India’s Best Architectural Moments Architecture is beautiful. It is the reason why so many people travel to various destinations of the world. It is the reason why so many are awestruck by the Bhurj Khalifa, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, the pyramids at Giza, the Blue Mosque, and others. Every country has its own glorious examples of architectural brilliance, and so does India. From the Taj Mahal in Agra to the Gateway of India in Mumbai and beyond, India is a land of natural beauty but also architectural genius, and the following monuments are testaments to this: Qutub Minar: A part of the Qutb complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stunning Qutub Minar is a minaret that stands 239.5 metres high. Also known as the ‘victory tower’, the monument is gloriously built and rightfully causes even the most professional and competent architecture consultant to stare in wonder at it. Also, the Qutub Minar is a highly visited Indian landmark not just because it is an amazing architectural wonder but also because the Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque (Dome of Islam) stands just beside it. The Taj Mahal: The admiration of the world’s top architects, the Taj Mahal is a marble beauty that boasts a rich history and richer architecture. An Islamic mausoleum, the monument was built all the way back in the 1600s. The scale of this landmark was so huge that it took 11 years to complete the entire structure. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife and beloved, Mumtaz Mahal. Wouldn’t we all love a monument erected in our names! Safdarjung’s Tomb: Another incredible mausoleum, Safdarjung’s Tomb may not seem as grand as the Taj Mahal, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make the best architects in India gape with wonder. A sandstone and marble creation, the mausoleum is less like a tomb and more like a palace. The Delhi landmark was constructed in the 1700s for Nawab Safdarjung. But it isn’t just the impressive architecture of the tomb itself that draws tourists from the world over; Safdarjung’s Tomb also packs a garden that is 920 feet long on each side. Picture that! Statue of Unity: Unlike the other monuments on this list, the Statue of Unity was constructed very recently. In fact, it was completed just last year. Constructed over five years, this is a statue not to be taken lightly. Firstly, it is a statue of an esteemed individual in Indian history: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Secondly, it is the largest statue in the entire
www.accessarchitects.in
world! Designed by the sculptor Ram V Sutar, the Statue of Unity is probably India’s greatest feat in sculpture yet. Mysore Palace: A southern beauty, the Mysore Palace is beautifully located and wonderfully built. It is therefore no wonder that the palace is India’s second most famous tourist attraction. The monument is the official residence of the Wadiyars and is also the very seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The stunning royal dwelling was built in mixed styles: Indo-Saracenic, Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic. Makes you want to visit it, right?
www.accessarchitects.in