Historical places of India ! When it comes to historical places, we in India are indeed blessed, for there are so many options available. The rich history and culture of the country, means that there are monuments waiting to be explored in every nook and corner of India. Let us take a look at few of them in this first part.
Taj Mahal
Whenever we think of historic monuments of India, the name of this ‘monument of love’ immediately springs to mind. Built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, this marble architecture wonder, attracts over 6 million visitors from around the world every year. The construction of Taj Mahal started in 1632 and completed in, believe it or not 1648! The spectacular calligraphy work on the marbles is another highlight of this truly marvelous monument.
Chola Temples Complex
No mention of popular historical sites in India can be complete without the names of Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu, which have been designated a UNESCO Heritage Site. Completed between the 11 th and 12 th century CE, these spectacular monuments consisting of Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur, Brihadisvara Temple at GangaiKonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, continue to inspire awe among visitors. These majestic temples stand testimony to the architectural prowess during the Chola Empire.
Hawa Mahal
The very mention of the name Jaipur and your mind immediately conjures up images of the beautiful Hawa Mahal in the city. The city and the monument have become inseparable. The magnificent palace build with red and pink sandstone was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. The intricate lattice work in the windows of the building add to the charm of the structure. While there is a lot of talk about green buildings now, the designers at those times itself designed the structure for good air circulation to give respite from the scorching desert sun.
Ajanta & Ellora Caves
Ajanta is another UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The ancient rock cut caves date back to second century BCE and feature some of the finest examples of rock- cut sculptures and paintings. These caves with its intricate Buddhist religious art, were discovered accidently by British officer Captain John Smith in 1819.
Not far away, about 100 kms away are the Ellora Caves which once again feature spectacular caves with art inspired by Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. These rock cut marvels are visited by millions of tourists from around the world.
Mahabodhi Temple
Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya in Bihar, is the place where Gautama Buddha gained enlightenment. Buddhist pilgrims from around the world come to the Mahabodhi Temple which was built by Emperor Ashoka . The highlight of the temple architecture are the two large towers known as ‘Shikharas’. The place is said to be an important pilgrimage site right from the time of the Mauryan Empire.
At the school, our teachers use a variety of innovative activities, including classroom sessions, quizzes, painting competitions, debates, role plays, etc to give an insight to students about the rich historical legacy of India, as well as give them insights on world history. This kind of wholesome learning opportunities has made us a favorite with parents looking for a student-centric CBSE school in Coimbatore.