Top 6 Historical Places You Should Visit in India

Calling all history buffs, fanatics and nerds out there; your time has finally come! Chances are that if you love facts, you probably aced the subject in school right? So did I! So what if people call us nerds?! We own it and continue to show our love for it with the best way for doing so, visiting historical sites!

With a rich history spanning over thousands of years, India is a paradise for historians, archaeologists, curators, and of course history fans! From sites to monuments each with their own unique legends and experiences, it is a fascinating place to be in. It is so because over the centuries, various kings, dynasties, and empires have influenced the landscape of this country, bringing their own cultures to form a blend that is unique to India. But wait, all of this you already know! So let’s move on to the list of 8 historical places in India you should visit to amplify your love for all things old, grand, and beautiful of course!

1The Great Majesty Of The Taj Mahal

No list of historical places in India is ever complete without the inclusion of the Taj Mahal. Perhaps only a few places, like a handful, could come even close to the beauty, grandeur, and all the legends surrounding this great testament to love! Breaking ground in 1632 after being commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this tribute to his late and most beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal took over 22 years to build! For those history buffs visiting the monument soon, don’t forget to catch the nighttime shows at the Taj Mahal, the most famous historical place in India!

2The Striking Chittorgarh Fort

Towering over the surrounding valley, the striking bastion of the Chittorgarh Fort had been the crown jewel of the Rajputs of Mewar for centuries! One of the largest and the most legendary historical places in India, it is spread over a whopping 700 acres and is primarily remembered for the glorious battles that took place outside and inside its walls, some of which altered the course of history towards what it is today and sadly left much of the buildings inside in ruins. 

Two of the most important ones include the conquest by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 which was thwarted by Rani Padmini’s committing of Jauhar (self-immolation) and the capture of the fort by the Mughals in 1568 which sealed the fate for Mughal domination of Rajputana. Also, it is haunted.

3The ‘Imprisoned’ History Of The Cellular Jail In Port Blair

All we know about this important piece of Indian colonial history is from our history books in school and that a few freedom fighters were sent to this place located on some distant island in the Bay of Bengal. Well, it was a place where those fighting for our country’s freedom and for rebellion against the British were imprisoned and shed a lot of blood. Some of them included famous names like Veer Savarkar and Batukeshwar Dutt. The prisoners were also kept in a way that no one could talk to another prisoner, part of the torturous tactics used by the British.

It has a more menacing name ‘Kala Paani’ because of the water that surrounded the jail to prevent the prisoners from escaping. Do not miss out on the amazing light and sound show happening there!

4The Grandeur Of The Laxmi Vilas Palace In Udaipur

Known as the largest private residence in the world (4 times the size of Buckingham Palace), Vadodara’s Laxmi Vilas Palace is home to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Consisting of an eclectic mix of architectural influences, it designed using the Indo-Saracenic Revival style with its Royal Durbar Hall using Venetian mosaics in its flooring and Belgian stained glass windows! Its grounds have a magnificent Italian fountain with bronze and terracotta sculptures donning its courtyard. So if you are an architectural history fan, no better place to be than the Laxmi Vilas Palace.

5The Towering Meenakshi Amman Temple

No one can deny that this is one of the most beautiful temples and one of the most famous historical places in India. Giving off the perfect old-world charm, this monumental dedication to the goddess Meenakshi, the festivals here attract tourists from all over the world! 

The temple complex has 12 gateways known as Gopurams, 2 Viamnas which are shrines over the sanctums of its main deities (also its most recognisable features), ponds with golden lotuses, a thousand pillared hall, and many more marvellous features! Spread over six hectares, it is also the largest temple complex in India.

6The Amazing Stone Masonry Of Mahabalipuram

For those who loved the intricate stone carvings at Elephanta Caves & Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the complex of monuments at Mahabalipuram are sure to amaze you! Built during the height of the Pallava Dynasty, this testament to dynastic power took over 12 years to be completed. 

Consisting of 11 temples with a unique mixture of Buddhist and Dravidian architectural styles, the Shore Temple is the one that attracts the largest number of tourists to this charming seaside town. Visit this town for the annual dance festival during the months of December and January. 

7The Stunning Rani Ki Vav

Imagine a temple, only upside down. Now think that it was never a temple but a step well instead! It is known as Rani Ki Vav or the Queen’s StepWell. One of the most beautiful and famous historical places in India, it is located near the Saraswati River in Gujarat, it is paradise for history and architecture lovers everywhere. Although its primary purpose was to store water, it gained popularity for its intricate carvings of various deities in a seven story-deep structure.

Interesting fact- At the bottom of the well, there is a door that leads to a tunnel which opens up inside a nearby town!

8The Lifelong Teachings Of Nalanda University

One of the oldest universities to exist in the world, it was a world renowned institution for nearly 800 years! However, it was destroyed and sadly fell into ruins over the course of 3 invasions (by the Gaudas, the Huns, and by the Khilji Dynasty) with only a small part of this huge campus being excavated. A visit to this place is sure to be an enriching experience in terms of buddhism, architecture, and of course history. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site, with the construction of a new university happening next door to revive the glory of this once great global learning centre.

India is adorned with this rich heritage and a diverse cultural landscape, as the places mentioned above indicate. History buffs visit these places multiple times and are one of the reasons that these beauties are preserved for all eternity. Good Job! Us history nerds should be proud of ourselves! Having said that, if you haven’t visited these 8 historical places in India, this year is the best time to do so! Enjoy!

by Ritvik Agarwal

Content Writer at Things2do