Tourists who are keen on India holidays and flight packages are more or less enamoured by the country’s rich heritage. India has seen the rule of different dynasties and each empire has worked to leave behind their own architectural legacy.
India is the land of rajas and maharajas, the royal and imperial, and the forts and palaces! It is the rich heritage of the country that has catapulted it amongst the planet’s most intriguing and fascinating holiday destinations. People even with the faintest idea of Indian history know that the nation has seen the rise and growth of various powerful dynasties like Mughals, Guptas, Rajputs, etc. Each dynasty has left behind grand testaments of their rule and empire in the region, providing fodder to the imagination of erudite and the inquisitor who is about to jump aboard India bound flights. Here is a brief look at some Indian style of construction that flourished under different dynasties. Of course, this is not to say that others were any less important than these.
Mughal: Perhaps the majority of most striking of architectural wonders in North India can all be traced to the Mughals. Mughal design is an Indo-Islamic style that flourished in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries throughout the Indian subcontinent, but more so in the northern part of the country. History buffs, who have booked their tour packages and all ready for India holidays, must be aware that Delhi has long been the capital of India, and it is in Delhi and its surrounding areas where people can check out the true brilliance of Mughal architecture. Red Fort is one big specimen of that. Humayun’s Tomb, Old Fort and Jama Masjid are few others where people can appreciate the grandeur of Mughal architecture during their holidays. But is not just Delhi where the vivid traces of Mogul style of building can be located. India’s most premier attraction, Taj Mahal is also an example of the same style and is located some few hundred kilometres from Delhi in Agra. Taj is indeed the biggest persuasion for regular vacationers to book travel packages for holidays in India. But it is not just flights tickets that are required; people must also buy entry tickets to go inside the premises of the mausoleum. Other prominent Mogul buildings are Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Visits to all these are usually included in the India’s Golden Triangle packages.
Rajput: Rajput architectural style is no less grand. Most of the Rajputana buildings reflect an indigenous tradition of religious architecture that is mostly found in the north part of the country, especially Rajasthan. It wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that while it is the fame of Taj Mahal that pushes vacationers to seek tour packages and organise holidays in India, it is the grandeur of Rajput architecture at cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Chittor that hold their interest in India. Massive hill-desert fort complexes are perhaps the ideal representations of Rajput style of construction. Jaipur is perhaps among the most visited Indian destination and is known to be a big favourite of European travellers who rummage around for cheap travel packages for holidays in the country. Hawa Mahal deserves a special mention as it is a highly unique design – a multi-storey pyramidal shaped monument.
Gupta: Gupta was an ancient Indian empire that ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent. The Gupta period is remembered in India for its incredible development in the fields of art, sculpture and literature. It is believed that as far as art and architecture go, the Guptas were far superior to most others that ruled India. Holiday makers, who are keen on beholding the ravishing intricate beauty of Gupta sculpture during their holidays, will realise that most of their works were influenced by religious and spiritual themes. Vishnu Temple, at Deogarh in Central India, is one of the oldest Hindu stone temples built during Gupta period and is huge hit with tourists opting for spiritual tour packages. Several other ancient temples all over the region are credited to the dynasty. Buddhist architecture flourished too with several Buddhist shrines and monasteries developed in Ajanta hills and other areas.
