India Gate, Delhi
A war memorial and a famous landmark in Delhi, the India Gate is a famous monument and landmark in Delhi. Built to commemorate the sacrifice of 82,000 soldiers of the undivided Indian Army who lost their lives in World War I, the India Gate also capsules the small structure named Amar Jawan Jyoti which serves as India’s tomb of the unknown soldier. It is impossible not to feel patriotic while walking along the Rajpath, India’s most famous road that leads to it.

Red Fort, Delhi
One of the grandest structures built during the Mughal rule by emperor Shah Jahan, the Red fort now serves as the venue for India’s republic day celebrations. A tour of the fort complex (preferably with an audio guide) lets you in on the Mughal lifestyle and governance during that golden era.

Qutub Minar, Delhi
The tallest brick minaret in the world needs no introduction. Dating back to 1199 AD, the Qutub Minar was once used by the muezzins for prayer calls. Today, it reminds us of the bygone era and how small we really are!

Sanchi stupa, Sanchi
One of the oldest monuments in India, the stupas in Sanchi take you back to the Mauryan empire dating back to 300 BC. They are fine specimens of Buddhist architecture and have been preserved well over so man centuries.

Gomateshwara statue, Sravanbelgola
Built in 983 AD, the statue of Gomateshwara is dedicated to Bahubali, son of Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. It is one of the most popular and oldest monuments in Karnataka.

Charminar, Hyderabad
The four great minarets of Charminar are the most famous sight in Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah to mark the end of an epidemic in the city. Today, it stands as an epitome of Qutub Shahi architecture and is referred to as “The Arc de Triomphe of the East”

Gateway of India, Mumbai
While it may have been commissioned to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to (what was then called) Bombay, the royal couple had to make do with a view of a cardboard model. The king and the queen never used the Gateway of India but it was from here that the last of the British troops finally left the Indian shores.

Taj Mahal, Agra
Inarguably the greatest monument in India and certainly the most visited, the Taj Mahal stands as an epitome of love, the extravagant Mughal architectural and an era where India was referred to as the golden bird.

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
One of the UNESCO world heritage sites in India, the Victoria Memorial Hall is another great example of British architecture. Built between 1906 and 1921, this magnificent building serves as a museum with manuscripts, paintings and sculptures from the British era.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a historic railway station and the perfect example of British architecture in India. It continues to be one of the city’s most famous landmarks and also one of its busiest centers.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
And then there is the Hawa Mahal, a beautiful piece of Rajputana architecture dating back to the time when royal women were given special palaces for recreation. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the year 1799, the wind palace has five storeys and 953 small windows.

Mysore Palace, Mysore
The official seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, the Mysore palace is perhaps the most historic palace in Karnataka. Known for its Indo-Saracenic architecture, the Mysore palace was built between 1897 and 1912.

Hampi, Karnataka
The historic ruins of Hampi are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dating back several centuries, the village was a rich empire around 1500 AD. The marvelous temples still remind you of its splendor when it was in its prime.

Nalanda, Bihar
A historic center of learning from the fifth century, Nalanda University is known as the oldest residential university in the world. The monuments here remind you of the Gupta empire.

Leh Palace
Dating back to the 17th century, the Leh palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal and is a specimen of architecture during the Namgyal dynasty. It is one of the most popular attractions in the Ladakh region.

Humayun’s tomb
Another fine specimen of Mughal architecture is the Humayun’s tomb built in the 16th century. It was the first garden-tomb in India and set a precedent of the magnificent Mughal architecture that followed, including the Taj Mahal.

Khajuraho temples
Known mostly for the erotic wall carvings, the Khajuraho temples are a gentle reminder of how liberal and open-minded a culture we have been!

Ratha temples, Mahabalipuram
Built during the Pallava dynasty by King Narsimha, the Ratha cave temples date back to the 7th century and are fine specimens of the Pallava style of architecture.

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