10 Famous Indian Monuments Built By Women

Waquar Habib

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi

The Humayun's Tomb was the first garden tomb in India and was commisioned by Hamida Banu Begum, also known as Hajji Begum, to entomb her dead husband in 1569. It cost 1.5 million rupees and went on to inspire the Taj Mahal.

Humayun's Tomb | Shutterstock

Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat

The Rani Ki Vav is a stepwell in Patan, commissioned by Rani Udaymati in memory of her husband, King Bhima, in 1063. It is located on the banks of the Saraswati River.

Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat | Shutterstock

Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka

The Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal was built in 740 AD by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband's victory. It is India's oldest known temple built by a queen.

Virupaksha Temple | Shutterstock

Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula, Uttar Pradesh

The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula was built by Empress Nur Jehan, daughter of Jehangir's queen, entirely of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones in the 17th century.

Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula | Shutterstock

Taj-ul-Masjid, Madhya Pradesh

Taj-ul-Masjid, India's largest mosque, was built by Shah Jahan Begum in 1877. Construction stopped after she died in 1901 and resumed in 1985, completing the mosque.

Taj-ul-Masjid | Shutterstock

Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, West Bengal

Dakshineshwar Kali Temple was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni on the Hooghly River in Kolkata. She opposed sati, polygamy, and child marriage and also fought against the East India Company's fishing tax.

Dakshineshwar Kali Temple | Shutterstock

Lal Darwaza Masjid, Uttar Pradesh

The Lal Darwaza Masjid in Jaunpur was constructed by Queen Rajye Bibi in 1447. The mosque is dedicated to Sayyid Ali Dawood Kutubbuddin, a Muslim saint in the city. It is a smaller replica of the Atala Masjid.

Lal Darwaza Masjid | Wikimedia Commons

Maharani Shankar Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

In 1915, Mohini Bai Sisodhia built the Maharani Temple in Gulmarg. Also known as Mohinishwar Shivalaya, it was the royal temple of the Dogra kings and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Mohinishwar Temple | harshnachandel/instagram

Mirjan Fort, Karnataka

Mirjan Fort was built in the 16th century by Chennabhairav Devi, also known as the Pepper Queen. She ruled for 54 years as a subordinate of the Vijayanagar kings and used the fort to regulate the pepper trade.

Mirjan Fort | Shutterstock

Roshanara Bagh, Delhi

Roshanara Begum, daughter of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, built Roshanara Bagh in the 1650s. The Mughal-style garden is in Shakti Nagar, Delhi. She was the de facto co-ruler of the empire until 1667 and died in 1671 at 54. The garden became her burial place.

Roshanara Tomb at the Roshanara Garden | Wikimedia Commons

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