Forts and Palaces in India

Indian history is more like a riddle; the deeper you go, the more interesting it gets for you. Known as the land of Rajas and Maharajas, this culturally rich country has a story to tell. The architecturally beautiful forts and palaces dotted here showcase the opulence of India’s history. Let’s explore some of the magnificent forts and palaces of India state wise.

Rajasthan

City Palace, Jaipur The City Palace of Jaipur adds to the beauty of the Pink City. The palace is a beautiful concoction 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 attract loads of history enthusiasts.

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur One of the largest forts of India, the Mehrangarh Fort is popular for its beautiful structure. Located at an elevated structure enclosed with thick walls, the fort features seven distinct gates, one of which still bears 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’.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Jaipur is favourably blessed with various forts and palaces, and one of them is the Hawa Mahal. The Mahal was built specially for the queens to watch the processions of the city. This five storey pyramidal shaped architectural marvel features 953 windows (also known as jharokhas). Themahal offers a great bird eye view of the city and remains in the itinerary of every traveller planning holidays to Rajasthan.

Delhi

Red Fort Founded by Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort is truly the pride of India. Underlining the Mughal Architecture, the UNESCO World Heritage Site makes many jaw drops with its scarlet tinged 18m-high walls. The design of the fort has taken inspiration from the Hindu, Timurid and Persian architectural styles. One must not miss the sound and light show at the Red Fort, which takes place during the evening hours and gives an insight on the history of the fort.

Old Fort Old Fort, also known as Purana Qila, is one of the oldest forts of Delhi. According to Mythological Beliefs, the fort was build at the site where Indraprastha, the ancient capital city of Pandavas, was located. Today, the fort is in ruins but the ramparts and the gateways remain intact

Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh Built with military style architecture, the Gwalior Fort with its strong, beautiful and legendary look is a masterpiece. With its bright royal blue colour carvings, the fort has been a melting point for various dynasties including the Suris, Mughals, Rana Jats, and Marathas. This is the reason why the architecture of the fort reflects dominance of Mughal and Rajput style.

Jahangir Mahal, Orchha Jahangir Mahal is a three-storied structure that is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. Consisting of numerous large courtyards, more than 100 rooms, balconies, 8 elegant domes, terraces and porches, the outside walls of this palace are decorated with turquoise colored tiles. The palace has been built in red and yellow sandstone.

Uttar Pradesh

Agra Fort, Agra The world famous Kohinoor diamond was seized from the Agra Fort, by the Mughal ruler Babur. Today, the Fort is popular for its grand complexes including the Khas Mahal, the Shish Mahal, and the octagonal tower of Muhammam Burj. According to legends, Shah Jahan died in the balcony of the Mausamman Burj, overlooking the beautiful Taj Mahal.

Jhansi Fort, Bangira The Jhansi Fort or Jhansi ka Kila is a fortress situated on a large hilltop called Bangira, in Uttar Pradesh. It is an architectural delight due to its huge size and beauty. The fort played a major role during the first war of independence and it had once been the residence of Rani Lakshmi Bai.

Telangana

Golconda Fort The Golconda Fort has one of the richest histories in the monuments of its timeThe intricately carved domes, pillars, entrances, mosques and temples are a delight to discover. The engineering marvels hidden in the nooks and crannies of the fort is one of the interesting features of this rich fort. For instance, The Fateh Darwaza has an unbelievable acoustic effect.

Chowmahalla Palace Chowmahalla Palaces is one of the outstanding palaces in Telangana, and is famed for its exemplary architecture. The palace boasts of a linear sequence of garden courts which are surrounded by pavilions, rooms, halls, and chambers. The double-height interior of the palace is made more impressive with marble flooring and crystal chandeliers. Also worth checking out are Mahtab Mahal, Aftab Mahal, and Afzal Mahal.

Karnataka

Maharaja’s Palace, Mysore The Maharaja’s Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Mysore. Featuring 14 Hindu temples, gardens and courtyards, the travellers are impressed by the intricate designing of the rooms of the palace, showcasing the bygone era’s 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. The fort unfolds the royal heritage of South India and is a must visit for history buffs.

Chitradurga Fort ‘Chitradurga’ means ‘scenic fort’ and its location justifies that. It is one of the most impressive forts in Karnataka. Protected by the walls of granite blocks, Chitradurga overlooks the town of the same name. It encloses several temples and shrines along with the remains of residences, granaries, and tanks. The ramparts were bolstered with bastions of different shapes and sizes. Today there are three defensive gates to be crossed to enter the citadel.

These forts and palaces echo the rich past of India, which makes this country stands out of all other holiday destinations in the world.