Ann a student of Travel and hospitality sector was researching on her summer project-The Forts and Palaces of India. “Hey, your studies are interesting”, exclaimed her brother peeping out of his thick physics book of twelfth standard and “look at me, always need to sleep and eat with atoms and chemicals”, he grimaced and closed his book. “Tell me how India got so many forts and palaces”.
“It is simple” said Ann. India has a rich and long history in which various dynasties ruled different parts of country and this is what gave us such a rich heritage. These palaces offer an insight into the life of the royalty of the country. While many a monuments of erstwhile period have been destroyed, government has gone out of way to restore and maintain these buildings in the best possible manner.
Special highlights of these forts and palaces are the arched gateways, carved marble columns, arcade corridors, various royal museums showcasing royal treasures and personal belongings of the Rajas and Maharajas and their queens. Strolling through these architectural wonders one can soak in the feeling of royalty and relive the majestic grandeur that once was in the golden era of India.
Many of these palaces have also been converted into museums or hotels, while some palaces are still lived in by the royal family member. A India Tour of these magnificent architect marvels is always any tourist delight explained Ann.
“Oh, is that so”, stated Tom, getting more and more drawn in the conversation. I thought that no one lives in these palaces and also that a fort is only in Delhi and nowhere else. “Not at all brother”, said a confident Ann. Let me tell you about forts and palaces in various parts of India:
•The forts in Delhi: Delhi, the capital of India, boasts of many forts and palaces that have played crucial roles during various periods of Indian history. The Red fort, built by Emperor Shahjahan is extremely prominent in the city and has become one of the national symbols, after all the Prime Minister of country addresses the nation from this place on every Independence day. This fort has had a rich history including invasions and massacres.
The other important forts in Delhi are Tughlaqabad, Siri fort, Purana Quila and Firoz Shah Kotla.
Forts and Palaces of:
•Rajasthan: Rajasthan’s forts and palaces are the major tourist destination in North India Tour primarily because the state has rich history and was also ruled by many kingdoms. These rulers were great connoisseurs of art and brilliant builders. The most famous forts and palaces in Rajasthan are located in Chittor, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmir, Amber and Nahargarh.
•Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh the Agra fort was the centre of Indian politics for a long time from the reign of the Lodhis to the Mughal emperor Shahjahan, who shifted the capital to Delhi. The fort is one of the most impressive structures in the world Taj Mahal and along with the complex in Fatehpur Sikri is the finest example of Mughal palace architecture. There are some other notable forts and palaces in Allahabad, Aligarh and Jaunpur.
•Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh has many forts from the era of early Islamic rulers of 12th to 15th century, followed by the Hindu Rajputs and Maratha rulers. Some important forts were also built by the 18th century tribal rulers.
•Maharashtra: Maharashtra came into prominence during the reign of the Maratha king Shivaji. The Marathas were in constant conflict with the Mughals and this is when Shivaji built many forts to continue his fight against the Mughals. There are other forts built by the early Turkish sultans of Delhi and the Portuguese.
“I am impressed and amazed”, said an awed Tom. “Let’s request parents to take us on a tour of all these”, he stated.
“It is simple” said Ann. India has a rich and long history in which various dynasties ruled different parts of country and this is what gave us such a rich heritage. These palaces offer an insight into the life of the royalty of the country. While many a monuments of erstwhile period have been destroyed, government has gone out of way to restore and maintain these buildings in the best possible manner.
Special highlights of these forts and palaces are the arched gateways, carved marble columns, arcade corridors, various royal museums showcasing royal treasures and personal belongings of the Rajas and Maharajas and their queens. Strolling through these architectural wonders one can soak in the feeling of royalty and relive the majestic grandeur that once was in the golden era of India.
Many of these palaces have also been converted into museums or hotels, while some palaces are still lived in by the royal family member. A India Tour of these magnificent architect marvels is always any tourist delight explained Ann.
“Oh, is that so”, stated Tom, getting more and more drawn in the conversation. I thought that no one lives in these palaces and also that a fort is only in Delhi and nowhere else. “Not at all brother”, said a confident Ann. Let me tell you about forts and palaces in various parts of India:
•The forts in Delhi: Delhi, the capital of India, boasts of many forts and palaces that have played crucial roles during various periods of Indian history. The Red fort, built by Emperor Shahjahan is extremely prominent in the city and has become one of the national symbols, after all the Prime Minister of country addresses the nation from this place on every Independence day. This fort has had a rich history including invasions and massacres.
The other important forts in Delhi are Tughlaqabad, Siri fort, Purana Quila and Firoz Shah Kotla.
Forts and Palaces of:
•Rajasthan: Rajasthan’s forts and palaces are the major tourist destination in North India Tour primarily because the state has rich history and was also ruled by many kingdoms. These rulers were great connoisseurs of art and brilliant builders. The most famous forts and palaces in Rajasthan are located in Chittor, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmir, Amber and Nahargarh.
•Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh the Agra fort was the centre of Indian politics for a long time from the reign of the Lodhis to the Mughal emperor Shahjahan, who shifted the capital to Delhi. The fort is one of the most impressive structures in the world Taj Mahal and along with the complex in Fatehpur Sikri is the finest example of Mughal palace architecture. There are some other notable forts and palaces in Allahabad, Aligarh and Jaunpur.
•Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh has many forts from the era of early Islamic rulers of 12th to 15th century, followed by the Hindu Rajputs and Maratha rulers. Some important forts were also built by the 18th century tribal rulers.
•Maharashtra: Maharashtra came into prominence during the reign of the Maratha king Shivaji. The Marathas were in constant conflict with the Mughals and this is when Shivaji built many forts to continue his fight against the Mughals. There are other forts built by the early Turkish sultans of Delhi and the Portuguese.
“I am impressed and amazed”, said an awed Tom. “Let’s request parents to take us on a tour of all these”, he stated.
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