INDIA'S HERITAGE MONUMENTS

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Golghar granary, Patna : It is built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin of British Army at Patna in Bihar. The state experienced severe famine in 1770. The structure is 29 m high and 3.6 m wide at the base. A spiral stairway winding over the dome to top, which has a breathtaking view of the city. The spiral staircase was designed to facilitate the passage of the coolies, who had to carry grain bags up one flight, deliver their load through a hole at the top and descend the other stairs.

The bizarre Golghar or silo was constructed at the behest of Warren Hastings. It is also noted for its echo. But it is doubtful if it was ever used for the purpose for which it was built.

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Ashoka edicts of Dhauli : Around 8 km south of Bhubaneshwar in Orissa is the site of a set of rock edicts left by the Indian emperor Ashoka in about 260 BC. Emperor Ashoka wanted to annex Kalinga, a powerful kingdom. After a lot of bloodshed he could take over the kingdom. But Ashoka was filled with remorse and he turned to Buddhism. This is the historical Dhauli on the banks of the river Daya. These rock edicts mark the spot the bloody Kalinga war was fought. Above the inscription, an elephant emerges from the rock. The peace pagoda is another main tourist attraction.

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Elephanta caves, Mumbai : The 3rd c. caves are in an island one hour away from Mumbai. Inside the cave it is a large hall, with nine sculptured panels representing Shiva in different moods. Later the Portuguese took possession of the island and as they found a monolith elephant, the island was named Elephanta. The body of the caves is a square of about 28 m eachway, supported by six rows of columns. Temples in the caves and the carvings on the walls show Shiva in different moods and shapes. The most striking of these sculptures is the famous colossal Trimurti at the back of the cave facing the entrance. This is a representtion of the Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The place is 9 km way by sea and approachable by launch from Gateway of India. Higher up on the island can be seen two British coastal guns of 7.5 m calibre.

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Ajanta & Ellora caves : Ellora caves are located near Aurangabad (22 km) in Maharashtra. The caves are chiselled out from 2 to 10 th century AD. Ellora's best and largest cave temple is Kailash temple, which is carved out of one solid rock, took over 30 years of construction. The caves are numbered from North to South and can be divided into three
distinct sections. The first 16 caves carry Buddhist descriptions while 13 have mostly Hindu gods and goddesses. The rest are dedicated to Jain Thirthankaras. Daulatabad fortress is on the way worth a visit.

Unlike the Ellora caves, the 30 Ajanta caves are dedicated solely to Buddhism. Ajanta caves (100 km from Aurangabad) were hidden for a long time under the thick undergrowth till the 19 th century, when a company of British soldiers accidentially discovered them. While the Ajanta caves are noted for their paintings, the Ellora caves are famous for their sculptures. Chronologically the Ellora caves start where the Ajanta caves finish.

Ajanta Ellora cave photos

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Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad : It means 'star of heaven', is a magnificent palace built by Nawab Vikar ul Ulmara, the then Prime minister of the Hyderabad state, now Andhra Pradesh. The palace is a rare blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. Located 5 km south of Charminar in Hyderabad, on a hill above 62 m, it took 9 years to complete the construction. It is totally made with Italian marble and covers a total area of 939 712 sq m. The splendour of Falaknuma Palace and lavish hospitality became famous throughout India.

The palace looks like a scorpion with two stings spread out as wings on the north. It has one of the most lavishly decorated interiors. The Jade collection of the palace is considered to be unique in the world. The palace has priceless collection of paintings, statues and English furniture. It also houses the largest Venetian chandeliers. Its glass stained windows throw a spectrum of colours into the rooms. The walls are artistically painted and decorated. The staircase leading to the upper floor is supported with carved balustrades and marble figures. The dining hall in the palace can accomodate atleast 100 guests at a time. The furniture is also very aesthetic. The palace has a library with a walnut carved roof, a replica of the Windsor castle.

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Fatehpur Sikri, Agra : It is city built in red sandstone by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1585 AD, 37 km from Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Today this deserted city with a population of about 30 000 has many old structures. Fatehpur Sikri mosque is a copy of Mecca masjid and has designs derived from Persian and Hindu architecture. The prime locations to visit are Diwan Khana i Khaas, Diwan i am, Turkish Sultana's house, Palace of Jodha Bai, Daulat Khana i Khaas, Sunehra Makan, Panch Mahal, Hawa mahal, Nagina masjid, Birbal's palacem, Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chisti and the Buland Darwaza. Here once lives Sheikh Salim Chishti, a mystic saint who bestowed an heir in Akbar. When blessed with a son, Akbar named his son Salim and shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri. The shortage of the plannede capial city later comelled him to abandon it.

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Gateway of India, Mumbai : Built to commemorate the first ever visit of the British monarch, King George V and queen Mary in 1911, was a white plaster arch, which was later changed to the carved yellow basalt gateway. Noted architect George Wittet built the gateway on the 16 th century Gujrat style. One can travel to Elephanta caves by launch from here. Nearby is the Prince of Wales museum built in the Indo - Saracenic style.

Gateway of India

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Golconda fort, Hyderabad : One of the most magnificent fort complexes in India. Crenulated ramparts constructed of large masonary rocks surround the citadel, built on a 120 m high granite hill. The fort's accoustics are remarkable : the sound of hands clapping in the Grand Portico can be heard in the Durbar hall at the top of the hill. An hour long light and sound show is held daily except on Mondays. Kakatiya kings built the fort and ruled the nearby places. The fort is 11 km in perimeter and its walls are 4.5 to 5.5 m high. The whole fort is built of granite and flanked by 70 ramparts and eight huge gates. Previously the whole fort was surrounded by deep moat but slowly this was filled up.

About 8 km west of Hyderabad, the Golconda fort remained invincible for Emperor Aurangazeb despite his huge imperial army and seven months seige, but then he succeeded by stratagem and treachery. The Kohinoor diamond, which still adorns the British crown, came from here. Tomb of Qutb Shahi kings, a huge hollow tree are nearby and worth a visit.

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Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur : The tomb of Mohammad Adil Shah is the landmark of Bijapur. The tomb is made of Persian architecture with a dome, different types of well formed arches and use of Islamic motifs. Externally, the tomb is a massive cube, with octagonal seven storeyed towers topped by small rounded domes, projecting at the corners.

Internally, there is only one square chamber of majestic proportions, each side of which is 41.5 m high, the walls over 3 m thick and 34 m high. The dome has a diameter of 38.5 m internally with its apex over 61.5 m high.

BIJAPUR (100 km from Solapur) - Archaeological museum, Gol Gumbaz - world's fourth largest dome (37.92 m in diameter, 51 m in height and 3 m thick walls, A single minute whisper will be echoed 9 times), fort, Jami masjid, Asar Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Upli Buruj (Watch tower), Mallik e Maidan (a 55 tonne, 14 feet cannon), Bara Kaman, Ibrahim Roza tomb.

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Gwalior fort, Madhya Pradesh : The fort is having a thousand year old history and is known as 'the perl amongst fortresses in India'. It passed through many hands, right from Man singh of the Tomar dynasty to Ibrahim Lodhi, from the mighty Mughals to the valorous Marathas and finally to the British. During the Mutiny in 1857, Tantia Tope was defeated and the heroine of the Mutiny, the Rani of Jhansi was killed here. There is a memorial to her here.

Situated on a hill, 100 m above the town and being 3 km in length, it has earned the reputation of being the most impregnable fort in north and in central India. The width is varying between 200 m to one km. The walls, which encircle the fort are solid and nearly 10 m high. In places the cliff overhangs and elsewhere it has been clipped to make it steep and hence unscalable. The fort also enjoys the advantage of an unlimited water supply, as there are many water tanks on the palteau. It offers a panoramic view of the town and the plains below. There are many monuments in and around the fort. Within the fort itself are temples, pools, palace and a museum. The Gujari Mahal was built here by Raja Man
Singh in 15 th century for his favourite queen Mriganayanee.



Sas Bahu mandir : Shrines of mother in law and daughter in law temple (meaning in Hindi). Located south of Hathia Paur in Gwalior fort. The 11 th centruy temple is dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The shrine ios in the shape of a cross 31 m long and 20 m wide. The central hall has four massive pillars bearing the pyramidal roof of the upper storey. The
temples have exquisite carvings of human figures, as well as plant and animal motifs. The Suraj kund, the pool from which king Suraj Pal drank and got cured of his leprosy.

Teli Ka Mandir, Gwalior : The 31 m high 9 th century temple is in the Gwalior fort. King Suraj Pal, founder of the fort, was said to be cured of leprosy upon bathing at the nearby Suraj Kund. The temple roof is of a ridge type found on the vaulted roof of a Buddhist chaitya hall. Tomb of tansen (the famous singer at Akbar's court) is nearby.