10 Historical Monuments Of India : Our Country’s Majestic Tryst With Architecture

Table of Content:

1. Taj Mahal, Agra - A Famous Monument In India
2. ​India Gate, New Delhi - A Historical Monument In India
3. Gateway of India, Mumbai - India’s Historical Tryst With Architecture
4. Golden Temple, Amritsar: An Ode To Humanity
5. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur: Monument Of India Without Any Foundation
6. Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad
7. Statue of Unity, Kevadia: Famous Statue of India
8. Sanchi Stupa, Raisen District: Monument Built In Buddhist Architecture
9. Charminar, Hyderabad: Famous, Ancient Monument of India
10. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata: Iconic Monument of India

India boasts a magnificent tapestry of culture and ancient architecture, encompassing a vast array of temples, palaces, forts, museums, mausoleums, gardens, and beyond - spanning from the northernmost regions to the southernmost corners, and from the easternmost provinces to the western expanses. These famous monuments in India not only offer a captivating glimpse into the nation's rich history, cultural heritage, and profound beliefs but also serve as captivating landmarks that draw tourists from far and wide.

Should you ever be granted the privilege to embark upon a journey to witness these 10 historical monuments of India & their marvellous architecture firsthand, we request you to seize the opportunity without a doubt.

10 Monuments of India You Must See In Your Lifetime

Out of a whopping list of 3650 ancient monuments in India, here’s a  top 10 monuments in India list - encompassing architectural marvels which are worth a visit.

1. Taj Mahal

2. India Gate

3. Gateway of India

4. Golden Temple

5. Hawa Mahal

6. Ajanta and Ellora Caves

7. Statue of Unity 

8. Sanchi Stupa

9. Charminar

10. Victoria Memorial

1. Taj Mahal, Agra - A Famous Monument In India

The Taj Mahal tops the list of the famous monuments in India and is enlisted among the Seven Wonders of the World. 

Covering an area of approximately 42 acres, Taj Mahal is a beautifully carved white marble mausoleum from the 17th century and is located on the Southern Bank of the Yamuna River in Agra.The construction of this one of the historical monuments of India began in 1632 and completed in 1648.

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan constructed the Taj Mahal in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It houses the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. Entry to tombs is restricted, but you can walk around the landscaped garden of the Taj Mahal. It remains closed on Fridays. 

The exact address to reach the Taj Mahal is Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. 

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2. India Gate, New Delhi - A Historical Monument In India

It is one of the architectural wonders in the famous monuments of India list with an awe-inspiring sight. It is one of the biggest war memorials in India and has a recognisable arch gate made of sandstone-granite. This war memorial is dedicated to 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting during World War I for the British Army. The names of more than 13,516 Indian and British soldiers who were killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the 1919 Afghan war are inscribed on it.

India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and it is a 42-metre-tall structure. Republic Day is hosted every year at Kartavya Path. The premises of India Gate also houses Amar Jawan Jyoti. It has free entry for everyone, and you can visit it 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

The exact address to reach the India Gate is Kartavya Path, India Gate, New Delhi. 

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3. Gateway of India, Mumbai - India’s Historical Tryst With Architecture

Gateway of India is a tourist hotspot and is among the top 10 monuments of India.

A 26-metre high architectural marvel, Gateway of India is located in Mumbai overlooking the Arabian Sea at the Apollo Bunder area at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg in South Mumbai. This historical monument in India was constructed to pay tribute to the landing of King George V and Queen Mary during their visit to India in 1911. You can click pictures with this picturesque monument and enjoy the sea wind with mouth-watering street food and ferry rides.

Famously known as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, the exact address to reach the Gateway of India is Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra. 

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4. Golden Temple, Amritsar: An Ode To Humanity

This architecture in the monuments of India list is the holiest shrine located in Amritsar. It is also popularly known as the Harmandir Sahib. 

The Golden Temple is built on 67 square feet of marble and has two storeys. The upper half of the Golden Temple’s building was constructed with around 400 kg of gold leaf, and the other half was built with white marble under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

This beautiful religious, ancient monument of India is all about humanity, tranquillity, and brotherhood. The ‘Guru Ka Langar’ at Golden Temple offers free food to approximately 20,000 people every day. 

The exact address to reach the Golden Temple is Golden Temple Road, Atta Mandi, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab.

5. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur: Monument Of India Without Any Foundation

It is one of the famous historical monuments of India located in Jaipur and is popularly known as the Palace of Winds. 

It is a five-storey structure built in the 18th century that looks like a honeycomb of a beehive. It is the tallest building in the world that is built without any foundation. It leans at an angle of 87 degrees and has a pyramidal shape. Another interesting fact is it has 953 tiny windows.

Fun Fact: The construction of this palace allowed the ladies in the royal family to observe the busy streets of the Johari Bazaar from tiny windows called jharokhas without being seen. 

The exact address to reach Hawa Mahal is Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

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6. Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad

These caves are one of the ancient monuments of India and are the oldest rock-cut caves in Aurangabad. Ellora Caves have rock carvings, Buddhist monasteries, and temples, while Ajanta Caves displays Buddhist architecture, paintings, and sculptures. There’s also a Shiva temple called the Kailasha Temple and is located in cave number 16. 

Fun Fact: Five caves from 29 Ajanta caves were temples. The other 24 were monasteries that were thought to be occupied by close to 200 monks and artisans. 

7. Statue of Unity, Kevadia: Famous Statue of India

It is one of the most famous statues in India, built as an ode to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He was the first Home Minister of Independent India and responsible for uniting all 562 princely states of the country to build the Republic of India.

It is the tallest statue in the world and is located in the Satpura and Vindhyachal hills in Kevadia. This 182 metres tall statue is situated over River Narmada and Sardar Sarovar dam. 

Notably, the Indian farmers had donated their used farming equipment to collect iron for the statue. 

The exact address to reach the Statue of Unity is Sardar Sarovar Dam, Statue of Unity Road, Kevadia, Gujarat. 

8. Sanchi Stupa, Raisen District: Monument Built In Buddhist Architecture

It is located in the Sanchi town of the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh and was built by Ashoka in the third century. 

Sanchi Stupa is 37 metres wide and 17 metres high. Four stone gateways are added to the stupa in the four cardinal directions. The chronological order of the four gateways is Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western.

Its simple yet unique Buddhist-style architecture is the main highlight of this monument of India. 

The exact address to reach the Sanchi Stupa is the hilltop of Sanchi town, Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.

9. Charminar, Hyderabad: Famous, Ancient Monument of India

Your trip to Hyderabad is incomplete without visiting Charminar. 

It has a majestic architecture and was built by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591. It is a square-shaped structure and has four pillars with intricate carvings. The construction of this historical monument of India began in 1589. Its construction was completed in two years and costs around 2 lakh gold coins. It is said to weigh approximately 14000 tonnes with a foundation depth of 30 feet. 

The exact address of this major tourist attraction in India is Charminar Road, Char Kaman, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad.

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10. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata: Iconic Monument of India

Victoria Memorial was constructed in honour of Queen Victoria. It is an iconic white marble architectural structure surrounded by a beautifully maintained garden with statues and sculptures. This one of the famous monuments of India houses an extensive collection of artefacts, paintings, and manuscripts.

King George V laid the foundation for Victoria Memorial in 1906, and it was opened to the public in 1921. The memorial gallery and the gardens spread across 64 acres. Lord George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston and Viceroy of India conceptualised it as a ‘stately’ memorial for the deceased Queen Victoria. 

The exact address to reach Victoria Memorial as one of the most ancient & popular monuments of India is Queens Way, Maidan, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata, West Bengal.

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