Sanchi Stupa

Locat|on Sanchl Madhya radesh

ounded 8y Maurya Lmperor Ashoka
ounded In 3rd cenLury 8C
Status unLSCC World PerlLage SlLe
Sanchl ls a vlllage ln Madhya radesh belleved Lo be one of Lhe mosL lmporLanL places ln lndla
assoclaLed wlLh 8uddhlsm lL ls slLuaLed aL a dlsLance of approxlmaLely 32 km from Lhe clLy 8hopal of
lndla also known as Lhe ClLy of Lakes Sanchl ls known for houslng a number of 8uddhlsL sLrucLures llke
sLupas monasLerles Lemples plllars eLc MosL of Lhese sLrucLures daLe back Lo Lhe perlod beLween 3rd
cenLury 8C and 12Lh cenLury Au and are a parL of unLSCCs llsL of World PerlLage SlLes

Mauryan emperor Ashoka was Lhe founder of all Lhe sLupas aL Sanchl whlch were consLrucLed ln Lhe
honor of Lord 8uddha 1he mosL lmpresslve as well as Lhe mosL slgnlflcanL one of all Lhe sLupas ls Lhe
CreaL Sanchl SLupa lL ls a slmple hemlspherlcal brlck sLrucLure whlch has been bullL over Lhe rellcs of
Lord 8uddha Cne of Lhe besLpreserved sLupas ln cenLral lndla Lhe CreaL SLupa aL Sanchl ls adorned by
a chhaLra a parasolllke sLrucLure lnLended Lo honor and proLecL Lhe rellcs

Surroundlng Lhe maln Sanchl SLupa ls a paLh used for clrcumambulaLlon 1he paLh sLands enclrcled by a
ralllng wlLh four carved gaLeways LhaL face Lhe four dlfferenL dlrecLlons 1hese gaLeways are sald Lo be
carved somewhere around 100 Au A unlque feaLure of Lhe all Lhe sLupas aL Sanchl lncludlng Lhe CreaL
SLupa ls LhaL Lhey do noL have any lmages of Lord 8uddha ln human form lnanlmaLe flgures llke
fooLprlnLs Lree wheels and Lhrones have been drawn or carved Lo represenL Lhe symbollcal form of Lhe
Lord

Powever Lhe flgure LhaL ls mosL exLenslvely used Lo deplcL Lord 8uddha ls a loLus flower uurlng Lhe
Shunga perlod Sanchl SLupa was exLended Lo qulLe an exLenL lLs facade was decoraLed wlLh sLones
ralllngs and sLalrcase along wlLh a harmlka on Lhe Lop SculpLures wlLh dlfferenL moLlfs and deslgns
have been chlseled Lo ornamenL Lhe ralllngs and gaLes of Lhe sLupa 1he gaLeways of Lhe CreaL Sanchl
SLupa have been exqulslLely fesLooned wlLh lllusLraLlon of lncldenLs from Lhe llfe of Lhe 8uddha

1he ornamenLaLlon Lhe sLupa gaLeways also lncludes Lhe porLrayal of male and female Lree splrlLs Slnce
Lhe female Lree splrlLs are belleved Lo be a symbol of ferLlllLy Lhey are usually used by 8uddhlsLs ln Lhe
form of welcomlng flgures 1he slLe where Lhe vlllage of Sanchl sLands was dlscovered by Ceneral 1aylor
ln Lhe year 1818 LaLer 1919 an archaeologlcal museum was esLabllshed ln Sanchl by Slr !ohn Marshall

Taj Mahal
Locat|on Agra uLLar radesh
ounded 8y Mughal Lmperor Shah !ahan
ounded In 16311648
Lntombs MumLaz Mahal and Shah !ahan
Area 42 acres
Status Cne of Lhe Seven Wonders of Lhe World unLSCC World PerlLage SlLe

1a[ Mahal Lhe LplLome of Love ls Lhe mosL prlzed possesslons of Lhe lndlan subconLlnenL 1he
magnlflcenL monumenL ls renowned LhroughouL Lhe world for lLs exqulslLe archlLecLural beauLy lL
occuples a place ln Lhe Seven Wonders of Lhe World and has also been declared as a World PerlLage SlLe
by unLSCC ln 1983 1a[mahal ls slLuaLed ln Lhe Agra clLy of lndla popularly known as Lhe ClLy of 1a[
LocaLed on Lhe banks of Lhe ?amuna 8lver Lhe monumenL ls bullL enLlrely of whlLe marble

1a[ Mahal ls sald Lo be Lhe [ewel of Musllm arL ln lndla and one of Lhe unlversally admlred masLerpleces
of Lhe worlds herlLage lL ls Lhe mausoleum of MumLaz Mahal consLrucLed by her husband Lhe
Mughal Lmperor Shah !ahan 1he consLrucLlon work on Lhe monumenL was sLarLed ln Lhe year 1632 and
lL Look approxlmaLely sevenLeen years Lo compleLe lL 1hough usLad Ahmad Lahaurl ls belleved Lo be Lhe
archlLecL of 1a[mahal Lhere ls no consensus on Lhe lssue ApproxlmaLely 20000 laborers englneers and
archlLecLs were lnvolved ln lLs consLrucLlon

1he sLones LhaL were used ln bulldlng 1a[ Mahal were broughL from as far away as 1lbeL and Srl Lanka
1he monumenL has been bullL as per Lhe Mughal archlLecLural sLyle whlch draws heavlly from erslan
1urklsh lndlan and lslamlc sLyles When you look aL Lhe 1a[ mahal of Agra Lhe flrsL feaLure LhaL sLrlkes
you ls lLs huge bulbous dome lL ls approxlmaLely 38 feeL ln dlameLer and 213 feeL ln helghL ConsLrucLed
ouL of whlLe marble and lnlald wlLh semlpreclous sLones lL comes across as a splendld sLrucLure

1he marble and sLones adornlng Lhe dome glve 1a[ dlfferenL hues aL dlfferenL Llmes of Lhe day 1he
dome sLands surrounded on lLs four sldes by four soarlng mlnareLs each of Lhem aLleasL 40 meLers hlgh
1he mlnareLs have been bullL ln such a way LhaL Lhey sllghLly slanL Lo Lhe ouLer slde and Laper down wlLh
helghL Cn one slde of Lhe 1a[ Mahal sLands a mosque whlle on Lhe oLher ls Lhe naqqar khana 1he maln
mausoleum ls bullL on an elevaLed square plaLform wlLh four abrldged corners whlch seem Lo be
formlng an unequal ocLagon

1he concepL of lnLerlocklng arabesque archlLecLure seems Lo be used LhroughouL Lhe 1a[ Colng as per
Lhe concepL each feaLure of Lhe monumenL seems Lo have lLs own ldenLlLy yeL merges harmonlously
wlLh Lhe maln edlflce 1he Lombs of Shah !ahan and hls wlfe MumLaz Mahal have been slLuaLed lnslde
Lhe 1a[ Mahal ln a shadowy burlal crypL 1he maln chamber ls slLuaLed [usL above Lhese crypLs and
conLalns Lhe false Lombs 1he chamber ls surrounded by perforaLed marble screens Lhrough whlch Lhe
sunllghL comes lnslde

1he surface of Lhe 1a[ Mahal sLands ornamenLed wlLh excepLlonally beauLlful calllgraphlc work 1he
verses and passages from Lhe holy book of koran have been lnscrlbed on Lhe walls of Lhe monumenL by
lnlaylng [asper ln Lhe marble panels AmanaL khan a erslan calllgrapher can be credlLed wlLh lnscrlblng
Lhe calllgraphy ln an llleglble 1huluLh scrlpL SLandlng as a proof of hls work are numerous panels whlch
bear Lhe slgnaLures of Lhe calllgrapher

1a[ Mahal ls slLuaLed ln Lhe norLheasL corner of a sprawllng garden whlch has a huge marble Lank ln lLs
cenLer 1he enLlre area rlghL from Lhe maln gaLeway Lo Lhe base of Lhe 1a[ ls covered by Lhe garden
known as Lhe Charbagh 1a[ garden has been deslgned as per Lhe erslan sLyle and sLands dlvlded lnLo
four parLs ln each of Lhe square we can see 16 flowerbeds LhaL have been dlvlded by elevaLed
passageways 1he Lrees planLed ln Lhe garden are elLher LhaL of Cyprus (whlch symbollze deaLh) or of
Lhe frulL bearlng Lype (whlch symbollze llfe)


Lllora Caves

Locat|on near Aurangabad MaharashLra
ounded In 3Lh Lo 10Lh cenLury
kepresent 8uddhlsm Plndulsm and !alnlsm
Status unLSCC World PerlLage SlLe

Lllora Caves one of Lhe popular LourlsL aLLracLlons of lndla are slLuaLed aL a dlsLance of approxlmaLely
2330 km from Lhe Aurangabad clLy of MaharashLra 1he caves hold Lhe dlsLlncLlon of belng a unLSCC
World PerlLage SlLe Lllora caves symbollze Lhe plnnacle of Lhe rock cuL archlLecLure ln Lhe lndlan
subconLlnenL 1here are LhlrLyfour Lllora caves ln LoLo and all of Lhem are baslcally sLrucLures LhaL have
been excavaLed ouL of Lhe verLlcal face of Lhe Charanandrl hllls

Lllora Caves of lndla comprlse of Plndu and !aln cave Lemples along wlLh 8uddhlsL chalLyas (halls of
worshlp) and vlharas (monasLerles) All Lhese caves have been found Lo daLe back Lo somewhere
beLween 3Lh cenLury and 10Lh cenLury 1he flrsL Lwelve caves numbered one Lo Lwelve belong Lo Lhe
8uddhlsL rellglon and were bullL beLween 330 and 730 Au 1he nexL sevenLeen caves numbered
LhlrLeen Lo LwenLynlne are Plndu Lemples LhaL were consLrucLed around 600 Lo 873 Au

1he lasL seL of caves numbered LhlrLy Lo LhlrLyfour represenL Lhe !aln rellglon 1he !aln caves daLe back
Lo Lhe Llme perlod beLween 800 Au and 1000 Au All Lhese caves have been bullL ln proxlmlLy Lo one
anoLher and symbollze Lhe rellglous Lolerance prevalenL durlng LhaL perlod AlmosL all of Lhe Lllora
Caves have been adorned wlLh ouLsLandlng palnLlngs and sculpLures noL much Llme back
archaeologlsLs unearLhed LwenLy more caves aL Lllora whlch were devoLed Lo Lord Shlva

8uddh|st Caves
1he 8uddhlsL caves of Lllora malnly comprlse of vlharas (monasLerles) 1hese monasLerles are baslcally
huge mulLlsLorled bulldlngs LhaL have been carved lnLo Lhe mounLaln face Lach monasLery comprlses
of llvlng quarLers sleeplng quarLers klLchen and oLher rooms Some monasLerles even have shrlnes
whlch are adorned wlLh carvlngs of Lord 8uddha bodhlsaLLvas and salnLs Many of Lhe sculpLures
adornlng Lhe caves look llke wood even Lhough Lhey have been carved ouL of sLone

1he mosL popular 8uddhlsL cave ls cave number Len whlch ls baslcally a chalLya hall (chandrashala)
known as vlshwakarma cave or CarpenLers Cave lL has a shape and deslgn much slmllar Lo LhaL of a
caLhedral 1he mulLlsLorled enLry of Lhe cave leads Lo Lhe chalLya whlch has celllngs LhaL glves Lhe
appearance of wooden beams laced ln Lhe mlddle of Lhe cave ls a 13fooL 8uddha sLaLue where Pe ls
shown seaLed ln a preachlng pose Cave number one Lo nlne are monasLerles whlle Lhe lasL Lwo are
called uo 1al (cave 11) 1ln 1al (cave 12)

n|ndu Caves
All Lhe Plndu caves have elaboraLe carvlngs done on Lhem rlghL from Lop Lo boLLom Cave number
slxLeen ls known as Lhe kallasa or kallasanaLha 1emple and ls probably Lhe mosL popular as well as more
exqulslLe of all Lhe Plndu caves aL Lllora 1he cave has been deslgned ln such a way so as Lo lllusLraLe
MounL kallash Lhe abode of Lord Shlva Carved ouL of a slngle plece of rock lL ls a mulLlsLorled Lemple
complex LhaL spreads over an area double Lhe slze of Lhe arLhenon ln ALhens

As one crosses Lhe LwosLorled gaLeway of Lhe caves a ushaped courLyard comes lnLo slghL 1hree
sLorles hlgh columned gallerles edge Lhe courLyard and sLand scaLLered wlLh huge sculpLed panels and
alcoves wlLh sculpLures of delLles 1he cenLral Lemple has been bullL as per SouLh lndlan archlLecLural
sLyle and houses Lhe Shlva Llngam along wlLh an lmage of Lhe nandl bull lllusLraLlve carvlngs adorn Lhe
lower sLorles of Lhe LwosLorled nandl Mandap whlch ls connecLed wlLh Lhe porch by a llvlng rock
brldge

MosL of Lhe delLles aL Lhe lefL of Lhe enLrance are ShalvalLe (followers of Lord Shlva) whlle Lhe rlghL hand
slde houses valshnavalLes delLles (followers of Lord vlshnu) 1he courLyard has Lwo plllars wlLh Lhe
flagsLaff known as uhva[asLambhas and houses a huge sculpLure of 8avana who ls shown aLLempLlng Lo
llfL MounL kallasa lL Look 200 years and 200000 Lonnes of rock Lo compleLe Lhls Lemple CLher
promlnenL Plndu caves are uasha AvaLara cave (cave 13) 8amesvara cave (cave 21) and uhumar Lena
cave (cave 29)

a|n Caves
!aln caves symbollze cerLaln speclal aspecLs of Lhe !aln rellglon especlally Lhe sLrlcL sense of asceLlclsm
1hough Lhe !aln caves are noL as much ln slze as Lhe oLher caves Lhey do exhlblL remarkably deLalled arL
works 1he LhlrLysecond cave ls known as lndra Sabha lL ls baslcally a shrlne whlch has a celllng LhaL ls
adorned wlLh a very dellcaLe carvlng of Lhe loLus flower

1here ls anoLher cave where one can see an lmpresslve yakshl seaLed on her llon under a mango Lree
whlch ls laden wlLh frulLs AlmosL all Lhe caves belonglng Lo Lhe !aln rellglon have lnLrlcaLe deLalllng LhaL
ornamenLs Lhelr lnLerlors Many of Lhe caves also have fragmenLs of palnLlngs ln Lhe celllngs whlch
sLand LesLlmony Lo Lhe facL LhaL once Lhey were decoraLed wlLh rlch lmages


:land Darwaza

Locat|on laLehpur Slkrl near Agra (uLLar radesh)
ounded 8y Mughal Lmperor Akbar
ounded In 1373

uland Darwaza, a massive gateway, is situated in Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted city near Agra.
Mughal Emperor Akbar got this gateway constructed as a commemoration oI his victory over the
King oI Khandesh (now Gujarat) in 1573. uland Darwaza oI Agra dates back to the year 1575
and has been built as per the Mughal style oI architecture. It holds the distinction oI being the
highest gateway oI not only India, rather the whole oI the world. It looms over the courtyard oI
the Jama Masjid and provides entrance to the mosque.

One needs to climb a Ilight oI 42 steps in order to reach the gateway, which stands tall at a height
oI 40 m. It is approximately 35 m in width and is made up oI red and buII sandstone, which has
been adorned with exquisite carving as well as inlaying oI white and black marble. On the
central Iace oI the uland Darwaza, an inscription has been carved. This inscription brings to
light the religious tolerance oI the great emperor. The gateway is also adorned with calligraphic
inscriptions Irom the Quran on the Iront and the pillars.

uland Darwaza comes across as semi octagonal in its plan and stands crowned by pillars and
chhatris. One can easily make out the early Mughal design oI the gateway, which is Ilanked by
towering arches. The rooI oI uland Darwaza has thirteen smaller domed kiosks. Apart Irom
that, there is a stylized battlement and a number oI small towers. The eastern archway oI the
uland Darwaza has been adorned with a Persian inscription, which gives an account oI Akbar's
conquest over Deccan in the year 1601.

4l :2-az

Locat|on 8l[apur karnaLaka
ounded 8y Muhammad Adll Shah
ounded In 1636

Gol Gumbaz is a mausoleum, situated in the ijapur city oI Karnataka. It serves as the last
resting place oI the seventh ruler oI the Adil Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Adil Shah. One oI the
most magniIicent structures built by the erstwhile Adil Shahi rulers, Gol Gumbaz today counts
amongst the major tourist attractions oI ijapur. The mausoleum has been built as per the Islamic
architectural style, which is Iound in India in general and the Deccan region in particular.

Almost all the hallmarks oI the traditional Islamic or Persian style oI architecture are reIlected in
the architecture oI Gol Gumbaz. These include a dome, diIIerent types oI shapely arches,
geometric proportions and use oI Islamic motiIs. However, one cannot ignore the local
inIluences that are clearly visible. The greatly Ioliated drum below the globular dome and the use
oI the local dark brown stone, which was a characteristic trait oI the ijapur buildings oI that
period, serve as a prooI oI the local inIluences.

Gol Gumbaz dates back to the year 1656 and was built by Muhammad Adil Shah in his own
liIetime. One oI the most impressive monuments in ijapur, the mausoleum is an enormous
cube, which is adorned with octagonal seven storied towers. Crowning the towers are small
rounded domes that are seen projecting at the corners. Each Iace oI the Gol Gumbaz is Ilanked
by three arches, with the central arch being huge in size. ordering the central arch are two
arches that are smaller in size.

The entrance to the arch has been inscribed with a Iew lines, which declare that the structure
houses the mortal remains oI Muhammad Adil Shah. There is a projection on the tomb walls is
aligned with the sixth story oI the corner towers. The projection is backed by closely set
brackets, which are topped by a band oI small arched openings. The ramparts oI the mausoleum
have an ornamental binding, looming beyond which is the spherical dome. The dome is huge,
with an internal diameter oI 125 Ieet and its apex being 200 Ieet high.

It is built in the typical ijapur style and has a Ioliated drum. Instead oI a pier, the dome oI Gol
Gumbaz has a pillar. The crescent Iinial that prevails over the spires illustrates the Turkish origin
oI the ruler. The interiors oI the monument have a single square chamber oI grandiose
magnitude. Each side oI the chamber is 135 Ieet high, with the walls being over 10 Ieet thick and
110 Ieet high. The ornamentations oI the mausoleum have been incorporated in the construction
in such a way that they reIlect an unusual Ieature oI simple grandeur.

Eight pointed intersected arches have been constructed Ior sustaining the colossal dome over the
square room. The arches are perIectly stable and are capable oI contracting any impetus Irom the
weight oI the dome. On the top oI the arches is a circular platIorm, which comes into contact
with the base oI the dome. An octagon was produced at the intersection between the square
chamber and circular base oI the dome to ensure an easy and transition Irom one to the other.

lndla CaLe
4.ati4n: Near Connaught Place, Delhi
Designed : Edwin Lutyens
F4:nded In: 1921
Signifi.an.e: War Memorial oI martyred soldiers
est Ti2e t4 Visit: Late evening

India Gate is a magniIicent monument, situated near the Iamous Connaught Place market oI New
Delhi. The ediIice was constructed as a commemorative structure, in the memory oI the soldiers
who lost their lives while Iighting in the World War I. Falling on the Rajpath; India Gate stands
tall at a height oI 42 m. It is a very popular picnic spot and people Irom all over Delhi come here
to enjoy and relax, especially in summer evenings. India Gate is also known as All India War
Memorial.

Edwin Lutyens, who was the man behind the design and construction oI the entire New Delhi,
designed this monument also. The Ioundation stone oI India Gate was laid down in the year
1921, by His Royal Highness, the Duke oI Connaught. Almost ten years later, the monument was
dedicated to the country, by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe",
comes across as a gateway in the middle oI a crossroad. It is designed in the shape oI an arch,
which stands on a low base oI red haratpur stone.

The arch oI India Gate mounts in stages to a huge cornice, underneath which Imperial suns have
been inscribed. oth the sides have been inscribed with the word 'India', which is Ilanked by the
dates MCMXIV (1914) on the leIt and MCMXIX (1919) on the right. There is a shallow domed
bowl at the top, which was initially intended to be Iilled with burning oil on special occasions.
However, this practice is not in vogue today. The names oI the martyred ritish and Indian
soldiers oI the AIghan war oI 1919 have been written on the Indian Gate.

Another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti, was added to the existing structure oI India Gate aIter the
country became independence. It is an arched memorial that has an eternal Ilame, which keeps
on burning day and night. The everlasting Ilame was lighted as a mark oI respect to the soldiers
who laid down their lives in the India-Pakistan War oI 1971. India Gate is encircled by a number
oI Iountains, which are beautiIully lit at night. The monument should be visited aIter dusk, when
it is magniIicently Iloodlit.



janta Caves
Locat|on Aurangabad ulsLrlcL MaharashLra
Status unLSCC World PerlLage SlLe (Slnce 1983)
ounded In 2nd cenLury 8C
Number of Caves 29
kepresent Plnayana and Lhe Mahayana secLs of 8uddhlsm

A[anLa Caves are rockcuL cave monumenLs slLuaLed near Lhe Aurangabad clLy of MaharashLra 1he
caves daLe back Lo Lhe 2nd cenLury 8C and were declared a unLSCC World PerlLage SlLe ln Lhe year
1983 1he caves of A[anLa are adorned wlLh boLh palnLlngs as well as sculpLures whlch are consldered Lo
be masLerpleces of 8uddhlsL rellglous arL LocaLed [usL ouLslde Lhe A[lnLha vlllage of Aurangabad dlsLrlcL
Lhe caves lle ln a wooded and [agged ravlne whlch ls almosL ln Lhe shape of a horseshoe

As per Lhe Archaeologlcal Survey of lndla Lhere are LwenLynlne caves ln LoLo A[anLa cave Lemples were
excavaLed from Lhe souLhern slde of Lhe preclplLous scarp by cuLLlng Lhe ravlne 1he alLlLude of Lhe
caves varles from 33 Lo 110 fL above Lhe bed of Lhe sLream 1here are a number of vlharas (monasLlc
halls of resldence) and chalLya grlhas (sLupa monumenL halls) lnslde Lhe A[anLa Caves of lndla 1hese
vlharas and chalLyas grlhas were cuL lnLo Lhe mounLaln cllffs ln Lwo dlsLlncL phases

1he flrsL phase of Lhe formaLlon of Lhe caves relaLes Lo Lhe Llme when Plnayana secL of 8uddhlsm was ln
force CfLen referred Lo as Lhe Lesser vehlcle of 8uddhlsm Lhe Plnayana SecL belleves ln Lhe symbollcal
worshlp of Lord 8uddha Slnce Lhe secL ls noL averse of 8uddha sLaLues one can see a few of Lhem ln Lhe
caves belonglng Lo Lhe phase of Plnayana secL namely cave numbers 9 10 12 13 and 13A Lord 8uddha
has been enshrlned ln Lhese caves ln Lhe form of a sLupa or a mound

1hree cenLurles laLer Lhe second phase of cuLLlng ouL Lhe caves was carrled ouL on Lhe same slLe 1hls
phase corresponded wlLh Lhe phase of Lhe Mahayana secL of 8uddhlsm Mahayana secL ls also known as
Lhe CreaLer vehlcle of 8uddhlsm 1hls secL ls more lenlenL and encourages dlrecL cow deplcLlon of Lord
8uddha lL ls belleved LhaL Lhe Mahayana caves were founded from 462 Lo 480 CL Caves number 1 2 3
4 3 6 7 8 11 14 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 23 26 27 28 and 29 belong Lo Lhls phase

Caves 9 and 10 belonglng Lo Lhe Plnayana phase are chalLya grlhas whlle Lhose numbered 12 13 and
13A are vlharas Cf Lhe caves belonglng Lo Lhe Mahayana phase caves 19 26 and 29 are chalLya grlhas
whlle Lhe resL numbered 1 2 3 3 6 7 8 11 14 13 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 23 27 and 28 are
vlharas 1he vlharas have varled slzes wlLh some of Lhem belng as much as 32 feeL long MosL of Lhem
are of a square shape and showcase a wlde varleLy as far as ornamenLaLlon and sLyle ls concerned

Some of Lhe vlharas have a slmple veneer whlle some are much more elaboraLe some have a porch
whlle some are wlLhouL one 1he early vlharas were more llke halls of resldence and congregaLlon and
dld noL have shrlnes 1he laLer ones however had shrlnes ln Lhe back walls 1he shrlnes were bullL Lo
house Lhe lmage of Lhe 8uddha ofLen seaLed ln Lhe dharmachakrapravarLana mudra le Lhe Leachlng
mudra 1he laLesL caves of A[anLa even have sldewalls along wlLh Lhe porch numerous vlharas slLuaLed
lnslde Lhe A[anLa cave Lemples sLand adorned wlLh carvlngs along wlLh palnLlngs on Lhe walls and Lhe
celllngs

#ed F4rt
Location: New Delhi
Founded y: M:ghal E25er4r Shah 1ahan
Founded In: 1638-1648
Status: UNESCO W4rld Heritage Site


The Red Fort oI Delhi serves as an articulate reminder oI the grandeur oI the Mughals. It is also
known as the 'Lal Quila' and Iinds a mention in the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list. Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan got the Iort constructed, when he shiIted Irom Agra, as the venue Ior his
new capital, Shahjahanabad - the seventh Muslim city in Delhi. The Iort was built, completely oI
red sandstone, at the eastern edge oI Shahjahanabad. InIact, Red Fort gets its name Irom the
massive red sandstone wall enclosing it.

The wall measures approximately 2.5 km in length, while its height varies Irom 16 m on the
riverside to 33 m towards the city. Situated along the Yamuna River, the Iort mostly stands
surrounded by a moat that was Ied through the river. In the northeastern corner oI Lal Quila, one
can see an older Iort. Known as Salimgarh, this Iort was built as a protection by Islam Shah Suri,
in the year 1546. The Ioundation oI the Iort was laid down in 1638 and it took approximately 10
years to complete it Iully.

As per another belieI, the old Iort is the ancient city oI "Lal Kot', invaded by Shah Jahan. In the
year 1783, Red Iort Iell to the Sikhs, who entered it and occupied the Diwan-i-Aam. At last, the
entire city oI Shahjahanabad was surrendered by the Mughal wazir in cahoots with his Sikh
Allies. The Revolt oI 1857 saw the Red Fort oI Delhi being used as the headquarters. Later,
ritish army claimed its occupation and destroyed numerous pavilions and gardens. It was only
in 1903 that restoration program on the Iort was undertaken.

Diwan-i-Aam oI the Red Fort is a massive pavilion, where the Emperor used to listen to the
petitions oI the public. In the middle oI the eastern wall oI the pavilion, one can see an
ornamented throne-balcony that was used by the emperor. The design oI the balcony was based
on the throne oI Solomon. Just behind the throne are the imposing private apartments oI the
Emperor. These apartments stand adorned with a row oI pavilions, which used to provide
magniIicent views oI the Yamuna River.

An incessant water channel, known as the Nahr-i-ehisht or the 'Stream oI Paradise', runs
through the center oI all the pavilions, connecting them in the process. The water channel draws
water Irom the Yamuna itselI, with the help oI a tower in the northeastern corner oI the Iort,
which is known as the Shah urj. The basic architectural style oI the Red Fort oI Delhi reIlects
Islamic inIluence. However, each oI the pavilions has some elements that are characteristic oI the
Hindu architecture, which is a typical trait oI Mughal buildings.

The two pavilions that lie in the southernmost corner oI the Iort used to serve as the zenanas (or
women's quarters). One oI them is known as Mumtaz Mahal and has been converted into a
museum. While, the larger as well as the more Ilamboyant one is the Rang Mahal (pleasure
palace). It stands Iestooned with a gilded ceiling and a marble pool, which is Ied by the Nahr-i-
ehisht. The third pavilion Irom the south is known as the Khas Mahal. This palace used to
house the remarkable royal chambers.

It comprises oI a suite oI bedrooms, prayer rooms, a veranda and the Mussaman urj, a tower.
The tower was used by the emperor to come in Iront oI his people in a daily ceremony. The next
pavilion that you will set your eye upon is the Diwan-i-Khas, the ostentatiously decorated hall
where all the private meetings oI the Emperor, along with the ministerial and court gatherings,
used to take place. It is the most magniIicent pavilion in the entire Lal Quila and is Iestooned
with stone-studded and gilded patterns on the columns.

The original ceiling oI this hall was made oI silver and inlaid with gold. However, this ceiling
was later replaced with a painted wooden one. The next pavilion in the Iort comprises oI the
hammam, or the Turkish style baths. Marble and colored stones were used to ornament the entire
structure. Moti Masjid, or the Pearl Mosque, lies to the west oI the baths and was added to the
Red Fort in the year 1659. It was built to serve as the private mosque oI Emperor Aurangzeb, the
successor oI Shah Jahan.

The mosque is a small three-domed structure oI white marble, with exquisite carvings and a
three-arched screen. The northern portion is covered by a Iormal garden known as the Hayat
akhsh agh, or the 'LiIe-estowing Garden'. In the middle oI the garden are two bisecting
channels oI water. On both the ends oI the channel, we see pavilions. The third pavilion in the
garden is situated at the intersection point oI the channels and was built by ahadur Shah ZaIar,
the last Mughal Emperor, in the year 1842.

ah4re ate
Lahore Gate provides the main entrance to the Red Fort. Flanked by semi-octagonal towers, the
gate is so named because it Iaces west, towards the city oI Lahore. Aurangzeb constructed the
ramparts beIore the original Lahore gate, with the aim oI making entry into the Iort more
diIIicult. It is at the top oI this IortiIication that the Prime Minister oI India hoists the national
Ilag every year, on the Independence Day.

In 1986, all the windows oI this gate were blocked with red sandstone Ior security reasons. In the
year 1965, a liIt was constructed just beIore the Lahore Gate and is now mainly used during the
Independence Day celebrations. There are a number oI structures inside the Lahore Gate. The
wooden doors oI the Lahore Gate are covered with bronze. It is said that these doors were so
heavy that elephants were used to open and close them.

Chatta Ch4wk
Chatta Chowk comprises oI the apartments that Ilank the passages one comes into aIter entering
the Lahore Gate. Another name Ior the chowk is Meena azaar and it was one oI the Iirst
covered bazaars oI the 17th century. During the Mughal era, shops were located on the upper as
well as lower arcades and used to sell silks, jewelry, gems, silver ware and other artistic objects.
However, today the shops occupy the lower arcade only and the items sold by them include
souvenirs, eatables and drinks. Natural sandstone was used to make the arcades oI the Chatta
Chow. The shops that were situated in the lower arcade had cusped arches.

Na:-at Khana (Naqqar Khana)
Naubat Khana, also known as Naqqar Khana, is the Drum House that was used Ior playing music
in the Mughal era, Iive times a day. Large musical instruments like kettledrums, hautboys
(shehnai) and cymbals were kept in the music galleries oI the house. Another name Ior the place
was Hathipol as everyone, with the exception oI royal princes, had to dismount Irom their
elephants (hathi) here only.

A red sandstone structure, it is rectangular in shape and is adorned with carved designs that were
originally painted with gold. In the interiors oI the Naqqar Khana, a combination oI colors was
used to paint diIIerent layers. The Iirst Iloor oI the ediIice has been converted into a War
Memorial Museum. It houses a rich collection oI arms and armaments that were once used by the
Mughal Emperors. Along with that, one can also see paintings oI various kings and rulers and a
brieI narration oI the Revolt oI 1857.

S4:nd and ight Sh4ws
One oI the major attractions oI the Red Fort comprises oI the Sound and Light Shows that
showcase particular phases oI Delhi's history. The shows are held both in Hindi as well as in
English.

Vi.t4ria Me24rial


Locat|on kolkaLa WesL 8engal
ounded 8y 1he rlnce of Wales
ounded In 1906
Memor|a||zes Cueen vlcLorla

vlcLorla Memorlal bullL ln Lhe memory of Cueen vlcLorla ls slLuaLed ln kolkaLa Lhe caplLal clLy of WesL
8engal 1he foundaLlon sLone of Lhe memorlal was lald down ln Lhe year 1906 by Lhe rlnce of Wales
AparL from belng a memorlal Lhe monumenL was lnLended Lo serve as a LrlbuLe Lo Lhe success of Lhe
8rlLlsh Lmplre ln lndla Lord Curzon was Lhe one who envlsaged Lhe maln ldea of Lhe erecLlon of Lhe
vlcLorla Memorlal Pall whlch was Lo serve as Lhe archlLecLural culmlnaLlon of Lhe kolkaLa clLy

Lven Lhe classlcal sLyle of Lhe monumenL was speclfled by Lord Curzon Lhe Lhen vlceroy Powever lL
was Slr Wllllam Lmerson a renowned archlLecL who lald down by Lhe acLual plan of Lhe memorlal 1he
deslgn of Lhe sLrucLure represenLs an amazlng fuslon of 8rlLlsh and Mughal archlLecLure WhlLe Makrana
marbles were used ln Lhe consLrucLlon of vlcLorla Memorlal Pall and Lhe bulldlng was lnauguraLed ln Lhe
year 1921 1he masslve hall ls 338 by 228 feeL and rlses Lo a helghL of 184 feeL

A very lnLeresLlng facL relaLed Lo Lhe memorlal ls LhaL money of Lhe 8rlLlsh governmenL was noL used ln
lLs consLrucLlon aL all 8aLher Lhe 8rlLlsh lndlan sLaLes along wlLh Lhe lndlvlduals who wanLed some
favors from Lhe 8rlLlsh governmenL were Lhe maln conLrlbuLors Lowards Lhe cosL of bulldlng Lhe vlcLorla
Memorlal Pall whlch came Lo somewhere around 10 mllllon 1he memorlal ls masslve ln lLs slze and
sLands enclosed wlLhln bloomlng gardens LhaL spread over Lo an area of 64 acres

1he Lop of Lhe memorlal sLands adorned wlLh a slxLeenfooL Lall bronze sLaLue of vlcLorla lL ls mounLed
on ball bearlngs and roLaLes wlLh Lhe wlnd resenLly Lhe vlcLorla Memorlal houses a museum where
one flnds an amazlng compllaLlon of Lhe memorabllla of vlcLorla palnLlngs of 8rlLlsh rule and oLher
exhlblLs 1he collecLlon lncludes weapons sculpLors palnLlngs maps colns sLamps arLlfacLs LexLlles
eLc 1he 8oyal gallery of Lhe vlcLorla Memorlal houses some splendld porLralLs of Cueen vlcLorla and
rlnce AlberL

1hen Lhere are a number of palnLlngs LhaL lllusLraLe Lhe llfe of Lhe Cueen Powever Lhe mosL
remarkable palnLlng ls Lhe one made by Lhe 8usslan arLlsL vassell veresLchagln Pe has porLrayed Lhe
scene of Lhe sLaLe enLry of rlnce of Wales ln !alpur ln 1876 AfLer lndla galned lndependence ln Lhe
year 1947 cerLaln addlLlons were made Lo Lhe vlcLorla Memorlal 1hese addlLlons comprlsed of naLlonal
Leaders Callery conLalnlng Lhe porLralLs and rellcs of Lhe freedom flghLers Cne musL vlslL Lhe memorlal
aL nlghL when lL ls beauLlfully lllumlnaLed


Hawa Mahal

Locat|on !alpur 8a[asLhan
ounded 8y Mahara[a Sawal raLap Slngh
ounded In 1799
Arch|tect Mr Lal Chand usLa

Pawa Mahal ls a magnlflcenL bulldlng slLuaLed ln Lhe lnk ClLy of !alpur A mulLllayered monumenL lL
daLes back Lo Lhe year 1799 1he palace was bullL under Lhe paLronage of Sawal raLap Slngh Lhe grand
son of Sawal !al Slngh and son of Sawal Madhoo Slngh Mr Lal Chand usLa was selecLed as Lhe archlLecL
of Lhe splendld Pawa Mahal 1he sLrucLure of Lhe palace looks qulLe slmllar Lo a beehlve lL has been
consLrucLed ouL of red and plnk sand sLone whlch have been meLlculously ouLllned wlLh whlLe borders
and moLlfs

1he palace sLands overlooklng one of Lhe maln sLreeLs of !alpur lL was lnlLlally lnLended Lo serve as Lhe
place from where women of Lhe courL could waLch Lhe acLlvlLles Laklng place ln Lhe bazaar and Lhe
surroundlng sLreeLs from Lhe comforL of sLonecarved screens Pawa Mahal has over 900 nlches and
has been bullL ln Lhe shape of Lhe crown LhaL adorns Lord krlshnas head 1he palace has flve sLorles and
ls ornamenLed wlLh small casemenLs each of Lhem havlng Llny wlndows and arched roofs

1he lnner face of Lhe palace as well as Lhe chambers ls qulLe plaln and lacks any ornamenLaLlon 1he
enLry of Lhe palace ls from lLs rear raLher Lhan lLs fronL porLlon A ma[esLlc door provldes Lhe enLry Lo
Lhe palace and Lhe flrsL sLrucLure LhaL one comes across ls a spaclous courLyard Surroundlng Lhe
courLyard on Lhree sldes ls a doublesLorled bulldlng 1he bulldlng houses an archaeologlcal museum
lnslde lLs premlses Cnly Lhe easLern wlng of Lhe Pawa Mahal has Lhree more sLorles above

Pawa Mahal sLands on Lop of a hlgh podlum and rlses Lo a helghL of flfLy feeL 1he Lhlckness of Lhe
palace ls even less Lhan a fooL and lL comprlses of a number of small personal chambers lnsLead of
regular sLalrs Lhere are ramps reachlng Lhe upper floors As one looks up from Lhe roadslde Pawa
Mahal comes across as a dellcaLe screen wlLh lLs numerous casemenLs LlLLle laLLlce worked wlndows
small balconles and arched roofs wlLh hanglng cornlces make Lhe palace deflnlLely worLh a vlslL

Vivekananda Me24rial
4.ati4n: Kanyakumari
F4:nded : Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee
F4:nded In: 1970
r.hite.t: Sthapati Sri S.K. Achari
est Ti2e t4 Visit: Throughout the year
Ti2ings: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Daily (Except Tuesday)

Vivekananda Memorial is situated near the city oI Kanyakumari, which lies at the southernmost
tip oI the Indian Peninsula. The meeting point oI Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the ay oI
engal, the city is known Ior its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. It is in the sea that we see a
rocky islet, at a distance oI approximately 400 m Irom the shore. On this islet stands a
magniIicent monument called the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, dedicated to Swami
Vivekananda, a leader, a philosopher a social reIormer.

The memorial was built under the aegis oI the Vivekananda Memorial Committee. It dates back
to the year 1970 and was built in the commemoration oI the visit oI the great leader to the islet.
Swami Vivekananda visited the city oI Kanyakumari in 1892. One day, he swam in the sea and
reached the islet. He stayed there Ior an entire night and kept on meditating. It is believed that it
was here that he received enlightenment. The Vivekanand Rock Memorial was later erected in
honor oI his visit.

Sthapati Sri S.K. Achari was the architect oI the memorial, which was later consecrated by
Srimad Swami Vireshwarananda, the President oI Ramakrishna Mission. The oIIicial
inauguration ceremony oI the monument was held in September 1970 and it was conducted by
Sri. V.V. Giri, the then President oI India. There are two main structures that make up the entire
complex oI the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, namely Vivekananda Mandapam and Shripada
Mandapam.

Shri5ada Manda5a2
Each oI the madapams is situated on a rock, which lie at a distance oI about 70 meters. The
smaller one is known as 'Sripada Parai' and is believed to be the place where Goddess Kanya
Kumari meditated. Standing as a testimony to this incident are imprints oI Ieet, believed to be
those oI the Goddess. The Iootprints have now been enclosed in a shrine, which has been given
the name oI Sripada Mandapam. The shrine comprises oI the sanctum sanctorum, an inner
parikrama (passageway), an outer parikrama (passageway) and an outer platIorm all around it.

Vivekananda Manda5a2
Vivekananda Mandapam is a large complex, which comprises oI a number oI structures. One oI
them is the Dhyana Mandapam, a huge meditation hall with six adjacent rooms. Visitors coming
here use them Ior meditation purposes. Then, there is the Sabha Mandapam, an assembly hall
with two rooms and a corridor. There is also an open parikrama (passageway) around the Sabha
Mandapam.

Inside the hall is the statue oI Swami Vivekananda in a standing posture, in which he is looking
towards the 'Sripadam'. The main entrance oI the Vivekananda Mandapam has the symbol 'om'
written on the top, in Tamil language. The architecture oI the mandapam represents an
amalgamation oI styles oI temple architecture Irom diIIerent parts oI India. The main entrance to
the Vivekananda Mandapam is provided by a Ilight oI steps.

Chitt4rgarh F4rt

4.ati4n: 175 km Irom Udaipur, Rajasthan
rea: 700 acres

Chittorgarh Fort is situated at a distance oI 175 km to the east oI the Udaipur city oI Rajasthan.
In the past, the Iort comprised oI one oI the most desired seats oI power in India. The Iort is
believed to have been named aIter Chitrangad Maurya. It is said that the Chittorgarh Fort was
given to appa Rawal, Iounder oI the Sisodia dynasty, as dowry in mid-8th century, when he
married the princess oI the Solanki dynasty. Spread over an area oI 700 acres, the Iort comprises
oI numerous ramparts, palaces, temples and towers.

Chittorgarh Iort is reached through a zigzag road oI one km. It stands on a 180 m high hill, which
seems to be rising Irom the plains below. The road that brings one to the Iort Iurther leads to its
seven gates, namely Padan Pol, hairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jorla Pol, Lakshman Pol
and Ram Pol. etween the second and third gate, you will come across two chattris (cenotaphs),
which were constructed in honor oI Jaimull and Kulla, the two heroes oI the siege laid by
Emperor Akbar in the year 1568.

Suraj Pol, or the 'Sun Gate', is the main gate oI the Chittorgarh Iort oI Rajasthan. There are a
number oI palaces inside the Iort complex, such as Rana Kumbha Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace
and Rani Padmini's Palace. All the palaces, along with the Tower oI Victory, boast oI Rajput
architecture. Several temples, reservoirs and palaces were added on to the Iort later, somewhere
between the 9th and 17th century. One can also see a huge complex oI Jain temples inside the
premises oI the Chittorgarh Iort.

There is also an opening inside the Iort, where Rani Padmini is said to have committed Jauhar
(selI-immolation by the Iemales), along with the other women oI the court. Situated close to this
opening is a big water reservoir, where water Ilows out Irom a rock that is shaped in the Iorm oI
cow's mouth. The shape oI the rock has led to the reservoir being called as 'Gaumukh' (cow's
mouth). Other major attractions oI Chittorgarh Iort include himtal Tank, Neelkanth Mahadev
Temple, Meera Temple, Kumbha Shyam Temple and Kalika Mata Temple.

The most popular structures oI the Iort comprise oI its two magniIicent towers, namely 'Kirti
Stambh' or the 'Tower oI Fame' and 'Vijay Stambh' or the 'Tower oI Victory'.

Kirti Sta2-h
Kirti Stambh is also known as the 'Tower oI Fame'. It is a seven-storied structure that narrows
down Irom the bottom to the top, with its width lessening Irom 30 It at the base to 15 It at the
top. The tower has a tapered stairway with 54 steps and was constructed around the 12th century.
It is dedicated to Adinath, the Iirst Jain Tirthankara, and houses a striking 5 It high statue oI the
saint. The Jain sculptures adorning the tower were bought Irom outside the state.

Vija Sta2-h
Vijay Stambh is also known as the 'Tower oI Victory'. Maharana Kumbha got this tower built in
the year 1440, as a commemoration oI his victory over Mohammed Khilji. It is perched on a
plinth that is 47 square It wide and 10 It high. Vijay Stambh is 122 It in height and has a width oI
30 It at the base. The nine-storied tower stands ornamented with sculptures oI Hindu deities as
well as stories Irom the Great Indian Epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. A circular stairway
with 157 steps leads to the terrace, which provides a splendid view oI the city.

Invasi4ns
Chittorgarh Fort has been annexed by a stronger army three times in its past. The Iirst siege
occurred in the year 1303, when King Ala-ud-Din Khilji attacked the Iort to kidnap Queen
Padmini, wiIe oI Rana Rattan Singh. Sultan ahadur Shah oI Gujarat seized the Iort in 1535. The
last, and the Iinal, siege on the Iort was laid by Mughal Emperor Akbar, who razed the Iort to the
rubble once again. It was only in 1616 that Mughal emperor Jehangir restored Chittorgarh Iort
back to the Rajputs, but even then, it was not resettled.