FORT & PALACES
World is blessed with a lot of marvellous structures and buildings which are spread all across the globe. Among these structures are the very glorious forts and beautiful palaces. Forts and palaces are highly famous for their architecture and design. These forts and palaces are built with a purpose and not merely for tourist attraction. Floats of flowers in a fountain, shimmering blue water of pools, Doric pillars, ornamental brackets, decorative staircases, light streaming in through large windows, India possess some of the most fascinating forts and palaces, a true royal retreat. The grandeur and sweep of Indian forts and palaces takes one by surprise. These forts and palaces are the largest illustrations and legacy of the princely states of India.
The architectural grandeur and magnificence of these forts and palaces makes the visitors feel the ebb and flow of the Indian history. Today, most of these forts and palaces have been converted into hotels. Your arrival at these palace-hotels is like an historical event, full of pomp and grandeur. Some of the famous forts are located in Indian states of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Karnataka and Tamilnadu. It is said that Rajasthan houses the largest number of forts in the world. Built by the legendary kings of this desert land , these forts today are a great tourist attractions. Of all the Indian monuments, forts and palaces are most fascinating. Most of the Indian forts were built as a defence mechanism to keep the enemy away. In fact, whole India is dotted with forts of varied sizes. The magnificent forts and palaces of Rajasthan were built during the medieval period.
These magnificent forts cannot be described in words as they will look too small in front of splendour of forts that beautify India. Some prominent forts of Rajasthan are Amber fort, Chittorgarh fort, Jaisalmer fort, Lohagarh fort, Bikaner fort and Jaigarh fort. Delhi, the capital of India also boasts of some great forts. Some of the notable forts of Delhi are the Red fort, Purana Quila and the Tughlaqabad fort. These grand forts clearly depict the glory of Indian majestic past.
Following are some of the major forts & palaces in India.
MAJOR FORTS IN INDIA
Agra Fort
The majestic Agra fort was built by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar in 1565-75. The Agra fort contains numerous impressive structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid. The Agra fort is enclosed by a double battlemented massive wall of red sandstone.
Amber Fort
The Amber fort is situate in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state. The Amber Fort presents a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Raja Man Singh built the Amber fort in the sixteenth century (the construction of the Amber Fort was started in 1592).
Chittorgarh Fort
In the pages of history Chittorgarh holds a proud place and regarded as the symbol of Rajput chivalry, resistance and bravery. The Chittorgarh fort is situated 175 km to the east of Udaipur and is named after Chitrangad Maurya. Chittorgarh covers an area seven mile covering 700 acres of land with its fortifications, palaces, temples and towers.
Delhi Fort
The Red fort (Lal Qila) at Delhi was built by Shah Jahan on the banks of river Yamuna. The Red fort at Delhi is one of the massive forts in India and is a witness to the heyday of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan built the Red fort as the citadel of Shahjahanabad, his new capital at Delhi.
Gwalior Fort
The Gwalior fort spreads out over an area of 3 square km, surrounded by concrete walls of sandstone. The Gwalior fort encloses three temples, six palaces and numerous water tanks. At a point of time Gwalior fort was regarded as North and Central India's most invincible fortress.
Jaigarh Fort
The magnificent Jaigarh fort is located near Jaipur. Jaigarh fort or the fort of victory was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1726. The Fort stands in the middle of thorn and scrub hills, which impart it a stout look. The Jaigarh fort gives an amazing view of the city below.
Jaisalmer Fort
One of the oldest and massive forts of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer fort is located in the remote Thar Desert. In the medieval times, the location of Jaisalmer on the trade route made it a prosperous town. Jaisalmer came to be celebrated for the chivalry and bravery of its rulers and also for the aesthetic sense represented by its palaces and Havelis.
Junagarh Fort
Located in Bikaner, the Junagarh fort is one of the most impressive fort complexes in India. Junagarh fort was built by Raja Rai Singh in 1588 AD. Junagarh fort is one of those few forts that are not built on a hilltop. The fort complex consists of palaces, courtyards, pavilions and balconies.
Lohagarh Fort
Lohagarh fort or the Iron fort was built in the early 18th century by the Jat ruler, Maharaja Suraj Mal. The Lohagarh fort is a living testimony to the chivalry and bravery of the Jat rulers of Bharatpur. Due to its impregnable defences the fort came to be known by name of Lohagarh.
Purana Quila
The Purana Quila or the old fort was constructed by Humayun and Sher Shah. The old fort complex covers an area of about a mile. The walls of Purana Quila have three gates (the Humayun Darwaza, Talaqi Darwaza and Bara Darwaza) and are surrounded by a moat, which was fed by river Yamuna.
Tughlaqabad Fort
In a state of total ruin, the Tughlaqabad fort was once a symbolic of the might of the Tughlaq dynasty. The Tughlaqabad fort was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty. The fort is spread over an extensive area and a piece of architectural marvel.
Golconda Fort
A majestic fortress on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is one of the grandest forts of India. Built around 12th and 16th Century by various Qutub Shahi rulers, this fort has a rich history that is almost 400 years old. It is definitely a place worth visiting in case you are traveling to the south of India.
Srirangapatna Fort
One of the prime attractions in Mysore, Karnataka is the famous Srirangapatnam fort. Built in the year 1537 by a feudal lord, this magnificent fort is considered to be the second toughest fort of India. The Srirangapatna Fort has four main entrances known by the names of Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore and Water and Elephant gates.
MAJOR PALACES IN INDIA
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Situated in Jodhpur, it ranks as one of the world's largest residences! The impression the 347 room palace leaves you with, is that of romance juxtaposed alongside beauty. It also conjures inside you a nostalgia for the glory days of the Rajputs.
Lake Palace
Situated on Lake Pichola, the Lake Palace of Udaipur, is one of the finest examples of Oriental workmanship. Built by the Sisodias in the 17th century, the palace is characterised by luxury and splendour – which was the hallmark of the Rajputs in the medieval ages.
Jaivilas Palace
Situated in Gwalior, the Jai Vilas Palace resembles a quaint Mediterranean resort. It was built between 1872 and 1874 by Maharaja Jayji Rao to welcome the 'Prince of Wales' on his trip to India.
Chail Palace
Lying on the Shivalik slopes of Chailitis, the palace is a fine example of elegance, opulence and comfort. Once the royal resort was summer retreat of the Maharaja of Patiala, It also boasts of the highest cricket field in the world.
Rambagh Palace
Rambagh Palace is a living legend in Jaipur. Built in 1835 on a modest scale for the queen’s favourite handmaiden Kesar Badaran, and later refurbished as a royal guesthouse and hunting lodge, the mansion was renamed Rambagh, after the then reigning Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II.
City Palace, Jaipur
The City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the far sightedness of the founder of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh. The palace is blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture and the royal family still lives in a part of the palace. Some very delicate miniature paintings in Rajasthani, Mughal and Persian schools on various themes including the Ramayana are some very engrossing displays.
City Palace, Udaipur
The magnificent palace started by Maharana Udai Singh II and completed at different time periods is the largest palace complex of Rajasthan. The City Palace of Udaipur stands majestically on the hill guarded by crenellated fort walls at the centre of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India. Built in granite and marble it magnificently towers over the Lake Pichola. A riot of arches, domes, turrets, crenellations and chattris crown the steep fortress.
Gajner Palace
Gajner Palace, Bikaner was built by Maharaja Ganga Singhji. With greenery all around there was a time when this palace used to be the hunting lodge of the royals of Rajasthan. Built in red sandstone this beautiful structure is an architectural grandeur. With a wildlife sanctuary located right next to it.
Gol Bagh Palace
The town was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal and is popularly known as the Eastern Gate of Rajasthan. Maharaja Kishan Singh of Bharatpur built Gol Bagh Palace in 1903 as a private hunting lodge.
Thirumalai Palace
Thirumalai Naick, the builder of this magnificent palace ruled as the seventh ruler of the Madurai Naick dynasty. He ruled Madurai from 1623 to 1659 A.D. He was the master builder of this age and he made magnificent contributions in the realms of art and architecture. |
