Adrija Sen
July 7, 2022
When Mughal ruler Shah Jahan decided to change his capital from Agra to Delhi, he built the Red Fort in the 17th century. The thick red sandstone walls of the Fort have protected its inhabitants for more than 200 years. It is located in Old Delhi and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Since its completion in 1684, Persians, Sikhs, Marathas, and even the British tried to stake a claim on the Fort. When India gained independence, the Red Fort was chosen as a primary site of public celebration due to its rich history.
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Rajput ruler Maharaja Man Singh I began constructing the fort in 1592. After him, the successive rulers added to the fort complex and occupied it. Amber Fort is part of a group of six hill forts in Rajasthan that were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013.
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The fort is built out of sandstone and white marble and is known for its beautiful architecture blending Hindu and Mughal influences. The complex consists of courtyards, palaces, halls, and gardens. The Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors is considered exquisite especially due to its intricate mirror work.
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The construction of Jaisalmer Fort was started in 1156 by Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisa and is one of the oldest forts in Rajasthan. The fort continued to expand, covering the whole hill and eventually transforming itself into a city. During times of conflict, it gave shelter to many people who sought refuge.
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The Jaisalmer Fort is fascinating because of its status as a “living fort.” The maze-like alleys made of yellow sandstone are home to thousands of people whose ancestors lived amidst these walls. The complex is full of life with shops, hotels, restaurants, a palace complex, old haveli mansions and temples inside it!
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Chittorgarh Fort is the greatest and largest fort in Rajasthan, measuring a sprawling 700 acres. Mewar kings ruled here for eight centuries! Mughal Emperor Akbar captured it in 1568, but in a twist, his son Jehangir later gave it back to the Mewars in 1616 but was left uninhabited.
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The complex has 65 historic structures, which include four palaces, 19 large temples, 20 water bodies, 4 memorials and a few victory towers. In its heyday, the fort had 84 water bodies fed naturally that could store 4 billion litres of water, enough for an army of 50,000!
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First originating as a mud fort in the 13th century by the Kakatiya Kings of Waranga, the Golconda Fort was restored in stone under the Qutub Shahi dynasty in the 15th century. But it was during the 17th century when it rose to prominence for its diamond market, with some of the world's most priceless diamonds found in this area!
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The complex has numerous gateways, drawbridges, temples, mosques, royal apartments, halls, and stables. The fort is renowned for its unique acoustic design, where a clap from one end is clearly heard more than a kilometre away at the main entrance. The design was to warn the royalty of any impending attack.
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