16 monuments in India

Sixteen Indian monuments are important landmarks in the History of India. They are:

1)      Ajanta, the Buddhist site in Maharashtra near Aurangabad, has the earliest and the best of Indian paintings. It is also best of rock – cut architecture and sculpture. Together the 30 caves here cover a period from the 1^st Century B.C. to the 6^th Century A.D.

2)      Ellora in Maharashtra near Aurangabad is an example of the healthy competition among Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths, through rock – cut architecture, flourishing side by side. Thirty – four caves were carved out from 7^th to 10^th Centuries A.D. The great monolithic (carved out of a single rock) is an astonishing feat beyond belief.

3)      Elephanta in Maharashtra (near Mumbai) is famous for its great cave of the 6^th Century A.D. it has 9 sculptural panels depicting various aspects of Shiva’s life.

4)      Patadkal in Karnataka was the capital Chalukyas since the - 7^th Century A.D. It has 10 temples representing the early experiments in building temples. It provided the model for the temple style of Andhra – Karnataka states.

5)      In Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) near Chennai, the temple style of Tamil Nadu took shape. The place has 9 monolithic shrines of various designs in addition to caves, sculptures, and structural temples.

6)      Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, built by rajaraja chola in the 11^th Century A.D. marks the highest point of temple style Tamil Nadu. The imposing tower of the temple which is built in the purest Dravidian style rises to a height of 60 meters.

7)      Hampi in Karnataka speaks of the grandness of Vijaynagar Empire (1336 – 1565). The prosperous city covered an area of 26 sq.km. Here ruins of palaces, temples, stables, etc., could be seen.

8)      Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh is a Buddhist site with 51 varied monuments. It was an active centre from the 3^rd Century A.D. The Great Stupa with its four beautifully carved gateways is famous.

9)      Khajuraho in MP represents an excellent group of northern temples of the same kind. They were built by Chandela kings in the 12^th Centuries A.D. The place has over 25 temples, the best one among them, is Kandariya Mahadev.

10)  Konark, the place which has the Sun Temple is in Orissa. It was built in 1250 A.D. The lofty tower of the temple was the highest ever attempted by any temple (68m. high). Today, only one mandapa (hall) survives.

11)  Qutb-minar at Mehrauli in Delhi symbolizing the victory of Mohammadan religion was built in the 13^th and 14^th Centuries A.D. the 72.5 meters high tower is a unique structure. This tower of sandstone as one of the most perfect in the world.

12)  Humayun’s Tomb at Delhi built in 1565 is an excellent example of a garden tomb. It is an important stage in the evolution of Indo – Islamic architecture that was perfected in the Taj Mahal at Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

13)  Agra Fort, the Red Fort at Agra built in 1574 by Mughal emperor Akbar is the first fort in India to which standards of architectural beauty were applied.

14)  Fathekpur Sikhri, the new capital of Akbar, was completed by 1586. The well planned township consists of 9 gateways and 60 buildings. It is an architectural expression of the emperor’s policy of Hindu – Muslim harmony.

15)  Taj Mahal (1631 – 47) at Agra in Uttar Pradesh is the supreme contribution of Indo Islamic architecture.

16)  Churches in Goa that belong to the 17^th Century A.D. are the earliest ones in India. They have preserved the baroque style of rich carvings and painted sculptures creating a divine atmosphere.

These 16 monuments are included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Monuments