India is a land of history. From the Vedic era to the British era, this beautiful county has witnessed various historical events. So, when it comes to historical places in India, it’s really difficult to choose.
You will find various ancient temples, ruins, monuments, forts, and more. If you are ready to visit some famous historical places, we have handpicked twelve such places. In the following, let’s find out about these astonishing places.
Contents
Best Historical Places in India
As we mentioned above, you are going to find out about some best historical places in India. If you want to explore these places, make sure you are reading each of them carefully.
1. The Ruins of Hampi
The Ruins of Hampi is an open museum with 100+ sites.
Located in northern Karnataka, Hampi is one of the must-visit famous historical places. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is heaven for history and art lovers. Hampi used to be an enriched city during ancient times.
In fact, many Hindu people believe that Lord Rama visited this place with his brother Laxman. Now, you will see this village is surrounded by around 500 temples, buildings, and ancient monuments.
2. Hawa Mahal
Popularly known as the ‘Palace of Winds’, Hawa Mahal is another stunning creation of history. The name ‘Hawa Mahal’ refers to the structure of a honeycomb of a beehive. This palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, a devotee of Lord Krishna.
This is a must-visit place in Jaipur, you can find 953 intricate windows. The entry fee of Hawa Mahal is INR 10 for natives and INR 50 for foreigners. This place is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
3. Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is one of the 7 Wonders of the world.
When we are talking about the best historical places in India, we can’t leave the Taj Mahal. Millions of people visit this beautiful monument every year. Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 as a monument for his late wife Mumtaz Begam.
It takes nearly 22 years to complete this astonishing monument. Taj Mahal also has a dark background as it is believed by many people that Shah Jahan cut off the hands of all workers after finishing this project.
The entry fee of Taj Mahal is INR 40 natives and INR 1000 for foreigners. If you are visiting for the first time, make sure you are watching the nighttime show.
4. Khajuraho
If you are looking for an extraordinary historic place in India, you need to visit Khajuraho. India’s history does not start from Sultanate or Mughal era. The ancient period had enriched the history of India.
Khajuraho is a group of Hindu and Jain temples that is popular for its sensual sculptures. Well, there is misrepresentation about this ancient place as only 10% of sculptures are erotic. Overall, Khajuraho is the ideal example of the aesthetic richness of this country during the medieval period.
The best time to visit Khajuraho is from July to March. Make sure you are watching the light and sound show that is dedicated to the Chandela dynasty.
5. Mysore Palace
Built by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, Mysore Palace is one of the famous historical places in India. This was the former residence of Mysore’s royal family. However, this palace is converted into a museum now.
You will see several pictures, artifacts, and clothes of the Wodeyar dynasty inside the museum. Moreover, there is an idol of Goddess Durga inside the palanquin. The opening time of this palace is from 10 am to 5:30 pm (closed on Sundays).
6. Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial is one of the most famous historical places in Kolkata. This monument was built in 1921 to dedicate the memory of Queen Victoria.
Besides the stunning building of Victoria Memorial, the lush green garden is also popular among tourists. This monument has a museum inside where you can explore the history of British India and Kolkata.
7. Agra Fort
Located at a distance of 2.5 km, Agra fort is one of the best historical places in India. This famous fort was built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565. Being a UNESCO heritage site, this fort attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year.
However, Agra fort is not completely open to the public. You can only visit the fort from Amar Singh Gate which is open to the public. Take your time to visit this ancient fort as there are so many things to explore inside.
8. Ajanta and Ellora Caves
British officer John Smith discovered Ajanta caves in 1819 when he was chasing a tiger.
If you want to explore the treasure of India, you should not miss out on Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Undoubtedly, this place is on our top list of famous historical places. Ajanta has a total of 29 caves while Ellora has 34.
The most stunning thing about these caves is that each rock carving was done by hand. Ajanta and Ellora caves represent the diversity of India’s ancient religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
There are 17 Hindu and 12 Buddhist caves in Ellora. These caves were used for studying and praying.
9. Jallianwala Bagh
Famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore had renounced the British Knighthood in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
After the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre, this place has become one of the most important historical places in India. Jallianwala’s tragedy ignited the fire of India’s freedom movement. The Indian government had established a memorial in 1951.
10. Sun Temple
Odisha is one of the famous historical places that represent the ancient history of India. Konark’s Sun Temple was built in the 13th century, a must-visit historic place in Odisha.
King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty built this temple. However, a major portion of this temple was destroyed by Kalapahad, a Muslim General of the Bengal Sultan. Now, this UNESCO heritage site attracts thousands of tourists.
11. Qutub Minar
Standing at a height of 234 feet, Qutub Minar is undoubtedly one of the famous historical places in India. This UNESCO heritage site represents the architectural brilliance of the Sultanate Era.
Qutub Minar was built by Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate. You can also see Quwwat-ul-Islam, the first mosque of India at the foot of Qutab Minar.
12. The Cellular Jail
If you are visiting Andaman island, you should not miss out on the Cellular Jail. The British government used to send India’s freedom fighters here. Now, this place has become attracts thousands of tourists to take a glimpse of the prisoner’s life.
Conclusion
Finally, you know about the best historical places in India. There are so many places that represent both the ancient and modern history of this country. However, we have chosen only twelve out of them. If you want to explore more about this country, check out our other articles.
Ruchira is the founder of India Travelpedia, a writer by passion and profession. Besides writing, she’s a travel buff, foodie, and culture enthusiast.
Pingback: 8 Exciting Festivals in South India - India Travelpedia
Pingback: 10 Stunning Places For Solo Traveling in India - India Travelpedia