From hand-carved temples and 9th-century stairwells to Raj-era monuments and fortresses dating back to the Mughal dynasty, the most iconic historic buildings in India are living proof of the many influences that have shaped the country's present-day.
Indeed, India, with its many religions, languages and ways of life – from food to clothing – is amongst the most diverse in the world. With many empires having come and gone, each has left its mark across the nation. Today, these buildings are open to the public to enjoy: from mausoleums that became symbols of love and buildings that can still offer a masterclass on sustainable design, to royal residences now turned into hotels.
India can also be overwhelming, for locals and tourists alike; so treat our list of the 17 historic buildings of India as your one-stop guide when planning a trip. This one is for architecture lovers, history buffs and everyone in between.
Taj Mahal, Agra
If you're planning a trip to India, chances are the Taj Mahal is already on your mind. One of the world's seven wonders, the monument is part of the Golden Triangle of Indian tourism that covers Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. This symbol of romance has been witness to countless proposals and timeless love stories for centuries. Its grandeur has even inspired replicas across the globe – from Taj Arabia in Dubai to a quirky Taj Mahal-themed houseboat in California – but let's be honest, nothing compares to the original. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1648, the pure white marble facade with a 3D effect is known for its most intricate inlays and delicate lattices, representing the pinnacle of building design in the Indo-Mughal style.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Literally translating to the Palace of the Winds, Hawa Mahal defines Jaipur's cityscape, the Pink City of India. Its pink pyramidal façade, adorned with oriel windows and arches, is a brilliant fusion of Indo-Mughal architecture with a distinct Rajasthani touch. It's one of the few buildings admired for its rear elevation instead of the front. Built in 1799 by the Maharaja of Jaipur, this part-pavilion, part-palace was ingeniously designed as a viewing platform for royal ladies to observe the bustling streets and festivals below without being seen. The palace's 1,000 intricate perforations act as a natural cooling system, allowing the hot desert air to be cooled down through the Venturi effect, creating a surprisingly comfortable microclimate, making it a climate-sustainable building from the history of India.
Amer Fort, Devisinghpura
Once the seat of power for the Kachwaha Rajputs, Amer Fort – often called the fort of the forgotten capital – stands just 11 km from Jaipur, the present capital of Rajasthan. An amalgamation of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles, Amer is perched atop a hillock surrounded by several other ancient structures and historic landmarks. The 400-year-old fort is famed for its mirror work on the walls and 3D carvings creating illusions on its pillars. Amer Fort is a maze of palaces, courtyards, gateways, and gardens. Highlights include the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), which is clad head-to-toe in mirror mosaics; the Diwan-e-Khas, adorned with delicate floral patterns; and the Ganesh Pol, an ornate gateway leading to the royal chambers.
Chand Baori, Abhaneri
Nestled between Jaipur and Agra, Chand Baori is one of Rajasthan's oldest architectural marvels, blending functionality with artistry. The 9th-century baori (well) is an inverted pyramid-style maze that descends 20 metres with 3,500 symmetrically arranged steps. It was designed to harvest rainwater and naturally cool the air – often 5-6°C lower than the surroundings. The stepwell also served as a congregational space, featuring ornate pavilions, carved jharokhas (windows), religious sculptures, and a royal residence for the King and Queen.
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
The royal family of Mewar in Rajasthan, used this floating palace on the lake Pichola as a summer retreat. Constructed in the 18th century in Udaipur, also known as the city of lakes, it is now a luxury heritage property managed by Taj Hotels. The Lake Palace follows Rajput architectural elements like canopies, orial, windows and cusped arches. This property was used as a filming location for many films, including the James Bond movie, Octopussy (1983), starring Roger Moore.
Qutub Minar, Delhi
At 73 metres tall, Qutub Minar is the world's tallest brick minaret. Built in 1193, the tower was one of the first major monuments of Islamic architecture in the Indian subcontinent. Its five tapering stories are adorned with intricate calligraphy, floral motifs, and geometric patterns. The first three stories are red sandstone, while the top two are a mix of marble and sandstone. Surrounding the minaret are ancient ruins, mosques, and the famous Iron Pillar, which has mysteriously resisted rust for centuries.
Humayun's Tomb, New Delhi
This tomb was built in 1570 in the heart of New Delhi and is often seen as the architectural predecessor to the Taj Mahal. It was also India's first-ever garden tomb. Humayun tomb is a harmonious mix of red sandstone and white marble, resting atop a grand plinth, surrounded by meticulously designed geometric gardens inspired by the Persian concept of paradise on earth. The inside of the tomb is known for its intricate latticed screens, arched alcoves, and a double dome design following a typical medieval Mughal aesthetic.
India Gate, New Delhi
Standing tall at the end of a grand ceremonial boulevard leading to the Presidential House of India in New Delhi, India Gate is essentially a war memorial designed along the prevalent European style for such landmarks. Made between 1921 and 1931, this iconic structure was the brainchild of the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who took cues from the triumphal arches of France and Rome. The gate is an imposing sandstone façade, beautifully detailed with wreaths, mouldings, cornices, and other elements of classical architecture. Names of fallen soldiers are carved onto its walls and it serves as a focal point of India's annual republic day parade.
Golden Temple, Amritsar
Located in Amritsar, Punjab, the Golden Temple is a mishmash of Sikh, Indo-Islamic, and Rajput architectural styles. The temple was originally constructed in 1581 and sits at the centre of an artificial lake for spiritual transcendence. The gold-plated façade was later added by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1830. The temple is adorned with intricate floral motifs, marble inlays, and frescoes, but the gilded dome remains the focal point.
Konark Sun Temple, Puri
Located in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, the Konark Sun Temple is a clever example of turning symbolism into a work of art and architecture. Dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, the Konark temple is a massive stone chariot with 24 intricately carved wheels and seven galloping horses. The Nagara architecture of the temple is one of the three classical Indian temple architectures. Despite much of it being in ruins, Konark's grandeur, sheer scale, and craftsmanship are still visible today.
Khajuraho, Chhatarpur
Another stunning example of Nagara-style architecture, the Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh in central India boasts the largest concentration of Hindu and Jain temples in India. These temples are just as famous for their sensuous sculptures as they are for their intricate storytelling in stone. The temple walls are densely adorned with sandstone carvings that bring scenes from everyday existence to life – celestial musicians, amorous couples, agrarian landscapes – all frozen in time over a thousand years ago. The Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the most visited. It spans approximately 6,500 square feet and has layered mandapas (halls), ornate ceilings, and intricately chiselled friezes. But the real showstopper is its soaring shikhara (spire), at 116 feet, which mirrors the mythical axis of the universe in Hindu cosmology.
Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, West Bengal, is an example of Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture, blending British, Mughal, and Venetian influences. Built from the same marble as the Taj Mahal, its grand dome and colonnades reflect European neoclassical designs, with domed kiosks and intricate lattices showcasing Mughal and Rajasthani elements. The massive central dome, topped with the iconic Angel of Victory, dominates the skyline, while the interior features stunning stained glass, marble sculptures, and frescoed ceilings.
Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
At its opening, it was likely the only place where a British viceroy and an Indian maharajah could cross paths. Overlooking the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea, the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, has been a landmark since 1903. Designed by W.A. Chambers in Indo-Saracenic style, it was built to position Bombay (now Mumbai) among the world's great cities. The hotel has since hosted royalty, dignitaries, and iconic guests. Its 240-foot-high dome still serves as a navigation point for Indian Navy ships, which take bearings from Middle Ground, an old naval battery nearby. In November 2008, the hotel was the focal point of a coordinated terrorist attack on Mumbai which lasted four days. The impacted parts of the hotel have since been faithfully restored.
Gateway of India, Mumbai
Mumbai's most iconic landmark, the Gateway of India, blends Indo-Saracenic, Mughal, and Gothic architectural styles. Built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, it is a more recent addition to the lengthy list of historic buildings in India. This grand basalt arch faces the Arabian Sea's edge and is reminiscent of grand European and Indian palaces. Flanked by four turrets and adorned with delicate detailing and several anecdotes. It is also where the last British troops left after India declared independence, making it a perfect spot for history lovers and sunset chasers alike.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad
The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are two of India's oldest monuments, dating back to 200 BCE for Ajanta and 600 CE, respectively. Both caves are close to the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Ajanta's caves are known for their vivid murals and Buddha statues, while Ellora is famed for its monolithic rock-cut architecture, notably the Kailasa Temple, which defies engineering logic.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
The Meenakshi Temple is one of India's most visually striking historical landmarks. Built over centuries in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, it is a masterpiece of classical Dravidian architecture. The temple is famous for its towering gopurams (gateway towers), each covered in a riot of colours and adorned with intricate sculptures of deities, demons, and mythical creatures from Hindu mythology. Inside, the 1,000-pillared hall is an engineering marvel, with some pillars that can produce musical notes when struck.
Taj Falaknuma, Hyderabad
Perched 609 metres above sea level, the Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad is one of the world's most expansive private residences. Once the regal abode of the Nizams of India, Taj Falaknuma immediately evokes royal whims, such as a horse-drawn carriage, sprawling gardens, mesmerising fountains, and sharply dressed butlers behind bejewelled begums (queens). Now a Taj property for well-heeled travellers, the palace boasts 60 opulent rooms and suites, each offering views over the palace courtyards and the 400-year-old city of Hyderabad below. Designed by English architect William Ward Marret in 1884, the palace features a unique scorpion-shaped design, with two ‘stings’ spread out as wings. The entire structure is crafted from Italian marble in Tudor-style architecture.
