From ancient times, India has welcomed different tribes, races, ethnicities with open arms. And while some took advantage of our land’s hospitality, others fell in love with the same land and stayed back, calling it home. The ones who remained and got integrated into the mass of Indians also brought with them various cultural traits and architectural styles, that eventually made India’s culture so rich as it is today.
But only a handful of those visually stunning monuments made it to the fame club while the rest of them are lying in oblivion. So here are some of the beautiful monuments which are sadly not famous, but definitely should be.
1. Bidar fort, Karnataka
Situated in the Deccan plateau, Bidar is called the ‘City of Whispering Monuments’. The Bidar fort, a 15th-century creation is a Bahmani monument, was built when Sultan Alla-Ud-Din Bahman moved his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar, and boasts of the architectural traits of the time.
2. Sarkhej Roza, Gujarat
Located in the village of Makaraba, near Ahmedabad, Sarkhej Roza is a mosque and a tomb complex. It was once a very famous centre of Sufi culture, as Sufi saint Shaikh Ahmed Ganj Baksh lived there. Sarkhej Roza is also known as “Ahmedabad’s Acropolis”.
3. Salim Singh ki Haveli, Rajasthan
One of the famous havelis in Jaisalmer, Salim Singh ki Haveli is an impressive 17th-century structure made with the typical yellow sandstone of the area. One of the features distinguishing this haveli from the others is that the roof of this building was constructed in the form of a Peacock.
4. Rabdentse, Sikkim
Located in West Sikkim, it was the former capital of the State. Rabdentse is located near a monastery that is one of Sikkim’s oldest. It works as an excellent viewpoint for you to take in the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings.
5. Tughlaqabad, New Delhi
Bearing a resemblance with the ruins of Harappa and Mahenjodaro, Tughlaqabad in New Delhi boasts an impressive citadel. Yet, not many people visiting Delhi keep this mesmerizing monument in their “to visit” list!
6. Maluti temples, Jharkhand
In the small town of Maluti in Jharkhand, there are over 70 terracotta temples that bear the mark of history while standing tall. This is one the endangered historical sights of India that are badly in need of good management. These temples were built under the Baj Basanta dynasty, and portray scenes from the Hindu epics.
7. Basgo monasteries, Leh
It is a monastery situated in Basgo, in Leh. It was built during the reign of the Namgyal rulers in 17th-century and served as a political and cultural centre. The monastery is situated on a hilltop and offers a surreal view of the valley.
8. Kanch Mahal, Agra
Originally a palace built for the royal ladies of the Mughal royal family, Kanch Mahal is a beautiful building situated near Akbar’s tomb in Agra. This building is one of the finest examples of the domestic architecture of the Mughal era and got its name from the beautiful tile work on the red stones that adorn its walls.
9. Maner Sharif, Bihar
Situated near Patna, the town of Maner has the tombs of Sufi saint Makhdoom Yahya Maneri and Makhdoom Shah Daulat. The two tombs are known as Badi Dargah and Chhoti Dargah respectively. The shrines have been there since early 17th century!
10. Chini ka Rauza, Agra
Located in Agra, this impressive monument is the tomb of the renowned poet and scholar Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, who was also a courtier of Shah Jahan. Bearing the traits of Indo-Persian architecture, this tomb got its name from the colourful tiles known as ‘chini’ that were used to make it.
11. Bada Bagh, Jaisalmer
Also situated near Jaisalmer, Bada Bagh is a garden complex. The beauty of this complex lies in the many royal chhatris or cenotaphs (empty tomb built in the memory of a near one).
Source-Storypick.com
