Top 10 Forts in India : The Living Legends
“I am the mirror… Standing like a meditative Yogi, I am making you witness the royalty, valor, love, struggle and grandness of the ancient and medieval era of India…”.
India is dotted with numerous forts which can be aptly referred to as the living legends. Each of these forts are replete with saga of romance, chivalry, valor and inevitable deceit and intrigues of court politics.
Some of the forts are brilliant specimen of architecture designed and constructed by the humans. In the forts built during the medieval period, the influence of various art forms from around the world can be well witnessed.
If you have an inclination towards these grand structures, you can go through our list below where we have meticulously chosen top 10 forts in India from a long list:
Red Fort, Delhi
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| Red Fort in Delhi |
A red sandstone structure which presents India before the world, Red Fort in Delhi is rightly been called the pride of the city and of India too.
Inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this magnificent red citadel is but just a ghost of its former glory days. Red Fort in Delhi was built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the 17th century AD.
It took around 10 years to complete and is originally referred to as ‘Quila-e-Mubarak’ as royal family used to live there. Inside the fort, there are public and private halls, mosques, gardens and alongside this runs the river Yamuna.
Amber Fort, Jaipur
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| Amber Fort in Jaipur |
A beautiful gemstone in the royal crown of Rajasthan, Jaipur charms the guests with its fleet of palaces and forts. One of the most visited and beguiling of Jaipur forts is the Amber Fort, situated in a serene backdrop of the Aravali Hill.
When you reach the fort, you will get a warm welcome by the silent wavelets of the Maota Lake. The blend of Hindu, Rajput and Mughal architectural style adorn the fort and make the guests let them loose to its grandeur of presentation.
The intricate marble, glass, metal and wood carvings can be well witnessed in this beautiful fort built by Raja Man Singh I.
Agra Fort, Agra
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| Red Fort In Agra, Uttar Pradesh |
Though the city of Agra is most famous for its iconic Taj Mahal, but there are several other architectural wonders that still make it one of the best destination for a cultural tour to India.
The red giant structure of Agra fort speaks volumes about the Mughal dynasty, their rise and fall in the country of India. While you enter inside this fort, a beautifully manicured lawn gives you a green carpet welcome.
There are different palaces inside this red citadel most of which were built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. This chivalric king also had spent his last years in a high towering palace of Red Fort from where Taj Mahal can be seen clearly.
Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan
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| Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan |
Each corner of the state of Rajasthan speaks of the royal lifestyle of the Rajput rulers and Jaisalmer is certainly not an exception to that.
In this city of Rajasthan which seems to be an embodiment of the Arabian Night fables, the Jaisalmer Fort is standing in a cliff top that becomes visible from a distance.
This yellow sandstone fort glitters like a golden crown when the sun rays hits its outer wall. Simplicity in grandness is seen in its décor and architecture and it is also crowned as one of the largest forts in the world.
Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad
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| Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad |
Though the sand of time has left its imprints behind the Daulatabad Fort, it is still can be called one of the best documents containing the history of the city.
The fort overlooks the green views of the vegetation around and is certainly a photographer’s paradise. With its vintage look, it never ceases to amaze the visitors.
It’s been ruled by many dynasties and their remains can be still seen in this almost forgotten fort of Aurangabad.
Golkonda Fort, Hyderabad
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| Golkonda Fort, Hyderabad |
Situated just 11 kilometers away from the city of Hyderabad, Golkonda Fort is not that famous among the tourists as the Red Fort in Delhi or the Agra fort. But still, it is one of the best places to visit which will mounts up to your expectations while you are in a cultural tour to India.
It was originally built by Kakatiya Dynasty which was later ruled by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah Wali. During Qutub Shah’s reign, the fort went through a number of reconstructions. Away from the hustle-bustle of city life, this fort is standing silently in a cliff top and singing the saga of its royal days.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
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| Junagarh Fort, Bikaner |
It is a well preserved forts situated at the center of the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan. It is a massive structure with a fleet of art galleries, corridors and courtyards which beautifully display the history, culture and traditions of the city.
A scattering of color can be well witnessed in the halls and rooms of this fortress. Built in the year 1589 AD, this fort was being rules by as many as 20 rulers of Bikaner till 1920 AD.
Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh
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| Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh |
It is another well preserved and maintained fort in India which has colorful artworks inscribed in its inner and outer walls and pillars. It is so massive and alluring, that India Postal Service has issued a postal stamp with the photo of this fort.
The Mughal Emperor Babur once described is as “the pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind”. From the fort, you can also savor the panoramic view of the old Gwalior. Gwalior Fort also occupies a unique place in the human civilization as the place which has the first ever recorded the use of zero.
Jhansi Fort, Jhansi
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| Jhansi Fort, Jhansi |
Built by Bir Singh Ju Deo, the king of Orcha in the year 1613, this Indian fort is situated in a rocky hill called Bangra in Jhansi.
The fort has ten gates including the Khandero Gate, Datia Darwaza, Unnao Gate, Jharna Gate, Laxmi Gate, Sagar Gate, Orcha Gate, Sainyar Gate, and Chand Gate.
The fort still speaks about the life of the courageous queen of Jhansi, Rani Laxmi Bai.
Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh
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| Chittorgarh Fort in Chittorgarh |
If Chittorgarh is the pride of Rajasthan, then Chittorgarh Fort must be its icon. Stretches in a huge area, the fort bears witness to a time when royal people preferred to die before submitting themselves to the enemies.
The folklore about the gallantry of Rani Padmini can be still heard when you visit this fort. There are several palaces, temples and public and private halls inside the fort which grab the attention of millions of travelers every year.
Interested in forts and palaces tours, check out these packages at Indianholiday.com
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Contributed by Nikhil Chandra
