Table of Contents
- Monuments of India stand as timeless witnesses to the country’s rich and diverse history and culture. From the iconic Kailash Temple to the ancient temples of the Gupta dynasty, each monument tells a story of India’s past, reflecting the influences of various civilizations and dynasties.
- India’s monumental heritage spans thousands of years and encompasses a wide array of architectural styles, ranging from the intricate carvings of Hindu temples to the grandeur of Rajput and Mughal forts and palaces.
- The Indian monuments serve as symbols of national pride and identity. Many of these monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recognized for their outstanding universal value and importance.
List of Famous monuments of India
Sanchi Stupa
- Foundation: The construction of the Sanchi Stupa began during the rule of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Ashoka, a devout follower of Buddhism, ordered the creation of several stupas and monasteries across his empire, including at Sanchi.
- Location: It is situated atop a hill in the village of Sanchi, about 46 kilometers northeast of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh.
- The Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest and most well-preserved Buddhist monuments in India.
- Purpose: The primary purpose of these stupas was to enshrine the relics of Gautama Buddha and serve as a place of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhist monks and followers.
- The main stupa at Sanchi is a hemispherical dome, originally built of brick and later encased in stone. It stands at a height of over 16 meters (52 feet) and has a diameter of approximately 36 meters (120 feet).
- Sculpture: The stupa is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptural reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Buddha, Jataka tales (stories of Buddha’s previous lives), and various Buddhist symbols and motifs.
- it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
| Name of the Monument | Year of Construction | Important informations |
|---|---|---|
| Tawang Monastery (Arunachal Pradesh) | 1680-1681 | It is the largest monastery in India. It was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso. |
| Leh Palace | 1600 | It was built by Sengge Namgyal. It is also known as Lachen Palkar Palace. |
| Khajuraho Group of Monuments (MP) | 970-1030 AD | Temples were built during the rule of the Chandela dynasty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| City Palace, Udaipur | 1553 | built by Maharana Udai Singh II. |
| Lotus Temple, Delhi | 1986 | It is a Bahai temple (a place of worship of the Bahai Faith) |
| Taj Mahal | 1631–1653 | built by Shah Jahan |
| Gateway of India, Mumbai | 1924 | It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V. |
| India Gate, New Delhi | 1921 | built as a memorial to soldiers of the Indian Army who died in the First World War |
| Golden Temple, Amritsar | Completed in 1589 | It is one of the holiest sites for Sikh. |
| Hawa Mahal, Jaipur | 1799 | built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh |
| Charminar, Hyderabad | 1591 | built by Quli Qutb Shah |
| Meenakshi Temple, Madurai | 1190 –1205 | built by the Pandayan King Sadayavarman Kulasekaran |
| City Palace, Udaipur | ||
| Victoria Memorial, Kolkata | 1906 – 1921 | built by the British government now under the control of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India |
| Ajanta Caves | The Ajanta Caves are 29 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments in the Aurangabad District of Maharashtra built in two phases, the first starting around the 2nd century BCE and the second occurring from 400 to 650 CE | |
| Ellora Caves | Ellora Caves are a multi-religious rock-cut cave complex in Aurangabad District of Maharashtra built after 6th century CE | |
| Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa | 1594-1605 | It is located in Old Goa. It holds the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier. |
| Qutub Minar | Construction of the Qutub Minar began in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate | Location: Delhi, India, is one of the most iconic and tallest brick minarets in the world. The monument is situated in the Qutb complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Delhi’s most popular tourist attractions. Height: 73 meters (240 feet) |
| Bara Imambara Lucknow | 1784 | built by Asaf-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh) |
| Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) | 1003-1010 | Built by Chola emperor Rajaraja I A UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram | 1035 | built by Rajendra Chola I |
| Dilwara Temples | a group of Svetambara Jain temples located in Sirohi District of Rajasthan | |
| Sanchi Stupa | ||
| Elephanta Caves | Foundation: The exact foundation date of the caves is uncertain, but they are believed to have been constructed sometime between the 5th and 8th centuries during the rule of various dynasties in India, including the Kalachuri, Chalukya, and Rashtrakuta dynasties. | Location: Important Points: The Elephanta Caves served as a place of worship for followers of Hinduism and Buddhism. The main cave, known as the Shiva Cave, contains numerous sculptures depicting various manifestations of Lord Shiva, including the iconic Trimurti, a three-headed sculpture |
| Fatehpur Sikri | 1571 | It is a city founded by the Mughal emperor Akbar. It was the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585 during Akbar’s reign. |
| Group of Monuments, Hampi | A UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Gwalior Fort | Foundation: The fort’s construction dates back to the 8th century, with later additions and renovations by various rulers. | Location: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. Important Points: It’s one of India’s largest forts, known for its stunning architecture and historical significance. |
| Hoysaleswara temple, Halebidu (Karnataka) | Foundation: Built in the 12th century during the Hoysala Empire. | Location: Halebidu, Karnataka, India. Important Points: Renowned for its intricate carvings and magnificent architecture, dedicated to Lord Shiva. |
| Temples of Pattadakal, Bagalkot (Karnataka) | Foundation: Constructed during the 7th and 8th centuries, under the Chalukya dynasty. | Location: Pattadakal, Bagalkot district, Karnataka, India. Important Points: UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring a group of beautifully crafted Hindu and Jain temples. |
| Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram | Foundation: Built during the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries. | Location: Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), Tamil Nadu, India. Important Points: Known for its rock-cut temples, monolithic sculptures, and UNESCO World Heritage Site status. |
| Hill Palace Museum | Foundation: Built in the 19th century by the Maharaja of Cochin. | Location: Tripunithura, Kochi, Kerala, India. Important Points: Largest archaeological museum in Kerala, featuring a vast collection of artifacts and royal belongings. |
| Jama Masjid Delhi | Foundation: Built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. | Location: Old Delhi, India. Important Points: One of the largest mosques in India, known for its grandeur and stunning architecture. |
| Jantar Mantar Jaipur | Foundation: Constructed in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. | Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Important Points: UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising astronomical instruments used for celestial observations. |
| Kamakhya Temple | Foundation: Ancient temple with uncertain origins, renovated over centuries. | Location: Guwahati, Assam, India. Important Points: Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, one of the oldest Shakti Peethas in India. |
| Kashi Vishwanath | Foundation: Original temple dates back to ancient times, rebuilt several times. | Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Important Points: Sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, attracting millions of pilgrims annually. |
| Key Monastery Spiti Valley | Foundation: Founded in the 11th century. | Location: Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Important Points: Also known as Ki Monastery, it’s a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located atop a hill, serving as a major religious training center for Lamas. |
| Humayun’s Tomb | Foundation: Built in the 16th century. | Location: Delhi, India. Important Points: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and is considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal in terms of architectural grandeur. |
| Mahabodhi Temple | Foundation: Originally built in the 3rd century BC, the current structure dates back to the 5th to 6th centuries AD. | Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India. Important Points: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it marks the spot where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment. |
| Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur | Foundation: Built in the 15th century. | Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Important Points: One of the largest forts in India, it houses a museum showcasing artifacts reflecting the cultural heritage of the Rathore dynasty. |
| Mysore Palace | Foundation: Originally built in the 14th century but rebuilt in its current form in the early 20th century. | Location: Mysore, Karnataka, India. Important Points: Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, it’s the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and is known for its Indo-Saracenic architecture. |
| Nalanda | Foundation: Founded in the 5th century AD. | Location: Bihar, India. Important Points: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was a renowned center of learning in ancient India and attracted scholars from across the world. |
| Rashtrapati Bhawan | Foundation: Construction began in the early 20th century. | Location: New Delhi, India. Important Points: The official residence of the President of India, it’s known for its architectural grandeur and sprawling Mughal garden. |
| Sikandra Agra | Foundation: Built in the 16th century. | Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Important Points: It houses the tomb of Emperor Akbar and is known for its blend of Hindu, Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, and Jain motifs. |
| Se Cathedral Goa | Foundation: Built in the 16th century. | Location: Old Goa, Goa, India. Important Points: Dedicated to St. Catherine, it’s one of the largest churches in Asia and is known for its Portuguese-Manueline architecture. |
| Shivaji Terminus | Foundation: Built in the late 19th century during British colonial rule. | Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Important Points: Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Mumbai’s busiest railway stations, known for its stunning Gothic Revival architecture. |
| Sun Temple, Konark | Foundation: Built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. | Location: Konark, Odisha, India. Important Points: Dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, it’s famous for its intricate stone carvings and unique architectural style representing a chariot with 24 wheels. |
| Masroor Rock Cut Temple | Foundation: Believed to be built in the 8th century by the Katoch dynasty. | Location: Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Important Points: A group of rock-cut temples carved out of a single rock, resembling the Ellora caves, showcasing Indo-Aryan architectural style. |
| Safdarjung Tomb | Foundation: Built in the 18th century by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, the son of Safdarjung. | Location: New Delhi, India. Important Points: Modeled after Humayun’s Tomb, it’s the mausoleum of Safdarjung, a prominent Mughal statesman and the second Nawab of Awadh. |
| Gol Gumbaz | Foundation: Built in the 17th century under the rule of Mohammed Adil Shah. | Location: Bijapur (Vijayapura), Karnataka, India. Important Points: Known for its massive dome, it houses the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah. |
| Bibi ka maqbara | Foundation: Built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. | Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Important Points: Often called the “Taj of the Deccan,” it’s a mausoleum built in memory of Aurangzeb’s wife, Dilras Banu Begum. |
| Sultan Ghari | Foundation: Built in the 13th century by Sultan Iltutmish. | Location: Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Important Points: Believed to be the burial place of Sultan Iltutmish’s eldest son, Prince Nasiru’d-Din Mahmud. |
| Vivekananda Rock | Foundation: The Vivekananda Rock Memorial was constructed in 1970. | Location: Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. Important Points: A rock in the sea, it’s a memorial dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, who meditated here in 1892 before his famous Chicago address. |
| Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Foundation: Dates back to the 8th century, with significant developments during the Chavda, Solanki, and Sultanate periods. | Location: Champaner, Gujarat. Important Points: A UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Jamali Kamali | Foundation: Built during the Mughal period, believed to date back to the 16th century. | Location: Mehrauli Archaeological Park, New Delhi, India. Important Points: Contains the tomb of the Sufi saint Jamali. |
| Qutub Shahi Tombs | Foundation: The Qutub Shahi Tombs were built by the rulers of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, which ruled the Golconda Sultanate from the 16th to the 17th centuries. Construction began in the early 16th century and continued over several generations. | Location: Hyderabad, Telangana. Purpose: The tombs were built as the final resting places for the Qutub Shahi rulers and their family members. Notable Tombs: Among the notable tombs in the complex are those of Sultan Quli Qutub Shah, the founder of the dynasty, and Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler and the builder of the Charminar in Hyderabad. |