Who Built These 10 Iconic Heritage Sites in India?
By Priyanka Roshan | April 15, 2025
India is a living museum, from the Himalayas to the southern coasts, filled with legendary monuments. Ever wondered who built these masterpieces? Let’s explore 10 iconic heritage sites and the minds behind them.
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1. Taj Mahal, Agra
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this white marble wonder in 1632 as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal—a timeless symbol of love and craftsmanship.
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2. Qutub Minar, Delhi
Started in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish and Firoz Shah Tughlaq, this sandstone minaret marked the rise of Islamic rule in India.
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3. Hampi, Karnataka
Built in the 14th century by the Vijayanagara kings, Hampi was once a bustling capital full of temples, bazaars, and royal ruins nestled among dramatic boulders.
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4. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
Commissioned in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I, this colossal chariot-shaped temple celebrates Surya, the Sun God, in stone and symbolism.
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5. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
Founded in the 16th century by Akbar, this short-lived Mughal capital was built in red sandstone to honor Sufi saint Salim Chishti, blending faith and power.
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6. Charminar, Hyderabad
Built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah to mark the end of a deadly plague, Charminar remains Hyderabad’s most beloved landmark.
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7. Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh
Between 950–1050 AD, the Chandelas built these temples famed for intricate sculptures depicting sensuality, mythology, and everyday life with stunning grace.
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8. Mysore Palace, Karnataka
After a fire, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV rebuilt this Indo-Saracenic masterpiece in 1912—an opulent mix of stained glass, domes, and royal décor.
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9. Gateway of India, Mumbai
Designed by George Wittet in 1924, this arch commemorated the visit of British royalty and became the symbolic exit point of British rule in 1948.
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10. Red Fort, Delhi
Built in 1648 by Shah Jahan as the Mughal capital, the Red Fort’s massive red sandstone walls still echo the grandeur of a bygone empire.
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