Top 10 Amazing Man Made Structures in India

India is undoubtedly a place of magnificence and elegance filled with a number of beautiful and splendid monuments. The royalty of our land has been creating monuments ever since they existed. Some were made just to add beauty while some signified power and expansion of ancient dynasties. These ancient monuments give us a glance of the royal lifestyle, a peek into our ancient culture and a chance to learn and be inquisitive about our sacred heritage. These are not just some manmade structures; these are the remains of our rich culture and past. A time that no longer exists yet entices us with its sheer beauty and splendor that co-existed in a time of royalty. The ancient caves, the forts and palaces all scream how rich the culture and heritage of India is which is why tourists keep swarming in.

Here is a list of top 10 manmade structures of India:

10. Hampi, Karnataka

It is not just a structure but an entire village that entices people even in its ruined state. Derived from the word ‘Pampa’, it was formed in one of the core areas of the Vijayanagra empire from 1336 to 1565 and lies over banks of Tungabhadra river (earlier known as Pampa). Now it contains the remains of the empire and a Virupaksha temple as well as many other old monuments. Its ruins are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh the Khajuraho group of temples is famous for the erotic sculptures of Chandale kings. The group of monuments also has the largest number of medieval Hindu and Jain temples made up of sandstone. Though the local tradition enlists 85 temples but only 25 are still remaining in the process of preservation. The group of monuments has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered as one of the seven wonders of India.

8. Lake Palace, Udaipur

The palace looks out of a fantasy filled fairy tale with a majestic view of Pichola Lake and a splendid palace in the middle of Jag Niwas Island.  Built by Maharaja Jagat Singh in 1743, it was supposed to be a summer palace and now it serves as a five star palace hotel in the heart of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The intricate craftsmanship and ethnic and traditional themes present a picture that is beyond any comparison. The rippling and tranquil waters of the lake add elegance and serenity to the palace.

7. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

The splendid fort lies 400 feet above the skyline of Jodhpur, Rajasthan and is known to be the largest fort in India. Its construction began in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha and continued up to 17 generations of the Rathore Rajput clan. Enclosed by imposing thick walls, it has several palaces, temples, courtyards, chambers, delicately carved terraces and balconies. The palace has seven gates, out of which two are Jayapol and Fattehpol both meaning victory and these gates have palm imprints which attract many visitors. The palace also has a museum collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, cradles, manuscripts and textiles. In 2007, it was named as The Best Fortress in Asia by Time magazine.

6. Red Fort, Delhi

Built in 17^th century as the palace fort of Shahajanabad, the fort is also known as ‘Laal Qila’ due to its red sandstone walls. It was built by the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan when he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi and represents the zenith of Mughal creativity. The fort lies along the Yamuna river and was declared as UNESCO world heritage site in 2007.  Its main structures include Diwan-i-aam (Hall of public audience), Diwan-i-khas (hall of private audience), Nahr-i-Behisht (private apartments) and Zenana (women’s quarters). Later an additional structure was added known as ‘Moti Masjid” or the pearl mosque to serve as a private altar for Aurangzeb.

5. Golden Temple, Amritsar

Harminder sahib Gurdwara is popularly known as the golden temple and is located in the heart of Amritsar, Punjab. Built in 1604 by Guru Arjan Dev, the Adi Granth or the Holy Scripture is installed in this Gurdwara and it earns its name from the gold dome it hosts which was gifted by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Surrounded by a lake, the sublime and tranquil Gurdwara is an example of Hindu-Muslim architecture. The lake is fed by an underground spring and people bathe here with a belief of cleansing their souls. The four entry doors of the structure signify it openness and acceptance to all religions.

4. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

One of the prominent attraction of the pink city-‘The palace of winds’ or Hawa Mahal is located in Jaipur, Rajasthan and built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 in the form of crown of Hindu god, Krishna. Built with red and pink sandstone it is considered to be an embodiment of the Rajputana architecture, the main attraction of the palace is its pyramid form structure with 953 windows or ’Jharokhas’ which further have intricate designs. It was mainly designed for the royal women to have a view of outside world as they never appeared in public. The palace looks breathtaking in the early morning golden sunlight.

3. Ellora caves, Maharashtra

The Ellora caves locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ are located at a distance of 30 km from Aurangabad, Maharashtra and were built by Rashtrakuta dynasty. Ellora is a world heritage site because of its monumental caves. These 34 caves are the epitome of Indian rock cut structure and are excavated out of vertical face of the Charandrandri hills. The Buddhist, Jain, Hindu rock cut temples and Viharas and Mathas were built between 5^th and 10^th century and their close proximity signifies the religious harmony in ancient times. The best time to visit is preferably monsoon as each stream is full of water and mother nature is in full bloom.

2. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

The 30 rock cut Buddhist caves date from 2^nd century BC and are located 105 km from Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The paintings and sculptures contained within the walls of these caves have been classified by the ASI as the finest surviving form of art in India. The site was rediscovered by a British official in 1819 and the caves are basically Buddhist monasteries showing heavy religious influence and practices centered around Buddha. The wall paintings tell stories from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. The elaborate architectural carving is executed on a base of mud-plaster in the tempera technique.

1. Taj Mahal, Agra

Located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh this magnificent white mausoleum has enthralled visitors since time immemorial. The symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved and beautiful wife Mumtaz. Recognized as the jewel of Mughal art in India its construction ended in 1648 and then the buildings and garden in vicinity took 5 years more for their completion. Besides being a world heritage site, it is also the first wonder of world. The completely white symmetrical marble structure has further details and inscriptions and is considered to be the most beautiful building on earth.

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