India has always been a coveted land by many—explorers, traders, and Kings. India has a rich history and has a treasure trove of architectural gems. It is filled with magnanimous forts, architectural marvels and each tells a tale of the time it was built in. All these forts have a different historical periods and diverse architectural styles and contribute to its popularity on the tourist map. The majority of India’s forts were built by clans of warrior Rajput rulers (before being invaded by the Mughals).
Here, let’s have a look at some famous forts one should definitely visit in India.
1) Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
It is only one of Jodhpur’s top attractions and is also one of the most impressive, well-maintained forts in India. It was built by the ruling dynasty of Rathore Rajputs. King Rao Jodha started constructing the fort in 1459, when he established his new capital in Jodhpur. The fort has restored it and turned it into an outstanding tourist destination comprising a series of palaces, museums, and restaurants.
Timings : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
2) Red Fort, Delhi
The Fort was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is one of the iconic monuments that have a history dating back to the 17th century. It is made from red sandstone and is also known as the Lal Qila. The Red Fort was the heart of the Mughal territory and the center of all political humdrum taking place in the empire. One of the most important highlights that attract visitors to this imposing fort is the light and sound show.
Timings : 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM, closed on Monday
3)Gwalior Fort,Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Gwalior fort in Madhya Pradesh was built in the 8th Century, although the era has not been confirmed yet. It is believed that the fort was built by Suraj Sen. In the later years, the Fort was captured by the Hunas, the Tomars, the Mughals and the Marathas. The Man Mandir Palace is a jewel on the crown of Gwalior Fort.
Timings : 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
4)Golkonda Fort, Hyderabad,Telangana
The 12th century Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad was built by the South Indian dynasty of Kakatiya as part of their West defense strategy for Kondapalli fort. It has produced some of the most exquisite diamonds like Koh-i-Noor, Daria-i-Noor, Hope Diamond, in the world. Tourists witness the light and sound show that take place daily and sheds light into the rich history of Golkonda Fort.
Timings : 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
5)Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer,Rajasthan
The city’s mirage-like yellow sandstone fort, the jaisalmer fort, is home to thousands of people who have been residing in it for generations. It is commonly called the Sonar Qila by the locals. Raj Mahal, Laxmikanth Temple and the Jain Temples are other attractions that are frequented by the tourists.
Timings : 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
6)Agra Fort, Agra,Uttar Pradesh
The Agra Fort is a walled city made of red sandstone and served as the royal residence of the Mughal emperors before the capital was shifted to Delhi. it was one of the first sites in India to get UNESCO World Heritage listing, in 1983.This fort has several impressive sites such as the Diwani-i-Aam, Moti Masjid and Machchhi Bhavan.
7)Chittor Fort , Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
Chittorgarh Fort is considered as the greatest fort in Rajasthan and is also one of the largest forts in India. The monument flaunts seven gates namely Hanuman, Jodla, Bhairon, Lakshman, Padan, Ganesh and the main entrance is the Ram Gate. Inside the fort, there are several monuments featuring Rajputana architectural styles, palaces, reservoir, and temples.
Timings : 9:45 AM – 6:30 PM
8)Kangra Fort, Himachal Pradesh
It is the largest fort in Himachal Pradesh and was built by the rulers of the Katoch Dynasty. There are a total of 21 such wells, each of which is 4 metres deep. The fort has over 360 temples, well-preserved ramparts, mighty gates, and other historic monuments. Kangra Fort is a witness to thousands of years of grandeur, invasion, war, wealth and evolution.
Timings : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
9)Udaipur Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan
At the heart of it, bordering Lake Pichola, is the City Palace Complex. The museum comprises both the Mardana Mahal and Zenana Mahal, which make up the City Palace. The architecture is the main highlight of the fort, along with the priceless private royal galleries, artwork, and photographs. The fort took 25 years to finish.
Timings: 9:30am-5:00pm
10)Amer Fort, Jaipur,Rajasthan
The historic Amer Fort was built by the Meenas and later captured by Raja Man Singh I. It is completely made from red sandstones and marbles with grand palaces and courtyards. Elephants downwards slowly transport tourists up the ridge in the main entrance courtyard and this makes for a wonderful entrance to the Amer Fort.
Timings : 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, closed on Sunday
