OT Staff
More than 110 million tourists visited Madhya Pradesh in 2023. One of its major attractions is its historical heritage which harkens back to bygone eras and still has the power to enthral today. Here are 10 of the best places to see for history nerds.
This Buddhist complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its foremost attraction is the Great Stupa, one of the oldest stone structures in India. It was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE.
Also known as the Holkar Palace, the 18th century structure was the residence of the Holkar rulers who performed royal ceremonies and cultural programs within its bounds. The façade is topped with ornate balconies and jharokhas.
This World Heritage Site has 243 natural rock shelters displaying paintings that date back to approximately 30,000 years ago. They have a strong resemblance to the ones discovered in Kakadu National Park in Australia and the Lascaux cave paintings of France.
Dating back to the 6th century, Gwalior Fort’s towering walls reach an impressive height of 10m, evoking a sense of grandeur and strength. The fort encompasses several temples and significant monuments like the Gujari Mahal, the Man Mandir Palace and Teli ka Mandir, among others.
Constructed between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela Dynasty, this World Heritage Site used to consist of 85 temples, now reduced to only 25 Jain and Hindu temples. Its breathtaking Nagara-style architecture and intricate detailing capture the essence of ancient craftsmanship.
Literally translated as the “Crown of Mosques”, the Taj-Ul-Masajid draws inspiration from the majestic Jama Masjid of Delhi. It is one of India's largest mosques with a capacity to accommodate 175,000 worshippers. It was crafted using a blend of white marble and red sandstone.
This palace is a token of friendship as it was constructed under the reign of the 17th century Bundela Rajput ruler Bir Singh Deo to honour the visit of his friend Jahangir, the Mughal emperor. The palace is known for its latticework set around a large courtyard.
A witness to the love story of Rani Roopmati and Sultan Baz Bahadur, the Rani Roopmati Pavilion is a spectacular expression of Afghan architecture in sandstone. During the monsoon season, the palace offers an enchanting view of Mandu's scenic landscape.
This 15th century mosque is an architectural delight with its three majestic domes. Intricate grills were installed to facilitate optimal light and proper ventilation. The mosque's acoustics were engineered to ensure the transmission of voices from one corner to another.
This group of 20 caves were carved out of a sandstone hill sometime in the 4th to 5th century. The caves are dedicated to Hindu gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Durga. They feature one of the earliest representations of the Hindu god Vishnu in his boar incarnation, Varaha.