Important Monuments of India : India is rich in history, culture, and architectural wonders. Its heritage includes ancient forts, palaces, iconic temples, structures, and tombs. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is tasked with the conservation and preservation of these monuments, ensuring their protection for future generations.
Facts related to Important Monuments of India form an essential part of competitive examinations, such as the UPSC Civil Services Exam. For the UPSC IAS exam, it is important to have a solid understanding of India's most significant historical monuments. Read on for an overview of the important Monuments of India for UPSC exam .List of Historical Monuments of India | |||
Monument | Location | Built By | Year Built |
Taj Mahal | Agra, Uttar Pradesh | Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan | 1631-1648 |
Red Fort | Delhi | Shah Jahan | Mid 17th century |
Qutub Minar | Delhi | Mamluk Dynasty | 1193-1368 |
Humayun's Tomb | Delhi | Empress Bega Begum | 1565-1570 |
Fatehpur Sikri | Agra, Uttar Pradesh | Mughal Emperor Akbar | 1571-1585 |
Ajanta Caves | Aurangabad, Maharashtra | Buddhist monks | 2nd century BCE - 6th century CE |
Ellora Caves | Aurangabad, Maharashtra | Buddhist, Hindu, Jain monks | 6th-11th centuries |
Khajuraho Temples | Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh | Chandela Dynasty | 950-1050 |
Konark Sun Temple | Konark, Odisha | Eastern Ganga Dynasty | 13th century |
Meenakshi Temple | Madurai, Tamil Nadu | Pandya Dynasty | 7th century |
Sanchi Stupa | Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh | Maurya Empire | 1st - 3rd century BCE |
Hampi | Karnataka | Vijayanagar Empire | 14th century |
Mahabalipuram | Tamil Nadu | Pallava Dynasty | 7th century |
Elephanta Caves | Maharashtra | Rashtrakuta rulers | 5th to 6th centuries |
Rani ki Vav | Patan, Gujarat | Chalukya Dynasty | 11th century |
Charminar | Hyderabad, Telangana | Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah | 1591 |
Qutb Shahi Tombs | Hyderabad, Telangana | Qutb Shahi dynasty | 16th-17th centuries |
Golconda Fort | Hyderabad, Telangana | Bahmani Sultanate | 13th century |
Brihadeeswara Temple | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu | Rajaraja Chola I | 11th century |
Mahabodhi Temple | Bodh Gaya, Bihar | Ashoka | 3rd century BCE |
List of Important Monuments of India with Interesting Facts | |
Monument | Interesting Facts |
Taj Mahal | Known as the "Crown of Palaces." |
Qutub Minar | The tallest brick minaret in the world. |
Red Fort | Originally known as “Qila-e-Mubarak” |
India Gate | It is a WWI war memorial dedicated to 82,000 Indian soldiers |
Humayun's Tomb | The first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent |
Ajanta Caves | Its Sculptures are carved out of stone using only a hammer and chisel |
Ellora Caves | A unique combination of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples |
Gateway of India | Built to commemorate the visit of King George V to India in 1911. |
Hawa Mahal | The "Palace of Winds," was built for royal women to observe street festivals. |
Amer Fort | Known for its artistic Hindu-style elements |
City Palace | Fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture |
Jaisalmer Fort | One of the largest fully preserved fortified cities in the world. |
Mysore Palace | Famous for its Dussehra celebrations. |
Charminar | Built to commemorate the end of a deadly plague. |
Sanchi Stupa | One of the oldest stone structures in India. |
Khajuraho Temples | ASI ranked it for best-preserved monuments of antiquity |
Konark Sun Temple | Known for the sundial, an ancient method ‘pahar’ (3 hours) to tell time |
Mahabalipuram | Most of the monuments are carved out of one single rock |
Brihadeeswarar Temple | One of the largest South Indian temples and is made from a single piece of stone |
Victoria Memorial | A marble building built in memory of Queen Victoria. |
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