Most of the forts in India are forts, fortified palaces, or forts, but when the British government in India listed defenses in the 17th-nineteenth century, they used the term fort which became commonplace throughout India. When I think of India, I think of forts and palaces. After all, they are a significant part of the country’s extensive history, and they have been featured in countless pictures and documentaries.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the wonders of this architecture are on the must-see list for tourists visiting India. The pink city of Jaipur in particular has a large number of them. However, you will find them scattered in other kingdoms as remnants of the Mughal era.
1. City Palace Jaipur
The city palace situated in the heart of the pink city, Jaipur. The city palace was a palace where the maharaja lived. This palace is also known as Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal. The palace located in the north side if Jaipur. The palace was built between 1729 and 1732 AD by Sawai Jai Singh.
Sawai Jai Singh ruled in the Amer and built the outer wall of the palace. This will take this palace up to 20th century. The architectural styles are largely based on a fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European styles. This is the most beautiful and attractive palace in the Jaipur
2. Mehrangarh fort, Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan is a sign of beauty and royalty. It is counted between the largest and most beautiful fort if India. It is one of which is very attractive for travelers and tourists. This fort has been built by titans and colored by the morning sun. the fort is built on a mountain which has also called the mountain of birds. There are many legends surrounding the construction of this fort.
The story of this fort says that a man called Mahran was thrown alive from the hilltop. There are many types of stories about this fort. Winter is the most better season to visit this fort like in October to February because this time the weather is pleasant. Mehrangarh fort is also the house of the most beautiful festivals celebrated in Jodhpur.
3. Maharaja palace Mysore
Maharaja palace is situated in the heart of the city in Mysore. This palace is also known as Amba Vilas Palace. It is the residence of the maharajas of the Mysore state. Maharaja Palace is one of the most visited palaces in India. It is the largest palace if India. The original palace built by wood but at 1897 it was burnt down during the wedding of jayalakshammanni.
She was the eldest daughter if chamaraja. The current palace made by indo style including together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput etc architectures. This palace has a three-storied stone structure. This palace is a priceless national treasure. This is proud of our kingdom
4. Red Fort Delhi
Red Fort is located in old Delhi. It is also known as the Lal Quila. It was built by one of the most famous Mughal emperors. It was built by Shah Jahan. Built on the bask of Yamuna river. This fort palace was designed by an architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori. The workers took 8 years and 10 months to build this fort.
This is the most popular fort in India. It is made by re stone so it looks red. It was royal residence of Mughal emperors from 1648 to 1857. The red fort takes his name from red sand stonewalls. The red fort is closed on Monday. There is no season for a visit this fort travelers visit this for any time any season.
5. Gwalior fort Madhya Pradesh
Gwalior fort situated on the isolated rock overlook from the Gwalior town and contain a number of buildings. This is also one of the biggest forts in India. The fort was built by raja man Singh Tomar in the 15th century. The Gwalior fort went from one ruler to another like from tomer it passed to the Mughals, Marathas and the British.
The Teli-ka-Mandir is the most popular temple all of them of the Gwalior fort. This temple is built in Dravidian style. This fort is a most popular place of Gwalior Madhya Pradesh.
6. Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Hawa Mahal is located in the heart of Jaipur. Hawa Mahal is made of red and pink sandstone lined with white color to make it beautiful. Hawa Mahal is a five-story building. This place has curved. The most unique thing about this place is the fact that all time a smooth light breeze passed through it.
That why this place got it to name Hawa means wind which means it is the place of wind. The Hawa Mahal is located on the main road near Badi chaupar and city. The Hawa Mahal can be visited any time of the day.
7. Agra fort Agra
Agra fort was built in the year 1573 under the Akbar which was one of the mostest Mughal kings. It took 4000 workers for this fort and after 8 years of hard work, the fort was completely built. Akbar built this fort to make it the main residence of the Mughals.
The fort houses numerous attractive structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid. The fort is separated from its sister monument taj mahal by just 2.5 kilometers. Agra fort is also known for his rich history. This fort has been ruled by many emperors.
8. Jaisalmer fort Rajasthan
Jaisalmer fort also knows as sonar quila. It is one of the largest forts in the world situated in Jaisalmer city in Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is one of the most attractive forts for travelers and tourists. This fort is popular as the golden temple by the local people. The fort is situated proudly in the middle of golden sand of the desert.
This fort was built by Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD. Thar desert on trikuta hill has been seen of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a lion color during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this only reason, it is also known as the sonar quilt or Golden Fort.
9. Amber fort Rajasthan
Amber palace the fort is located on a hill in Amer Rajasthan after 11 km from the Jaipur city. The amber fort is a very attractive place for travelers and tourists. This fort is built by raja man Singh. The fort presents a movement of Hindu and Muslim architecture. This fort is built by using red sandstone and white marble.
There are many types of attractive complex situated in the fort. This palace complex was used as the main residence of the Rajput maharajas for a long period of time. Raja Alan Singh, who once ruled the Chanda clan and it was probably the first king to ever set foot on Amer
10. Padmini palace Rajasthan
Right at the heart of the Chittorgarh fort that the Rajputs cleverly built rani Padmini palace to take advantage of naturally rock terrain to stand. The fort itself stands to top a 180 meter tall hill, making using of a natural setting. The Chittorgarh fort is believed to have been originally built in the 7th century. Rani Padmini palace makes for a visual treat. It is built only for special parties. Padmini Palace is located at the southern part of Chittorgarh Fort. It is a 3 storied white building that overlooks a lotus pool.
11. Jhansi Fort, Jhansi
Rani Jhansi Ka Quila or Jhansi Fort is one of the oldest forts in India. It is over 400 years old and features an architectural mesh of Bundela and Maratha style. After many poor reigns, it was ruled by King Gangadhar Rao and Queen Lakshmi Bai.
12. Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan
Spread over an area of 700 acres, and has 22 reservoirs inside, Chittorgarh Fort is located on a hill 180 meters high. The fort was in its full glory under famous rulers like Bahadur Shah and Maharana Udai Singh.
13. Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur
One of the best forts in India, Kumbhalgarh Fort is famous for its 36 km long fort wall. Badal Mahal – A palace inside the fort presents a beautiful view of the birthplace and surroundings of the famous warrior Maharana Pratap.
14. Kangra Fort, Himachal Pradesh
Situated on a beautiful hill, Kangra fort has seven huge gates with a cobbled and narrow path leading to the fort. From the inside, you can see the currents of the Banganga and Manji rivers flowing through the green hills. Under Akbar’s siege in 1515, Kangra was able to withstand the fort attack, but in 12020 his son took control of the fort. And so, over time, it came under the rule of many kings, including the British rulers, until it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1905.
15. Amer Fort, Rajasthan
One of the most beautifully built forts in India, Mango Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of Hill Fort in Rajasthan. Built-in 1592, it overlooks Moata Lake and showcases the precision and brilliance of Rajasthani architecture, so it tops the list of tourist destinations in Jaipur.
16. Ranthambore Fort, Prempura
Ranthambore Fort is located in the former hunting ground of the rulers of Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park. Interestingly, multiple theories describe the history of the fort – one theory says it was built by the Chauhan rulers in 944 AD, another says it was built in 1110 AD, while the government says it was built in the 10th century.
17. Daulatabad Fort, Maharashtra
Daulatabad Fort Aurang has located just 16 km from the city of Aurangabad and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Maharashtra. The fort stands on a conical hill and is mainly known as the capital of the Tughlaq dynasty. As you explore the fort, you will see many variable secret paths that helped evade the invaders.
18. Rajmachi Fort, Khandala
Counted among the most favorite holidays from Mumbai and Pune, Rajmachi Fort is a natural beauty located in the Sahyadri Range of the Western Ghats. After being ruled by Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb, and then Kanhoji Angre, it was finally acquired by the British in 1818.
19. Chitradurga Fort, Karnataka
An hour’s drive from Bangalore, Chitradurga Fort is proud of its ancient surroundings and legendary past. The wonderful name of the 17th century comes from the Kannada word-painting Durga, which means ‘beautiful. It is said that there was never a shortage of water, thanks to the many interconnected water tanks. In addition to forts and mosques, there are 18 temples in Chitradurga fort.
20. Madan Mahal Fort, Jabalpur
The ruins of the Madanmahal fort are not very artistic or delicate, but the pain is certainly intriguing. For those who love to lose themselves in dilapidated stone walls, this may be the best fort in India. This eleventh-century fort tells the story of Queen Durgavati, who was considered an Indian martyr and died fighting the Mughals.
21. Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur
Nestled beautifully on top of the hills of Jaipur, Jaigarh Fort offers memories and some amazing green views to capture on camera. Designed by a famous architect named Vidyadhar, this fort has also been called the ‘Fortress of Victory’. The deeply rooted history and extraordinary structure of this fort never fail to amaze anyone. At present, the fort is the abode of a huge cannon on wheels, also known as ‘Jayavana’, and presents a view of the entire city of Jaipur living in the lap of green mother nature. Sawai Joy Singh II recaptured the fort in 1726.
22. Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
Nahargarh Fort is probably an invaluable asset to the pink city of Rajasthan. Rich in history and architecture, this fort is one of the top forts in India which was once used as a strong defense of the city together with two strong neighboring forts. The intricate stone carvings and brilliant carvings that anyone can observe here are something that no one can miss. Sitting on the top of a hill, this fort was once also for royal women. The biological park of this fort is just a cherry on top!
23. Raigad Fort, Raigad
One of the best forts in India, Raigarh Fort was inaugurated by Chhatrapati Shivaji, who made it his capital in the early days of his reign. The fort is located at an altitude of 2020 m above sea level and the view of the Sahyadri Range is enchanting. Also, it is one of the popular trekking destinations near Mumbai and Pune.
24. Golconda Fort, Telangana
Golconda Fort is one of the largest forts in India, and the Golconda Fort Complex is nothing short of an archeological wonder. In addition to the perfect architecture, a lot of ingenuity is involved with the construction because the handcuffs placed under the dome can be heard one kilometer away in the ‘Bala Hisar’ mandapa.
25. Panhala Fort, Kolhapur
Famous for being the largest fort in the entire Deccan region, Panhala fort is one of the best places to visit in Kolhapur. Displaying a panoramic view of the green landscape, this fort adorns the fort about kilometers long which amazes one. The huge gates with double walls display the architectural style of the centuries-old era and serve as a magnet for all the architectural lovers there. From the Marathas to the Mughals, one can see the forms of different dynasties ruling over this fort.
26. Murud Janjira Fort, Raigad
Once considered one of India’s most powerful sea forts, Murud Janjira lies in ruins, but its whimsy does not fail to impress. The two towers of the fort are still standing as they are now. Many Indian and European cannons are stationed at the base, deployed to fight enemies. To this day, they rust and are mainly used to pose for photos.
27. Sindhudurg Fort, Maharashtra
Sindhudurg Fort is a 17th-century fort located on an island in the Arabian Sea and is the only temple in the world dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj who built this fort. Visit here to be mesmerized by the huge walls, km ramparts, and the beautiful view of the sea.
28. Fort Aguada, Goa
Aguada, meaning water, got its name from a freshwater fountain in the fort, which was the source of water for stopping ships. The 17th-century Portuguese fort was built to ensure the safety of the Dutch and Marathas.
29. Chapora Fort, Bardez
Chapora fort is named after the river Chapora and is one of the historically important forts in Goa. The current design we see is a 1717 construction that replaced the old designs.
30. Bekal Fort, Kerala
One of the largest forts in India, Bekal Fort is a 30,000-year-old sea fort. This keyhole-shaped structure was built by Shivappa Nayaka in 1650 for defensive purposes. Today, Bekal Castle is a favorite shooting spot for filmmakers, and The Observation Center presents a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area, a favorite of tourists. Of all the famous forts in India, Bekal fort provides a clear glimpse into the history of India and the overall royal experience.
31. Visapur Fort, Khandala
Another hill fort in the middle of the lush greenery of Khandala, Visapur fort is an ideal place for those who want to escape from the life of Mumbai or Pune city. Given some nice landscapes under the open sky, this castle is also a popular destination among trekkers. The fog all around, the sound of a fresh waterfall can be heard, and the lush greenery combined to provide the most impeccable experience here. It was a fort built under Balaji Bishwanath, the first Peshwa of the then Maratha Empire.
Conclusion
We all know that India has centuries of ancient history, it is a treasure trove of architectural gems. Huge forts witnessed great kings and fierce battles that formed the heart and soul of ancient India. Not surprisingly, these forts tell the story of our country’s glorious past and contribute to its popularity on tourist maps. These monuments are decorated with colorful frescoes and fake work that will instantly make you fall with them.