The first picture that captures your mind when talking about India is its forts and palaces. The magnificent palaces and forts of India form a significant part of India’s history. Indian history is nothing short of a riddle – the more you understand it, the more fascinating it gets. India has been the land of rajas and maharajas and every single nook and corner of this culturally rich country narrates a tale.
The number of forts and palaces dotted here showcase the richness of India’s history. This is the reason why travellers from all over the world prefer to walk down the memory lanes of India by exploring the majestic forts and palaces located here. Let’s sneak a peek into some popular forts and palaces of India -
City Palace, Jaipur
Constructed in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the City Palace adds to the beauty of Pink City, Jaipur. The palace is a grand melange of varied architectural styles including Mughal, Rajputana and European. The pink hued walls and majestic structures are a part of the local heritage of Jaipur. The major exhibits displayed at this Palace include a collection of armory and weapons, which attracts loads of history enthusiasts.
Red Fort, Delhi
Founded by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this magnificent fort is truly the pride of Delhi. Red Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and beautifully reflects the brilliance of Mughal architecture, making many jaws drop with its scarlet tinged 18m-high walls. The design of the fort has been inspired from Hindu, Timurid and Persian architectural styles. One of the major attractions of the Fort is its sound and light show, set up during the evening hours to introduce you to the history of this grand fort.
Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh
A masterpiece in every sense, the Gwalior Fort is strong, beautiful and legendary. This wonderful fort has been built under military style architecture, with bright and royal blue colour carvings. The Gwalior Fort has witnessed multiple dynasties that ruled the place, including the Suris, Mughals, Rana Jats and Marathas. Hence, one can observe various attributes of Mughal and Rajput style in its architecture, drawing travellers from all over the globe.
Agra Fort, Agra
The Agra Fort hides a rich history in its walls. Spread over 94 acres, the world famous Kohinoor diamond was seized from the Agra Fort. Today, the fort houses various grand attractions including the Khas Mahal, the Shish Mahal, and the octagonal tower of Muhammam Burj. It is said that Shah Jahan died in the balcony of the Musamman Burj, overlooking the beautiful Taj Mahal, a monument he built for his loving wife.
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The Mehrangarh Fort is counted among the largest forts of India, and is known for its impressive structure. The location of the Fort is also quite impressive, as it is cited at an elevated structure enclosed with thick walls. The Fort is adorned with seven distinct gates, one of which still has the cannonball imprints, signifying the wars of the history.The fort also houses a museum exhibiting documents, paintings, arms and clothes, depicting the rich history of the ‘Rathores’.
Golconda Fort, Telangana
Golconda Fort has one of the richest histories in the monuments of its time. Uncover South India’s cultural glory with the fort. The intricately carved domes, pillars, entrances, mosques and temples are a delight to discover. The engineering marvels of the bygone era are quite evident in every corner of this fort. For instance, The Fateh Darwaza has an unbelievable acoustic effect. A clap at this entrance, can be heard a kilometer away at the Bala Hisar pavilion. You can only visit this place to know more.
Warangal Fort, Andhra Pradesh
If the Kakatiya Lineage of Southern India interests you then you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Warangal Fort. The ruins of the fort are what remain today, including gateways, shrines and tablets. Exploring these ruins is a one lifetime of an experience, as you get to witness the rise and fall of the bloodline. The chief attraction of the Fort is the Thousand Pillar Temple which is a smaller structure carved from an unidentified black stone.
Maharaja’s Palace, Mysore
The Maharaja’s Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Mysore, featuring 14 Hindu temples, gardens and courtyards. What fascinated the travellers more are the intricate designing of the rooms of the palace that flaunts the then architectural styles. The Gombe Thotti of the Palace houses a hall designed exclusively to display Indian and European sculptures. The wooden Elephant adorned with 84 kg of gold is a major attraction among the travellers.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Jaipur in Rajasthan has more than its fair share of forts, and one of the most prominent one is the Hawa Mahal. The Hawa Mahal was built specially for the queens to observe the processions of the city. This five-storey beautiful palace features 953 windows or ‘jharokhas’, adding a unique charm to this treasured beauty. Hawa Mahal offers great bird eye views of the city of Jaipur and remains in the itinerary of every traveller planning holidays to Rajasthan.