historical

India is a land with a rich and varied history. Many different rulers, dynasties, and empires have fought over and controlled different parts of the Indian subcontinent during its eventful history. The various rulers and dynasties left behind their legacy in the form of grand monuments and buildings, in different historical places in India.

Most of India's cities have a history worth exploring, for the tales of the past are truly fascinating. The various monuments including palaces, forts, victory pillars and tombs in different historical places in India, tell glorious stories of India's fascinating history.

The capital city of Delhi was originally the capital of the Tomara clan in the 11th century A.D and later it became the capital of the Mughals. The city has some of the famous historical monuments; out of which some were built by the Mughals and the Britishers. Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, Rashtrapati Bhawan, and Parliament House are the main monuments in Delhi, depicting its ancient history. Monuments of Prithviraj Chauhan, the Lodi Tombs, and the Siri Fort of Allauddin Khilji are some of the other monuments that you can see on your tour to Delhi.Neighboring Delhi is the city of Agra well known as the imperial capital of the Mughal Empire. City of Agra got its real grace during the reign of Shah Jahan. In 1631,the Mughal ruler built the beautiful mausoleum of Taj Mahal, in the memory of his consort Mumtaz Mahal. The monument is still an inspiration for true lovers. The historical city of Agra also has many other Mughal monuments like the Agra Fort, the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, and Akbar's fort at Sikandra.

Aurangabad, located in Maharashtra on India's west coast was known for being the capital of the Tughlaq Empire during the reign of Muhammed-bin-Tughlaq.Devagiri Fort is a known historical monument situated in Aurangabad.The city is close to the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora which form very important historical places in India. These Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu cave temples are marvels of Indian architecture, carved out of rock in the hills. Apart from all these historical places in Maharashtra, Mumbai city also has a rich history. The city has some remarkable colonial architecture and monuments including the Victoria Terminus. The city was originally inhabited by Koli fishermen and was later handed over to Britishers. Hyderabad, the imperial capital of the Nizams, is one of the known India historical places including the grand monuments of Charminar, Golconda Fort, the Qutab Shahi Tombs, and the Falaknuma Palace. History and modernity coexist in this city, where a mixture of religions, cultures, and architectural styles come together to create one of the most interesting historical places in India.

Among the other historical places in India, the temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Konarak in Orissa and Meenakshi temples in Madurai have their own significance. The Khajuraho Temples were built during the reign of the Chandella dynasty in the years 950 and 1050 A.D. The temples are recognized worldwide for the excellence of their sculptures and for the erotic carvings on the temple walls. The Khajuraho temples are one of the most visited and studied historical places in India. The magnificent sun temple of Konarak in Orissa was built in the 13th century. This historical monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural marvel, in this historical place in Eastern India. The popular Meenashi Temple is situated in Madurai, which was at one time a busy port under Chola, Pandya, and Nayaka rulers. The city continues to be an important town in Tamil Nadu and one of the most fascinating historical places in India.Mahabalipuram is also an important historical place in South India, the city flourished as an artistic center of the Pallava dynasty. The main highlights of the city are the five chariot shaped temples or rathas, the shore temple and the carved depictions of episodes from the Mahabharata.Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in India is famous for its ceremonial Ghats, archaeological museum, and the many temples which make it a unique city where history is very much a part of daily life. Varanasi is one of the most important religious and historical places in India. Bodhagaya in Bihar is one of the known historical places in India, which has close association with Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Buddhist pilgrims from around the world, travel to the historical places in India associated with Buddha's life, including Bodhagaya, the site where Buddha gained enlightenment.

These are only a few of the well-known historical places in India. There are many more historical places in India, which you can explore with India Profile.

The Royal state of Rajasthan offers many grand palaces and forts, which are part of the heritage of India. The capital city of Jaipur is one of the most visited historical places in India. The pink city was built by the astronomer King Sawaii Jai Singh in 1727 and endowed with grand palaces and magnificent forts. The Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar make Jaipur a must visit historical destination in India. The city of Jaisalmer is dotted with many magnificent golden fortresses, historic carved havelis, windswept sand dunes, and desert festivals, which depict the traditional culture of Rajasthan.Udaipur is popular for its lake palaces which are historic and architectural gems of Rajasthan.The city is a popular historical place in India. The majestic Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace represent the city of Jodhpur, which is known for its magnificent palaces. The city was previously the princely state of Marwar. Jodhpur is one of the historical places in India where history can be seen even today. Another city in Rajasthan famous for its history and unequalled sacrifice is the city of Chittorgarh; this historical place in India has seen many battles and acts of heroic sacrifice.

Aurangabad, located in Maharashtra on India's west coast was known for being the capital of the Tughlaq Empire during the reign of Muhammed-bin-Tughlaq.Devagiri Fort is a known historical monument situated in Aurangabad.The city is close to the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora which form very important historical places in India. These Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu cave temples are marvels of Indian architecture, carved out of rock in the hills. Apart from all these historical places in Maharashtra, Mumbai city also has a rich history. The city has some remarkable colonial architecture and monuments including the Victoria Terminus. The city was originally inhabited by Koli fishermen and was later handed over to Britishers. Hyderabad, the imperial capital of the Nizams, is one of the known India historical places including the grand monuments of Charminar, Golconda Fort, the Qutab Shahi Tombs, and the Falaknuma Palace. History and modernity coexist in this city, where a mixture of religions, cultures, and architectural styles come together to create one of the most interesting historical places in India.

Agra
The city of Agra was the imperial capital of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Shah Jahan. He built the beautiful mausoleum - the Taj Mahal - for his consort Mumtaz Mahal after her death in 1631. Agra also has many other Mughal monuments - the Agra Fort, the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, and Akbar's fort at Sikandra near Agra, which make a visit to this historical place in Uttar Pradesh, India, a must see on your tour of the historical places in India.

Aurangabad
Located in Maharashtra on India's west coast Aurangabad is known for being made the capital of the Tughlaq Empire during the reign of Muhammed-bin-Tughlaq. The Devagiri Fort is a historical monument in Auragabad. The city is also near two very important historical places in India - the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora. These Buddhist, Jain and Hindu cave temples are marvels of Indian architecture, carved out of rock in the hills. The frescoes on the Ahjanta Caves and the exquisite carvings of the Ellora Caves have led to their being recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Mumbai
A city better known as the modern financial capital of India, Mumbai however does have a rich history. Originally inhabited by Koli fishermen, this collection of 7 islands was part of Portuguese territory in India. Handed over to the British as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza - when she married Charles II of England in 1661, Mumbai has some remarkable colonial architecture and monuments including the Victoria Terminus - now called Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Gateway of India.

These are only a few of the well-known historical places in India. There are many more historical places in India, which you can explore with India Profile.

Jodhpur
The majestic Mehrangarh Fort, set on a high hill overlooks this town of blue painted walls and magnificent palaces, including the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India, was previously the princely state of Marwar. The museums in the fort and the palace are among the best maintained in India and display weaponry, armor, ornaments and palanquins from royal times. Jodhpur is one of the historical places in India where history can be seen even today.

Madurai
Known for its most recognizable landmark the towering Meenakshi Temple, Madurai was visited by the Greek historian Megasthenes in the 3rd century B.C. when it was a flourishing town. A busy port under Chola, Pandya and Nayaka rulers, Madurai continues to be an important town in Tami Nadu and one of the most fascinating historical places in India.

Mahabalipuram
This historic seaport on the Tamil Nadu coast, grew to become an artistic center of the Pallava dynasty during the reign of Narasimhavarman Pallava. The five chariot shaped temples or rathas, the shore temple and the carved depictions of episodes from the Mahabharata are artistic highlights of this historic place in South India.

Mysore
The capital of the Wodeyar dynasty that ruled over Mysore, this city is home to the grand Mysore Palace, the Lalitha Mahal Palace, several historic art galleries, the palaces of Tipu Sultan and traditional craftsmen who create fine Mysore silk and products made from sandalwood. Witness south Indian history come alive, in one of the most culturally rich, historic places in India.

Varanasi
Considered to be one of the oldest cities in India, Varanasi attracts thousands of tourists who come to experience its spiritual ambience. The ceremonial Ghats, the university, archaeological museum, and the many temples in Varanasi make it a unique city where history is very much a part of daily life. Varanasi is one of the most important religious and historical places in India.
There are many more historical places in India, which you can explore with Tourism in India.