Monuments, Heritage

There are a number of monuments around the world which are popular. Some of these monuments are temples, statues, famous places, minarets etc. Most of these monuments retell some story and are not just built of brick and mortar.

A country as dynamic and diverse like India has a plethora of monuments to its credit. Some monuments of India like the Taj Mahal have earned a place for themselves amongst the Wonders of the World.

Hawa Mahal

This beautiful monument is at the entrance to the City Palace, Jaipur. An important landmark in the city, Hawa Mahal is an epitome of the Rajputana architecture. This palace which was built in 1779 was built during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh .The pyramid shape of this ancient monument is a haven for tourists and is called the Palace of Winds because of its 953 small windows.

Taj Mahal

There is practically no one in India who has not heard about the Taj Mahal . A monument which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World is the epitome of love and beauty in the world. This structure which was the pinnacle of Mughal architecture was built during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), grandson of Akbar the great, in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum also known as Mumtaz.The Taj Mahal was built in memory of her and her mortal remains are enshrined in the crypt of the main tomb of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.

Victoria Memorial

A wonderful monument in marble which is a superb example of Victorian architecture is located in the city of Kolkatta. Kolkatta was the capital of India during the British Raj. The domed and white marble museum sprawls over 64 acres and is set in a landscaped garden at the southern side of the city close to the heart of the city. It is open on all days for public to visit.

Charminar

This monument is one of the landmarks of the new hi-tech city of Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah to appease the force of evil which had enslaved his city with epidemic and plague. This four tower structure is in the middle of the crowded bazaars of Hyderabad.

Qutab Minar

The foundation of this ancient monument was laid by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1199 AD. It was completed by his successor and son-in-law Shamsu’d-Din- Iitutmish .Standing at 72.5 meters, it is the highest stone tower in India. Its base diameter is 14.3 meters and its top diameter is 2.7 meters. It has 379 steps leading to its top story. The lower three stories are made using red sand stone and the top two with marble and sand stone.

Gateway of India

This historical monument stands tall in the financial capital of India – Mumbai. This historical monument was built during the time the Britishers ruled India. This magnificent monument has been built in Indo-Sarcenic style to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay.

Hampi Monuments

The list of monuments in India is endless but this article would be incomplete without the mention of the ancient monuments of Hampi.Hampi which is on the banks of the Tungabhadra river was the throne of the mighty Vijayanagar empire. Monuments were built here between AD 1336 and 1570, from the time of Harihara I to that of Sadasiva Raya. Temples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and sculptural depictions from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

The list is endless but all these monuments should be a part of each one’s itinerary.