Art and Culture

Location: Bihar Founded by: Gupta period (likely under Kumaragupta I) Significance: Famous as one of the world’s first residential universities. Academic Significance: Centre for advanced studies in Buddhist philosophy, logic, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and various arts and sciences. Travelers Visited: … Continue reading →

Other Name: Queen’s Stepwell Location: Situated on the banks of the Saraswati river in Patan, Gujarat. Built by Built in the 11th century AD, during the reign of the Solanki dynasty. Commissioned by Queen Udayamati, in memory of her husband … Continue reading →

Location: Aravalli Range, Rajasthan Built by: Built between the 5th and 18th centuries CE by Rajput rulers. Comprises Six Forts Chittorgarh Fort: Symbol of Rajput chivalry; known for jauhar events. Kumbhalgarh Fort: Second-longest continuous wall after the Great Wall of … Continue reading →

Location: Rajasthan Built by: Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century,  What is it? : It is an astronomical observatory featuring 19 architectural instruments. Purpose Designed for naked-eye astronomical observations. Used to measure time, predict eclipses, track stars, … Continue reading →

Location: Delhi Built by: Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan Previous Name: Qila-e-Mubarak (Blessed Fort) Architecture Style: Mughal architecture. Material Used for Construction: Red Sandstone Historical Significance Served as the political and ceremonial center of Mughal rule in India. Conducted Red Fort … Continue reading →

Location: Maharashtra Designed by: Frederick William Stevens in the  Architecture Style: Victorian Gothic style, drawing influences from Italian Gothic architecture and combining them with influences from Indian traditional buildings built in the late 19th century. Significance: It symbolised the wealth … Continue reading →

Location: Gujarat Historical span: Heritage ranging from prehistoric (chalcolithic) times to 16th-century structures. Architectural fusion: Blend of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic styles (e.g., reuse of Hindu motifs in mosques). Important Monuments Jami Masjid: Noted for its elegant minarets, domes, and … Continue reading →

Location: Vindhyan ranges of Madhya Pradesh. Discovery: The caves of Bhimbetka were discovered in 1957–58 by V. S. Wakankar. Paintings The paintings at Bhimbetka belong to the Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Chalcolithic, early historic, and medieval periods. Major colours used are … Continue reading →

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) Location: West Bengal (New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling). Length: ~88 km Gauge: Narrow gauge (2 feet or 610 mm) Altitude: From ~100 m (New Jalpaiguri) to ~2,200 m (Darjeeling) History: Built between 1879 and 1881. Nilgiri Mountain … Continue reading →

Location: Mehrauli, Delhi, India. Built By: Construction was initiated by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1192 CE and completed by his successor, Iltutmish. Significance: A symbol of the Delhi Sultanate’s power and early Indo-Islamic architecture. Material: Red sandstone, with some marble inlays … Continue reading →