Historical And Cultural Sites City And States
India has been blessed with a rich history and natural diversity, which is exemplified by its 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include 34 Cultural sites, 7 Natural sites and 2 mixed sites recognised for their outstanding universal value to humanity. Spanning the length and breadth of the country, these sites represent India’s grand and varied cultural traditions as well as its incredible biodiversity and landscapes.
From ancient monuments to pristine forests, India’s World Heritage Sites encapsulate the essence of incredible India. Sites like the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, Western Ghats and Sundarbans National Park are inscribed for their universal value. Understanding and preserving these treasures is crucial for safeguarding India’s heritage for future generations. Historical and cultural places such as:
Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra stands as a living testimony of the eternal love between Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and Queen Mumtaz. Construction of the Taj Mahal started in 1632, and a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site will demonstrate why it took this iconic monument so long to complete. The ethereal beauty of this white marble tombstone remains unparalleled to this day. While the Taj Mahal exudes stories of romance, it is also a showcase of the glory of Mughal architecture.
The Red Fort was commissioned for construction in 1638, during the time when Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi and is a perfect display of the supremacy of Mughal craftsmanship. The aesthetic appeal together with the historical significance makes Red Fort one of the most visited forts in India. This colossal monument in the present time is also the site where the honourable Prime Minister of India delivers a speech on Independence Day.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the twin caves considered as one of the largest rock-cut temple complexes in the world, are a must-see attraction for both history enthusiasts and creative souls. Located in the heart of Maharashtra, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves are a perfect display of the Jataka tales and Buddha’s life. Apart from Buddhism, the site is also of great importance for the followers of Hinduism and Jainism. There is a fascinating fact about Ajanta and Ellora caves: a British officer, John Smith accidentally discovered them while he was hunting tigers.
One of the iconic landmarks in India that was built to serve as an access point for the entry and exit of Britishers, the Gateway of India is incredibly significant. The Gateway of India after its completion in 1924 was inaugurated by the then Viceroy, the Earl of Reading. In addition to its importance in the British context, the Gateway of India has now evolved as a popular tourist attraction in Mumbai and remains jam packed with people throughout the year.
An incredible testimony of the Indo-Islamic architecture, Qutub Minar is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in Delhi. Qutub Minar soars to a height of 240 ft and is said to get its name after the first Muslim ruler of North India, Qutb-ud-din-Aibak. Featuring a magnificent red sandstone minaret and inscriptions in Parso-Arabic, one can learn about its history by reading these inscriptions. It is also one of the tallest individual towers in the world and has weathered many natural disasters. So, while you are in the capital city of India, make sure to visit Qutub Minar for a lifetime experience.
Fondly known as the “palace of winds”, Hawa Mahal in Jaipur has its own interesting story to tell. The Hawa Mahal, in the shape of a crown, was designed by Lal Chand Ustad for Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s queens to get a glimpse of the outside world, something that was not possible under the purdah system. This unique palace is structured like a honeycomb with as many as 953 intricate windows. As the palace is located in the heart of Jaipur, it is easily accessible from other parts of the city.
Victoria Memorial is one of the most popular tourist attractions located in the erstwhile capital of India, Kolkata. Built during the peak of British rule, the Victoria Memorial is dedicated to Queen Victoria. The lush-green expansive gardens and museum add immense aesthetic appeal to this white marble building that is spread over 64 acres of land. Apparently, Lord Curzon proposed the idea for the conception of the Victoria Memorial, and Sir William Emerson is the genius behind its intricate design.
Just like forts and palaces, there are numerous temples in India that tell fascinating tales from the past and one of them is the Khajuraho Temple. The Khajuraho Temple is home to innumerable sculptures that depict creativity and themes of love and beauty at their best. One can also find a perfect amalgamation of Jainism and Hinduism models here, which also, in turn, reflects the acceptance of diversity. For its unparalleled charm and significance, Khajuraho Temple has even been gracefully added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
A revered site for all Buddhist followers, Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reason behind the increasing significance of the Mahabodhi Temple is that it is at this very site where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple dates back to the times of emperor Ashoka and has a magnificent idol of Buddha that is about 5 ft. high. There are many legends that say that Mahabodhi Temple will be the last site to disappear whenever the world will come to an end.
Jallianwala Bagh is an infamous historical site that preserves the sacrifices of all those who lost their lives during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Hundreds of innocents were killed in the Jallianwala Bagh after General Dyer gave orders for a mass shooting. In order to honour these lost lives, the government of India built a memorial at this very site. Owing to its historical significance, the Jallianwala Bagh has now become a popular tourist attraction in Amritsar along with Golden Temple.
The credit for the construction of the iconic Mehrangarh Fort goes to Rao Jodha which soars high in the blue city of India, Jodhpur. Nestled on a hill’s top and guarded by humongous walls, the Mehrangarh Fort has about 7 entrance gates, all of which were constructed on different occasions. There is Vijay Gate that was built after King Man Singh marked a win over Bikaner and Jaipur. The appeal of the Mehrangarh Fort is such that a handful of Bollywood and Hollywood movies used this site as their setting.
Located in Delhi’s Rajpath, the credit for the design of India Gate goes to Edwin Lutyens. India Gate soars to a height of 42 m and is dedicated to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War and 3rd Anglo-Afghan War. The interesting thing about this war memorial is that an eternal flame, Amar Jyoti burns right here underneath the archway, symbolizing the courage and valour of Indian soldiers. To add more, one can also discover the names of thousands of Indian soldiers engraved on the monument.
The Gwalior Fort which is a popular hill fort has been fondly referred to as ‘pearl amongst the fortresses in India’ by the Mughal emperor, Babur. Perched at great altitudes, the Gwalior Fort is visible from almost all parts of the city. This legendary fort has witnessed the fall and rise of several empires and thus to date resonates with great historical significance.
The place is synonymous with a plethora of adjectives – outstanding, magnificent, vibrant, breathtaking, however, none can aptly justify its glory in the true sense. Settled in the pink city, Jaipur, Amer Fort was built by Maharaja Man Singh in the late 16th century. With its immense significance, it is no wonder that Amer Fort has been included in the list of UNESCO’S World Heritage Sites.
Tucked away in the heart of ‘pearl city’, Charminar is unarguably the identity marker of Hyderabad. As the name suggests, Charminar comprises four minarets, each of which has four stories. This historical landmark is said to be built to mark the end of a plague that infected the city. There are some tales that also say that Charminar was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah to pay respect to Allah. Irrespective of these tales that narrates the inception of this iconic building, one thing that is worth mentioning is that Charminar is truly a piece of excellent craftsmanship.
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