The list will make you travel in the country by educating yourself on its history. These UNESCO world heritage site has been attracting people from all over the globe to visit and explore the hidden treasures every year.
The attraction of a destination is often related to landmarks or heritage sites it holds, and the grandeur of such places often enhances the charm of visiting that particular place. There are many well-known heritage sites in India that have witnessed a great deal of history and have seen dynasties changing hands multiple times.
The old Rajputana dynasty capital of Delhi, the Red Fort, is one of India’s most famous heritage sites. It is considered one of the 14 wonders of the world and was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1987. The fort is situated at an intersection of two major routes that have come to be known as the Ledger and the Great River. Built between 1406 and 1447, it was the largest fortified building in Delhi at its peak. It contained over 1,000 buildings, many of which are still standing today.
Jahangir’s tomb, Ahmedabad, is the first garden-tomb in India and is located in Shahibaug, a suburb area of Ahmedabad. The mausoleum was built by Sultan Muzaffar Shah of Gujarat between 1569-1572 in honor of his father, Humayun. However, several other tombs were built at the site under Jahangir from 1713-1715 and Nader Shah from 1739 to 1747. These structures all surround the original tomb, which has a single large dome resting on an octagonal drum.
Once you’ve chosen to visit Delhi, there’s one place everybody would want to see. It has a glorious history that dates back all the way to the 11th century and is built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak. The place is none other than the Qutb Minar, one of New Delhi’s most well-known historical monuments. Depending on your mood, either climb up the tower or enjoy the view from ground level!
The Qutub Minar is an astonishing building. It is the highest brick minaret globally, with a distinct height of 72 meters. Qutub-ud-Din Aibak built this red sandstone structure in 1199 A.D. to mark the victory of Mohammed Ghori over Prithviraj Chauhan at the first battle of Tarain and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most significant ancient structures in India. Its five storeys are architecturally unique and display different combinations of carved balconies, tracery windows, wooden doors and enclosures.
Elephanta Caves are among the most magnificent monuments of Archaeology in India. Situated on an island north of the Gateway of India in Mumbai Harbour, the Elephanta Caves are a group of five rock-cut cave temples under basalt cliffs. If you are an adventure seeker and love exploring the artworks inside ancient temples, Elephanta Caves is just the right place for you. These natural caves have been carved out of rock containing ancient Hindu sculptures.
This famous monument in the city of Agra was completed in 1653. It is known for its striking marble decoration and is one of India’s universally admired masterpieces of world heritage sites. One of the wonders of the world, it attracts over 10 million visitors a year. It is one of the most romantic stories ever told and an exemplary monument showing how architecture can express the ultimate love.
The Charminar monument of Hyderabad is one of the most famous monuments in India, and Charminar also happens to be one of the tourist attractions in Hyderabad. It is located at the center of the city and hence forms a nostalgic landmark to many. It can be seen on almost every postcard because it is just that iconic! The “four minarets” of Charminar are the most iconic landmark of the city, and it is a beautiful example of Deccani architecture that combines elements from Persian and Kerala styles.
The Chittorgarh Fort is built on a hilltop and is spread over a vast area. It’s also ancient, and a large number of rooms, palace halls, and temples that are inside it mean there’s so much to see. The inner fortifications are a treat for historians. For one thing, the Kumbha Palace inside the fort has intricately carved walls made using stones given by different rulers during the 15th-16th century. There’s also the Rani Padmini’s palace, which has an upper storey that’s only accessible by climbing up a ladder. This can be found in the Pathikhawdi Palace of Chittorgarh fort.
Hampi is a site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is situated in the Bellary District of Karnataka. Traveling to Hampi will take you centuries back in time to when the Vijayanagara Empire was in its prime. True to its name, Hampi houses various temples and monuments that bear testament to the prosperity achieved by the kingdom. The landscape makes the trip all worth it as there are rocky hills, colorful houses and roofs of traditional Kannada architecture.
Jodhpur fort, also famously known as Mehrangarh Fort, is a historic fort located in Jodhpur, India. You can watch the sunset here, but it gets crowded. A Jain temple inside the fort is well worth visiting. Jodhpur is the land of the blue city and the magnificent fort. It has a historical connection with different dynasties, and it keeps going until this time. It is 750 years old, and UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage site.
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