10 Most Iconic Historical Places in India
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When we talk about historical places, India is one of the few countries that immediately come to our mind. Numerous historical places in India are testaments of the rich history and culture the country possesses. Additionally, these places beautifully blend art and history to give a mesmerizing experience to every visitor. If you are planning to have a nostalgic ride of the country, here are the 10 most iconic historical places in India you must visit.
1. Taj Mahal
Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Entry Fee: ? 40 (For Indians), ? 1000 (For foreigners)
Must See: Night Shows
Interesting Fact: Dubai government is planning to build four times larger shopping complex and hotel inspired by the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the magnificent historical places in India built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Noor Jahan. The white marble is lavishly decorated with Koranic calligraphy, being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is a blend of Mughal, Turkish, Persian, and Indian architecture that explains it is a universally admired masterpiece all over the world.
2. Hawa Mahal
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Entry Fee: ? 150 (For Indians), ? 500 (For foreigners)
Must See: The intricate lattice work on the tiny windows
Interesting Fact: The king built it for royal ladies to have an outdoor view because they used to wear ‘Purdah’ constantly. Moreover, they were not allowed to go out frequently
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh built Hawa Mahal, or the ‘Palace of Winds’ in 1799. It had shaped like a crown and resembled a honeycomb of beehives with its 953 intricate windows (called Jharoka). Hawa Mahal is famous as the tallest building in the world and had established without any foundation base. In addition, it is a unique five-story building structure with an Indo-Islamic blend in architecture.?
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3. Red Fort
Location: New Delhi
Entry Fee: ? 100 (For Indians), ? 250 (For foreigners)
Must See: Rang Mahal or the Palace of Colors where wives, maids, and mistresses of emperors used to reside
Interesting Fact: Red fort was white in color and carved in the limestone similar to the British painted it red when the limestone started fading away
When the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan wanted to shift its capital from Agra to Delhi, he constructed the Red Fort. Therefore, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was also known as Quila-e-Mubarak. The Prime Minister of India delivers an Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. It represents the zenith of Mughal creativity as the planning was based on an Islamic prototype. Meanwhile, every pavilion reflects the fusion of Timurid, Persian, and Hindu traditions.
4. Ajanta and Ellora Cave
Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Entry Fee: ? 100 (For Indians), ? 600 (For foreigners)
Must See: 26th Cave in Ajanta is elaborately decorated as Chaitya Hall along with Stupa and the Kailash Temple of Ellora
Interesting Fact: Buddhist Monks used to live here in a group during Monsoons and carved the sculptures together
Ajanta caves are the highest epitome of structures and paintings that explain Jataka tales and stories about Gautama Buddha. Most Buddhist monks treated these caves as monasteries for praying and studying Buddhist literature. Similarly, Ellora caves consist of a blend of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples; being the largest single rock-cut temple. As a result, UNESCO has designated both of them as World Heritage Sites.?