- Taj Mahal
 Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder, which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. It is also a World Heritage Site.
| Location :
Agra, Uttar Pradesh | Built in :
1648 AD | Built by :
Shah Jahan |
- Qutub Minar
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Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlak are quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even the materials used for construction differ.
It is also a World Heritage Site.
| Location :
Delhi | Built in :
1199 AD | Built by :
Qutab-ud-din Aibak |
- Red Fort
 Red Fort is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. India's history is also closely linked with this fort. It was frorth here ht the British deposed the last Mughal ruler, Bhadur Shah Zafar, marking the end of the three century long Mughal rule. It was also fromits ramparts that the first prime. Minister of India, pandit Jawharlal Nehru, announced to the nation that India was free form colonial rule.
| Location :
Delhi | Built in :
1648 AD | Built by :
Shah Jahan |
- Jaisalmer Fort
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The golden - yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer Fort, over 800 years old, crowns the Trikuta Hill. Within its walls, defended by 99 turrets, lies the old city, nearly a quarter of modern Jaisalmer. Seen from outside, the sight must be almost identical to what was seen by merchants on their overland camel caravans to central Asia. Once this desert outpost was an important gate for the trade route, and Jaisalmer grew wealthy on the proceeds. But the advent of commercial shipping relegated the town to relative obscurity.
| Location :
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | Built in :
1156 AD | Built by :
Rawal Jaisal |
- Hawa Mahal
 Built in 1799, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. This five storey building, which looks out over the main street of the old city, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry, with its pink semioctagonal and delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. It was originally built to enable ladies of the royal household, to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. The palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and is part of the City Palace complex. There is, also, a small archaeological museum on the same site.
| Location :
Jaipur, Rajasthan | Built in :
1799 AD | Built by :
Sawai Pratap Singh |
- City Palace, Jaipur
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The City Palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art and architecture. The City Palace complex houses several palatial structures. In the heart of the old Jaipur city, the City Palace occupies a large area divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings. Jai Singh built the outer wall but other additions were made much later, some right up to the start of this century.
The palace is now a fine museum. It houses a remarkable collection of textiles, paintings, manuscripts, and extraordinary weapons. On display there are two huge urns of silver, said to be the largest silver vessels in the world. Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental. | Location :
Jaipur, Rajasthan | Built in :
1727 AD | Built by :
Maharaja Jai Singh II |
- City Palace, Udaipur
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City Palace, the majestic white royal building towers itself on a hill and is surrounded by crenellated walls. The palace was completed in its present form by the contribution of many rulers. Originally started by Udai Singh, the later additions were so carefully planned and integrated with the original building that it becomes difficult to believe that the building was not conceived as a whole. The city palace stands along the shores of Lake Pichola. | Location :
Udaipur, Rajasthan | Built in :
17th to 18th Century | Built by :
Maharana Udai Singh |
- Lake Palace
 The Lake Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, arising out of the Turquoise Waters of the Pichola like an elegant fantasy in white marble. The palace was built in the 17th century on a natural foundation of 4 acers of rock. It was initially called Jaginwas after its founder Maharana Jagjit Singh . The Maharana, ruler of Jaipur from 1628 to 1654, was very friendly with Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and encouraged his craftsmen to copy some of the glories of his incomparable buildings at Agra. The successive rulers used this cool haven as their summer resort, holding their regal durbars in its courtyards. These courtyards lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens all add to its impressive image. The rooms are decorated with cusped arches, inland stones of pink, and green lotus leaves and painted mirrors. apartments like the Bada Mahal, Kush Mahal, Ajjan Niwas, Phool Mahal and Dhola Mahal. All enhance the romance of the elegant setting. Among the facilities available are swimming pool, conference hall and a bar. Other events of recreation organised here are excursions in and around and a bar other events of recreation organised here are excursions in and around Udaipur.Today this pleasure palace is a luxury hotel like none other in the world. | Location :
Udaipur, Rajasthan | Built in :
17th century | Built by :
Maharana Jagjit Singh |
- Umaid Bhawan Palace
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The Umaid Bhavan Palace that is renowned for the sandstone used in its construction that does not weather is currently run as a Heritage Hotel by the family of Rathores the royals of the erstwhile state of Jodhpur. It is also referred to as the Chhittar Palace owing to the fact that the Chhittar sandstone was used in its construction. It took 16 years to build this palace that is now segmented into the royal residence, the Heritage Hotel and the museum. The style of construction is typical of the Rajputs with the beautiful balconies, charming courtyards, terrific terraces, green gardens and royal rooms. All the rooms have been elegantly furnished with antique furniture pieces. The stupendous house of Maharaja Umaid is simply far above the other forts and palaces in Jodhpur. The magnificence and majesty commanded by the Heritage Hotel of Umaid Bhavan is unparalleled. | Location :
Jodhpur, Rajasthan | Built in :
1929 to 1943 | Built by :
Maharaja Umaid Singh |
- Buddhist Monastries
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Buddhism was a religion that was born in India but spread its wings all around the world, especially in the east. Being the country of Gautam Buddha, the Buddhist pilgrimage centers in India are abundant, which attract devotees from India and abroad. India was the center of Buddhist learning in the ancient times, and religious sites of those times have become the places of monumental importance today.
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