalipuram was established by the
British Raj in 1827. And a great historical place in India representing its
architectural beauty.
10. Pattadakal
Pattadakal, place for Chalukyas Coronation, was the capital
of the Chalukya dynasty of Karnataka in Southern India. The Chalukyas built
many temples here between the 7th and 9th century. The Chalukya style
originated in Aihole (450), Architects experimented with different styles,
blended the Nagara and Dravidian styles, and evolved their own distinctive
style. At Pattadakal, the Chalukya kings were crowned. In the middle of the 7th
century. UNESCO in 1987 included Pattadakal in its list of World Heritage
sites. The group of 8th century monuments in Pattadakal are the culmination of
the earliest experiments in the vesara style of Hindu temple architecture. The
town displays both Dravidian (Southern) and the Nagara (Northern, Indo-Aryan)
styles of temple architecture.
Information Source: wikipedia
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