India is a subcontinent that can also be referred to as a treasure trove of wonder. It is an enchanting subcontinent which takes the tourists in a joyride and offers them absolute euphoria. Depending in the brilliance of the architecture seen here, the country is full of structural wonders built here throughout history.
These structures include temples, monuments, palaces, forts, et cetera. Read on to find below twenty-five wonders in the country which keeps on attracting tourists here from all over the world.
Here are the List of Top 25 Historical Wonders of India
1. The Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
Even though the British rule in India had been ruthless at times, that period had also provided us with some marvellous architectural gems. One such example is the Victoria Memorials located in Kolkata.
This is a symbol of the glory of the British rule in India and is also the combination of both the British as well as the Mughal architectural. It was inaugurated in the year 1921 as a tribute to Queen Victoria. Currently the Victoria Memorial holds several maps, weapons, paintings, coins and many more historical things.
2. India Gate, New Delhi
The very first monument that comes to our mind while talking about architecture in Delhi is the India Gate.
It is the greatest epitome of Tourism of Delhi. Originally, this was known as the All India War Memorial which held the name of all the Indian soldiers that lost their life during the First World War.
The construction of this monument was finished in the year 1931.
3. Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
Another one of the spectacular monuments in India is the Golconda Fort. Located in the western part of Hyderabad, this monument is a perfect example of the splendid Cultural Heritage of Ancient India.
This monument was built under the reign of Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah in the year 1525 as a symbol of the Nawabi Culture in India. The popularity of the fort is mainly because of the diamond trade here. It is also a famous theory that the Kohinoor trade had originated here.
4. Gateway of India, Mumbai
Right on the shore of the Arabian Sea, in the city of Mumbai, is located the beautiful monument, also known as the Gateway of India.
The monument is built with basalt rock of yellow colour and of reinforced concrete. This monument is a symbol of the prosperity of Mumbai all over the world.
The archway at Apollo Bunder was constructed by the Government of India and it was their way of trying to honour the British King and Queen, George V and Mary in the year 1911. It was designed my George Willet, who is also a renowned architect of British India.
Read more about - Gateway of India
5. Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh
One of the greatest examples of the Buddhist Culture and Architecture in India is the Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh.
This is a few of the most preserved architectural buildings in C entral India and is extremely famous. It was built under the reign of Shunga and has many decorative stairways and railings decorating it.
The design and motifs of this monument is also beautifully with designs and themes. A figure of a tree her an a few other inanimate objects symbolise the presence of Buddha here.
Read more - Travel Guide to Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh
6. Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
The residence of the President of India is another one of the Wonders in India.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan is a very fascinating building in India. It is a British monument and is located in the capital of India, Delhi. It is another one of the examples of the British architectural intelligence in India.
Originally, this was the residence of Lord Erwin who was the Governor General and Viceroy of India in the year 1931. You need to make an online booking beforehand if you want to visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
7. Charminar, Hyderabad
If you visit Hyderabad, the trip to this city will always be incomplete if you don’t pay a visit to the monument here called Char Minar. The literal meaning of the name is the mosque of four minarets.
This monument is also renowned as the Arc De Triomphe of the East. It was built in the year 1591 by Mohammed Quli Shah, who was the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty. The four minars are to pay respect to the four caliphs of Islamism.
8. Lake Palace, Udaipur
Lake Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan, is one of the most romantic places in India. It was built in the year 1746 by Maharaja Jai Singh II.
The view and beauty of this place is even more magnified because of its location, that id right in the middle of the Pichola Lake in Udaipur.
The Aravalli Hills, the Pichola Lake, and the Palace, all three of these together make this place a perfectly romantic place and thus is also the place where scenes for several Bollywood movies have been recorded.
Udaipur is famous as one of the most romantic city of India.
Explore more about Udaipur
9. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest Sundial in the whole world and only had a lag of 2 seconds from the local time.
It is the largest stone observatory in the universe and was constructed in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh. There are nearly fourteen geometric devices here that are used to calculate the time of the day and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.
10. Konarak Sun Temple, Orissa
In the state of Orissa, the Konarak Sun Temple is one of the most famous tourist sites. This magnificent temple is a symbol of the way the sun roams on a Regal Chariot. The Sun Temple is also famous as the Black Pagoda. This temple takes the tourists back to the time of the empire of Kalinga.
11. Mysore Palace, Mysore
The Mysore Palace is one of the grandest buildings in the entire country located in South India. It was destroyed in the year 1897 because of a fire and then it was rebuilt again by the British architect named Henry Irwin. The structure is significantly beautiful and attracts a large number of tourists here.
12. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
The Hawa Mahal is a wonderful building built with pink sandstone and is five storeys high. It was built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in the year 1799 and has a very scenic view through the windows here. It is also named as Palace of Winds and famous landmark of Jaipur.
Read more about Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
13. Taj Mahal, Agra
The Taj Mahal is not only a wonder in India, but is also one of the Seven Wonders in the World. Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
It is a symbol of eternal love, built by Shah Jahan after the death of his wife - Mumtaz Mahal. It was built with white marble and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The architectural magnificence of this place leaves the tourists awestruck and it looks like something out of a magical land. Taj Mahal is not only visited by Indian but it is also visited by foreigners throughout the year. Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.
Read more about Taj Mahal in Agra
14. Nalanda University, Bihar
The first university in India was located in Bihar and is called the Nalanda University. It was one the largest learning centre in India for the Buddhists and the students could also reside here.
It was founded by the Gupta Rulers in the 5th Century. The building was nine storeys high. It is also a very widespread belief that Lord Buddha had visited this university during his last visit.
15. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is built to honour the Lord Shiva. The original temple was constructed by Kulasekara Pandya.
However, the credit of the one seen today completely goes to the Nayaks. There is a high wall which encloses the complex of the temple and is the sanctum for Lord Shiva and his wife, Parvati. There are 12 goporas here which are very impressive.
16. Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikhri
The literal meaning of the name Buland Darwaza is ‘Stentorian Gate’. It was built in the year 1601 by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar and it was a symbol of his victory of the state of Gujarat.
With an elevation of 40 metres and a width of 35 metres, this is the largest gate in the world. It is built with red sandstone and is beautifully decorated with carvings on the marbles. These inscriptions are renowned as calligraphy and are a reflection of the religiously liberal regards of ‘Akbar the Great’.
17. Lotus Temple, New Delhi
The Temple in New Delhi is constructed in the shape of a lotus flower. The structure is extremely fascinating and was built in the year 1986 and was built in the middle of some very beautiful gardens. It is built with some pure white marble and looks beautiful even from a distance.
It is a common symbol of respect to all the religions, be it Hindu, Islam, Buddhism or Jainism. Tourists from all over the world visit this place.
Read more about Lotus Temple in Delhi
18. Cellular Jail, Andaman and Nicobar
Even today, there is not a single person who is grateful to the freedom fighters of the country. The Cellular Jail in Andaman was the place where some very major freedom fighters were jailed here.
The stories related to this Jail are so gruesome that they can utter resentment against the British Rule. The construction of this place was finished in the year 1906 and contains a total of 698 dark cells. This building which was originally made to hold freedom fighters captive is now a symbol of their bravery.
19. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is also an UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. This place is also known as Victoria Terminus. The architecture of this terminus is so beautiful that it is admired all over the world.
The terminus was designed by F.W. Stevens. The architecture here is so beautiful that is not only an attraction for the tourists here but is also to the locals here.
20. Qutub Minar, Delhi
The Qutub Minar is a place which gives you a feeling of a stereotypical tourist destination. It was built by Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak and the construction was finished during the era of his son, Iltutmish. The tower has five storeys and is built in an Afghan Style.
Read more about Qutub Minar in Delhi
21. Ajanta and Elora Caves, Maharashtra
One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India is the Ajanta and Elora Caves, which is a set of twenty-nine caves. These caves are an epitome of the ancient Buddhist Civilisation in India.
These caves also hold several paintings which depict the famous Jataka tales various other stories related to Lord Buddha. These caves are filled with serenity and tranquillity and are an example of the wonderful imagination and engineering excellence of the previous era.
22. Gol Gumbaz, Karnataka
The Gol Gumbaz in Karnataka is located in the Bijapur District. It is the second largest dome in the whole planet, the first being the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The architecture of the Gol Gumbaz is very unique, the four minarets here themselves act as a staircase. The acoustical system of this monument is the most elegant element of this system. Even the lowest of the sounds can echo around the dome here.
23. Ruins of Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi is a place in India that is sure to leave the tourists who are history buffs, spellbound. This place has some marvellous natural beauty. It is very fascinating how centuries of volcanic activity has made this place so scenic. Formerly, it was the capital of the empire of Vijaynagar and is an amazing tourist spot.
24. Red Fort, Delhi
In the year 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India had declared the independence of this country by hoisting the tricoloured flag in the Red Fort.
The Red Fort is a very prominent symbol of the integrity and prestige of the country. It was built by the Mughal Ruler Shah Jahan. It is one of the best constructions made during the Mughal era and is built with red sandstone.
In Red Fort there is Sound and Light Show held everyday at 6 pm in the evening in which the Mughal history of India has been described or narrated in Hindi as well as in English language.
25. Vivekanda Rock Memorial, Kanya Kumari
The last but not the least, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Vavuthurai, Kanya Kumari, is another one of the must visit tourist spots in India. It was constructed in the year 1970 and was a way to pay tribute to Swami Vivekanada. It is also a known fact there that Swami Vivekanada used to meditate on this rock.
You can easily opt for any of the above mentioned wonders in India for the next vacation that you are planning. Rest assured, no matter which place you choose, you will have an amazing experience and a bag full of memories by the time you return.
