India is known as the land of a thousand colors. Nothing emphasizes this kaleidoscope, perhaps more than Indian architecture. With a history dating back thousands of years from ancient civilizations to the modern era, India has a rich heritage.
The temples, castles, and forts of India showcase the rich history, culture, and religion of this great and historical nation. There are different types of architectural styles spread from North to South. These not only stand as a testament to the creative ingenuity of the Indus Valley civilization but also to its architectural and engineering prowess.
In this article, we’ll explore the most iconic castles found in India and their fascinating timelines. These speak whispering tales of dynasties, battles, and enduring legacies. But Before that, let’s learn a bit more about why India has such an excellent diversity of architecture.
Architecture on the Indian Subcontinent
Nothing exemplifies India’s history and cultural diversities or significance more than its architecture. This goes back thousands of years covering the entire Indus Valley area of modern-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
This is a great place to digress. India’s architecture has been studied extensively by architects and anthropologists. Students learning about Indian history and architecture may be tasked with writing an essay or research paper on these subjects. With this article as your first blueprint, you can hire services to do my assignment that will help you achieve a superb paper faster.
Back to the article. The earliest architecture in India was composed of wood and brick. Most of these buildings haven’t survived the elements over the millennia that have passed. Most of these early structures didn’t survive the elements, compounded by the harsh climates in parts of India. Few of these structures remain. However, Harappan excavations dated 2600-4400 BCE have uncovered grid layouts of a city made of fired bricks.
Archeologists have also uncovered remains of various stone palaces dated 1025 – 320 BCE, such as in Kausambi. In some cases, these were dressed stones set in fine lime and coated with thick layers of plaster. Thus, the ingenuity of Indian engineering and construction can be seen as early as the Mauryan period.
From the 5th century BCE, walled and moated cities started to develop, with large gates and storied buildings and fortresses. These were distinguished by their arched windows and doors. This period coincided with the Ashokas and afterward, the Mauryan period also saw the rise of a large number of temples. Thus, stone architecture started gaining a foothold, and Indian buildings surpassed some of the finest workmanship.
Indian architecture took flight from the 4th to 11th centuries CE. Temples and fortresses, both rock-cut and stone-hewn, emerged across north and south India. Most of these were made of granite and marble. Prime examples include the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the Teli Ka Mandir, and the Jagannath Temple at Puri. The Jagannath temple is one of the four spiritual centers of Hinduism.
10 Fascinating Indian Castles, Plus Their Timelines
India is home to a galaxy of beautiful architecture, the breadth and beauty of these structures capturing the rich history of the Indus. Let’s explore a timeline of 10 fascinating castles in India.
Kangra Fort (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh) – 4th-18th AD
Kangra Fort is the largest and one of the most ancient forts in the Himalayas. The first is located in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state, India. The Rajput Dynasty of the Katoch Dynasty built this fort. While the Fort lies in ruin in some parts, the architecture and layout are still clearly visible.
The Kangra Fort is historically significant as a center of several battles between the Rajas and the Mughals. The Fort successfully resisted the 1615 siege of Akbar the Great, the first of the Mughals. The fort was then successfully subdued by Akbar’s son Jahangir, forcing the submission of the greatest of all the Rajas.
Amber Fort (Jaipur, Rajasthan) – 1592 AD
The Amber Fort, also referred to as Amer Fort, represents the best example of Rajput architecture with speckles of Mughal style. Amer Fort was originally built by Raja Man Singh and was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families. The first is also connected to Jaigarh Fort using passageways.
The entire layout is divided into six sections, each with its own courtyard. The Diwan-i-Aam or the Hall of Public Audience is where emperors of old used to hold court. The Sheesh Mahal or Mirror Palace is a fascinating place where countless tiny mirrors dance with the sunlight. In the Sukh Mahal or Hall of Pleasure, you’ll see intricate tile work.
And just so that the experience is etched in memory, you can take an elephant ride from the base of the hill to the gate of the fort.
Golconda Fort (Hyderabad, Telangana) – 12th-16th AD
Golconda, built as a defensive fort in the 10th century, is one of the region’s best-preserved monuments. The fort was originally a mud fort but was later taken over by the Bahamani and Qutb Shahi kings who made improvements with granite.
While much of Golconda lies in ruins, the fort still boasts mounted cannons, drawbridges, well-preserved halls, and stables. You’ll also come across the 87-metre-high Bala Hisar tower, and the Taramati Baradari, a pavilion with stunning views. At night, there’s a sound and light show that captures the remarkable history of Golconda.
Agra Fort (Agra, Uttar Pradesh) – 1565 AD
Agra Fort is one of the most famous monuments in India, built by the Akbar the Great, the first of the Mughals. The giant structure, made mostly of red sandstone, served as a palace, royal court, and military base. The structures within the fort were later added by subsequent Mughal emperors.
In the vicinity of Agra Fort is the gleaming Pearl Mosque, while 2.5km from the fort lies the more famous Taj Mahal. The mighty towers of Agra are a true testament to Mughal architecture and their defensive prowess. You will come across Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audience. There are also elegant mosques like the Nagina Masjid and Mina Masjid, and other palaces such as Jahani Mahal within the Fort complex.
Jaigarh Fort (Jaipur, Rajasthan) – 1726 AD
The Jaigarh Fort was built as an armory for the Agra Fort, with a similar red sandstone style of the Rajput. It was constructed by King Jai Sing II.
The fort has the world’s largest cannon on wheels called the Jaivana. The entire length of the wall around the fort is nearly 3km, with even longer passageways and tunnels. The windows of the fort are made of lattice, contributing to the unique appearance of the port.
Gwalior Castle (Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh) – 8th Century
The Gwalio Fort is a magnificent hilltop fort built over 1000 years ago that is one of the most prominent forts in India. Located on a prominent sandstone hilltop, the Fort is a combination of Mughal, Rajput, and Hindu styles.
The fort consists of two main palaces, “Man Mandir” and “Gujari Mahal”. The smaller Man Singh Palace is prominent for its exquisite blue-tiled mosaic work.
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, 1743
The Taj Lake Palace is one of the most spectacular places in India and one of the top tourist destinations in Rajasthan. The palace was built for Maharana Jagat Sing II as a secluded retreat. The palace is surrounded by Lake Pichola, with one needing a boat to get there.
As the palace gradually fell into a state of disrepair, it was taken over by the Taj Hotels Group turning it into a luxury hotel. The well-placed location on Lake Pichola has been named one of the most romantic locations in the world.
Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur, Rajasthan) – 1459 AD
The Mehrangarh Fort is one of the mightiest forts in India, covering nearly 1200 acres. It was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha of the Rajput dynasty. The tower sits on a range of sandstone hills sitting nearly 122 meters above the surrounding terrain of the Thar Desert.
The site is immensely fortified and encloses several beautiful palaces such as the Moti Mahal and Sheesh Mahal. The last palace to be built was the Takhat Vilas, constructed by the Maharaja Takhat Singh. The fort also boasts a museum and a zipline adventure that tourists can enjoy.
Umaid Bhawan Palace (Jodhpur, Rajasthan) – 1924-1943 AD
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the most beautiful and opulent palace complexes in India, and also one of the last to be built in the 20th century. It was commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh of the Jodhpur Royal family. It was designed by the famous architect Henry Lancaster and is now partly managed by the Taj Hotels.
Jhansi Fort (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh) – 17th-18th AD
The Jhansi Fort or Jhansi Ja Kila is a fortress located on a hilltop called Jangira. The Chandela Kingsin Balwant Nagar used the fort as his stronghold. However, the fort was constructed by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo.
Sites within the fort include the Durgaganj (Market Place), the fort museum showcasing artifacts from the era, and the queen’s samadhi or memorial.
Conclusion
These are just some of the thousands of magnificent palaces and castle forts to be found all over India. These complexes showcase the excellence of Indian culture, architecture and engineering. Each castle fort has a unique tale and rich history behind it, from love to war and resilience. Hopefully, these beautiful castles motivate you to make India part of your travel bucket list.
