10 Historical Monuments of Rajasthan to Relive the Regal Era

From colourful and vibrant cities to remote deserts and a rustic way of life, Rajasthan, known as the ‘Land of Kings’, has an abundance of heritage and offers some of the best cities to explore. Being the largest state of India, Rajasthan stands for its landmark and holds an important place for encouraging tourism in India. Whether we talk about the fascinating palaces of Jaipur, the beautiful lakes of Udaipur surrounded by the high range of the Aravali Mountains, the world-renowned tiger reserves, or the prominent Thar desert, the colourful state of India is sure to take travellers on a euphoric trip. Rajasthan has marked its importance in preserving and enriching the national heritage of India. Its artistic and cultural tradition is what makes Rajasthan the most popular holiday destination among varied travellers from all parts of the world.

Like every state, Rajasthan has its unique history, palaces, and temples that narrate the story of the great warriors who are still remembered for their courage and the love for their land. Dotted with plenty of architectural marvels that Rajasthan has, let’s take a look at the top twelve historical monuments that are truly a traveller’s paradise and also among the best places to visit in Rajasthan.

1. Amber Fort, Jaipur

Fabricated in the 17th Century and located on a scenic hill, Amber Fort is one of the most beautiful historical monuments of Rajasthan to visit, which is at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur city. Also commonly known as Amer Fort, this famous tourist attraction was built by Raja Man Singh, the king of the Amer region. The Amber Fort is the perfect amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. The combination of white and red sandstones makes the Amber Fort a magnificent architectural splendour in the pink city, Jaipur. Nestled next to Maota Lake, the majestic charm and geographical features of the Amber Fort make it one of the most visited monuments in Rajasthan tour packages.

2. City Palace, Jaipur

The City Palace, the royal abode, is another monument in Jaipur, Rajasthan, built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh, a Rajput ruler of the Amer region. The City Palace in the present time is a palace where royal families still live and stay; the palace is known as Chandra Mahal. A famous tale about the City Palace is that the palace premises has a huge silver pot which the former king of the palace used to carry holy water of Ganga in it when he used to travel abroad with his other ministers and soldiers. The City Palace also has three museums with arms and armament, carpets and furniture, and clothing and accessories of the royal families. The palace complex has a UNESCO World Heritage Site monument, Jantar Mantar, which is a famous observatory.

3. Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh

Built in the 7th century, the Chittorgarh Fort is one of the oldest and important monuments in Rajasthan. Many stories of heroism and bravery of the Rajputana warriors are associated with the fort. The UNESCO World Heritage site Chittorgarh Fort has seven gates that have a lot to explore, such as Rani Padmini Palace, Ratan Singh’s Palace, Badal Mahal, and a three-storied white sandstone Rani Padmavati Palace. Nestled on the banks of river Berach, the Chittorgarh Fort is perched on a 590 feet tall hill and is one of the largest forts in India. Chittorgarh Fort is also the land of many historical brave women like Rani Padmini, Rani Karnavati, and Meera Bai.

4. Ranthambore Fort, Sawai Madhopur

Located amidst the Ranthambore National Park, the Ranthambore Fort is the landmark of Rajasthan tourism. A well-recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ranthambore Fort is situated about 5 km inside the Ranthambore National Park, the marvel of the Chauhan dynasty.  Once the Ranthambore Fort was served as a royal hunting zone, later during the 1950s, the fort became a part of the Sawai Madhopur Sanctuary set up to conserve the wildlife in the area. The Ranthambore Fort offers a picturesque view of the fort and forest to the visitors, as the fort also offers an awe-inspiring view of the three lakes that are situated there. The other tourist attractions inside the fort include the Ganesha Temple, Shiva Temple, and Ramlalji Temple that are carved by 12th and 13th century AD Karauli stones.

5. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Fabricated in the year 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the prized jewel of Rajasthan, Hawa Mahal, is situated on the busy streets of Jaipur. The Hawa Mahal is one of the historical monuments in Jaipur that has honeycombed hive windows that are spread over five stories. There are almost 953 windows in the Hawa Mahal that the royal ladies once used as a veil to enjoy the activities that took place in the local market. Constructed with pink and red sandstones, Lal Chand Ustad, the designer of the Hawa Mahal, dedicated the beautiful architecture of the mahal to Lord Krishna and Radha. Also known as the ‘Palace of Winds,’ the Hawa Mahal is an exquisite amalgamation of Hindu and Mughal styles of architecture. Hawa Mahal is one of the most visited historical monuments of Rajasthan that narrates the history of the Rajputana lifestyle.

6. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

The Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, is one of the most stunning places to visit in Rajasthan. Situated at an altitude of around 400 meters above sea level on a rocky cliff, one can watch the Mehrangarh Fort from any vantage point of the city. Built by Rao Jodha in 1459, the fort is spread across an area of 5 km. There are seven gates in the Mehrangarh Fort, which different rulers built in different time periods in honour of the victory over Jaipur and Bikaner armies.  The palace also has a museum that displays the collection of palanquins, clothes, accessories, musical instruments, and royal costumes and armaments. The Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, is one of the most famous historical monuments of Rajasthan for its exquisite architecture and diverse history related to it.

7. Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer

Beautifully carved by the yellow sandstone, the Jaisalmer Fort, also known as the Golden Fort, is one of the largest forts in the world and is also recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fabricated in 1156 AD by Bhati clan ruler Rao Jaisal, the Jaisalmer Fort represents the rich history and is counted among the architectural wonders of Rajasthan. The elegant fort is a fusion of Rajput and Islamic architectural styles. The visitors can find many tourist attractions inside the Jaisalmer Fort like the Raj Mahal, Laxminath Temple, and Jain Temples. The Jaisalmer Fort region was once part of the silk route before the arrival of the Britishers. Jaisalmer was the significant stop-point for merchants during that time for a longer period.

8. Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur

Nestled amidst the Kumbhalgarh National Park and known as the birthplace of the legendary king of Mewar, the Kumbhalgarh Fort is the most famous monument in Rajasthan, known for its rich history and architectural beauty. The Kumbhalgarh Fort is built on the foothills of the Aravalli mountain range and is surrounded by thirteen hill peaks. The fort is surrounded by a thick wall of about fifteen kilometres which is considered to be the second-longest wall in the world after the Great Wall of China. The wall was built some 700 years ago and is still intact in good form. A trip to Rajasthan is incomplete without visiting the royal heritage of India, the Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur.

9. Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

Renowned as the testimony for the regal Rajputana architecture, the Junagarh Fort in Bikaner is also one of the best tourist destinations in Rajasthan. The beautiful Junagarh Fort was built in 1588 AD by Raja Rai Singh. Unlike other forts in Rajasthan that are constructed on hilltops, the Junagarh Fort is built in the heart of the Bikaner city. The Junagarh Fort is associated with a lot of historical significance, as invaders never conquered the fort even after several attempts. The fort is still intact in the present time, and a part of the Junagarh Fort has been converted into a museum to preserve the ancient artefacts of the warriors and royal families. Travellers visiting the Junagarh Fort also take pictures of themselves in colourful Rajasthani attire outside the Junagarh museum.

10. Dilwara Jain Temple, Mount Abu

Located about 2.5 km away from the beautiful hill station Mount Abu, the Dilwara Temple is a magnificent heritage site worth visiting while booking the Rajasthan tour package. The Dilwara Jain Temple complex consists of five temples, and different people built all the temples at different times. There are age-old pictures on the ceiling of the Shri Mahaveer Temple, which narrates the rich Jain culture and ancient art. The architecture of the Dilwara Jain temple dates back to the 11th and 12th century AD and is one of the significant pilgrimage sites among travellers.

The regal state of Rajasthan offers a diverse range of forts, palaces, and temples that are bound to leave you with lasting memories. Explore the Rajasthan luxury tour packages on offer by Veena World and get ready for a regal experience!