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Indian Forts & Palaces

Agra Fort, Agra
Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, northwest of the Taj Mahal, this majestic fort was started by the Emperor Akbar, and it developed as a stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This majestic fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5- km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many visionary palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.

City Palace, Jaipur
Splendidly unique and exquisite, City Palace is located in the capital of Rajasthan and is a perfect example of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, developments have been made to the palace complex by many of his successors. The City Palace stands majestically on the hill guarded by crenelated fort walls. In contrast to its rough exterior, the inside presents a delicate and exquisite world of beauty with lavish use of marble, mirror work, frescoes, wall paintings, silver doors, fountains and gardens.

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
Hyderabad was one of the many princely states that existed during the time that the British ruled India. Golconda Fort, Hyderabad is one of the most magnificent fortress complex in India which lies on the western outskirts around 11km from Hyderabad, the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The history of Golconda Fort, Hyderabad dates back to the early 13th century, when this south eastern part of the country was ruled by the Kakatiyas. Nowadays the ruins have a desolate majesty in the midst of an arid plain.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Constructed in 1799, Hawa Mahal is the most sensational monument in the city of Jaipur. The palace, overlooks one of Jaipur's main streets and was originally constructed to offer women of the court an upper hand, so that they can watch the activities taking place in the bazaar and the surrounding streets behind stone-carved screens. For this purpose, it was designed with over 900 niches, and the entire building is shaped like a crown adorning Lord Krishna's head.

Lake Palace, Udaipur
The Lake Palace hotel amazes and delights you at every turn. Every inch of it is made of pure white marble, slender carved columns, fountains, filigreed screens and swimming pool, created for the private frolics of a princess. It is the early morning musical cacophony of birds and white masses of bougainvillea drooping over a rippling lily-pond that attracts the tourist.

Mysore Palace
Designed for the Maharaja of Mysore by a British architect, Mysore Palace was built in 1897. The decorations inside are outrageously extravagant, proving how rich the Maharaja was at this time. The palace is spectacularly illuminated on Sunday nights, and during the festive season of Dussehra. The Mysore Palace, once the residence of the Wodeyars, is one of the largest palaces of its kind in India, and one of the most splendid.

Red Fort, Delhi
The Red Fort, Shah Jahan's elegant citadel in red sandstone, was built on the western bank of the river Yamuna. Shahjahan, started the construction of this massive fort in 1638, when he shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi. The fort was completed along with the huge city of Shajahanabad after nine years on 16th April 1648. This sandstone fort possess grand audience halls, marble palaces, once embedded with precious stones, a market place where the royalty used to shop, a mosque, gardens with marbled fountains, plazas, baths etc.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Jodhpur's Royal Residence, the splendid Umaid Bhawan Palace, is its' most dominant landmark, visible from every part of this sprawling city. Perched atop Chittar Hill, this magnificent edifice is considered the largest private residence in the world. You drive past the immaculate lawns to be greeted by a doorman in Rajput livery.

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