The state of Madhya Pradesh is renowned for having a rich cultural heritage and a plethora of historical monuments.
The state is a significant cultural hub and draws both domestic and foreign tourists in large numbers throughout the year.
Kudos to its extensive collection of monuments that provide in-depth knowledge about bygone eras.
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You will fall in love with the impressive historical and mythological structures in every nook and corner of Madhya Pradesh.
The historic temples, opulent mosques, gorgeous palaces, and well-built forts are associated with the dynasties of Sungas, Andhras, Satavahanas, Ksaptrapas, Nagas, and the Guptas who ruled over this place.
Madhya Pradesh’s heritage sites are well known for their stunning architecture and intricate carvings.
These locations feature various architectural designs, from modern temple architecture to Mughal architecture.
In this article, you will get to know about the following historical monuments in Madhya Pradesh,
Let’s see each of these monuments in detail.
List of historical monuments to visit in Madhya Pradesh
1. Khajuraho
| Location | Chhatarpur |
| Constructed in | Between 950 and 1050 AD |
| Timings | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 40 per person for Indians Rs. 600 per person for Foreigners* |
The stunning temples at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are a unique representation of Indian History. The temples are famous throughout the world for their carvings. They were built over a hundred years by the Chandela kings.
The name “Khajuraho” comes from the word “Khajur,” which refers to the date palms that once surrounded the temple complex.
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Khajuraho is an example of Indian architecture and culture during the Middle Ages. These Hindu and Jain temples’ architecture depicts various forms of love, and the carvings on the walls show passionate love in beautiful ways.
The intricate sculptures and figurines, constructed between 950 and 1050 AD, depict various inner sentiments of the rulers at that time. The sculptures are grouped in specific categories to help understand the fine works of the sculptors better.
2. Sanchi Stupa
| Location | Sanchi Town, Raisen district |
| Constructed in | 3rd century BCE |
| Timings | 8:30 AM – 6 PM |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 30 per person for Indians Rs. 500 per person for Foreigners* |
Sanchi Stupa is one of the early stone buildings and a prime Buddhist monument in India. It is 46 kilometers from the main center of Bhopal.
The Great Stupa was built in the third century BCE by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monuments and sculptures at the location illustrate how Buddhist art and architecture evolved in Madhya Pradesh.
This enormous hemispherical dome, which stands more than 50 feet tall and has a diameter of more than 30 meters, was built to honor Lord Buddha and contains numerous significant Buddhist artifacts.
The scattered remains of Lord Buddha are present in a sacred burial mound.
The Ashoka Pillar, Toranas, ornate gateways with intricate carvings, and other remains illustrate the Buddhist culture and date back to the third century BCE.
Pilgrims from all over the world visit these famous Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
3. Gwalior Fort
| Location | Gwalior |
| Constructed in | 6th century CE |
| Timings | 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 75 per person for Indians Rs. 250 per person for Foreigners* |
The Gwalior Fort is one of the most impenetrable fortresses in Central India. It was referred to as the pearl among fortresses in India by the Mughal emperor Babur.
A local king named Suraj Sen is said to have built this massive fort in the third century after he was cured of leprosy by a sage named Gwalipa.
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The grateful king constructed the fort and gave it the name of the saint, Gwalipa, from whom the word “Gwalior” originated.
It is a must-visit location in Madhya Pradesh due to its beautiful architecture and pristine location. This imposing structure, located on top of a rocky mountain close to Gwalior, dominates the entire city.
Surrounded by concrete walls of sandstone, it encloses six palaces, several water tanks, and three temples.
The Gwalior Fort hosts a spectacular sound and light show every evening in the Amphitheater of the Man Mandir.
4. Jai Vilas Palace
| Location | Gwalior |
| Constructed in | 1874 |
| Timings | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 150 per person for Indians Rs. 800 per person for Foreigners* |
The Jai Vilas Palace, also known as the Jai Vilas Mahal, symbolizes wealth and is a historical Indian monument in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
Jayaji Rao Scindia, the then Maharaja of Gwalior, constructed this magnificent building to welcome King Edward VII, the then Prince of Wales, in 1874.
The royal design of the palace reflects the colonial era and highlights the significance of British influence on India. Sir Michael Filose (Mukhel Sahib) designed this palace with European architecture.
There are plenty of amazing things to see in this palace.
While touring through the grand palace, you can explore the museum, Chitragada Art Gallery, a stunning collection of royal swords, colossal chandeliers, the Durbar Hall, and gilt furnishings.
So set out to see this palace with enough time in your hand to admire its beauty.
Today it serves as the residence of the descendants of the royal Maratha Scindia Family.
5. Lal Bagh Palace
| Location | Indore |
| Constructed in | 1926 |
| Timings | 10 AM to 5 PM |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 10 per person* |
The Lal Bagh Palace, built by Tukoji Rao Holkar in 1886, symbolizes elegance and grandeur in Indian History. It is located 3.2 kilometers from the center of the city. It occupies an area of 28 acres and provides an insight into the lifestyle of the rulers of the Holka Dynasty.
The Lal Bagh palace is a magnificent example of architecture and once housed one of the best rose gardens in the nation.
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Even though Indore has its share of grandeur, you should prioritize visiting this historic monument in Madhya Pradesh.
The palace, which once stood on the banks of the River Khan, is now more of a museum. It exhibits exquisite artifacts of the Holkar dynasty and Maratha Empire.
The palace’s interiors are pretty impressive, with a myriad of Italian Marble columns and Belgium stained glass windows. Here you can see Italian-style paintings, greek mythological reliefs, grand chandeliers, and Persian carpets.
6. Jahaz Mahal
| Location | Sulibardi |
| Constructed in | 15th century CE |
| Timings | 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 5 per person for Indians Rs. 100 per person for Foreigners* |
The architecture and structure of the Jahaaz Mahal are awe-inspiring and represent medieval engineering marvels. The terms ‘Jahaz’ and ‘Mahal’ refer to a massive ship and a palace, respectively, and reflect the name itself.
A mix of Afghan, Mughal, Hindu, and Mesopotamian architectural styles, is found here. It was meticulously built with acoustic water supply patterns, subtly reflecting the pond that overlooks the palace.
It got constructed during the reign of Mandu Sultan Ghiyas-Ud-Din Khilji in the second half of the 15th century to house the women of the royal consortium. The balconies were in such a way that sound gets amplified and spread throughout the entire structure of Jahaz Mahal.
It is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city due to its intricate carvings, precise engineering design, and pristine beauty, as well as its proximity to other tourist attractions such as Roopmati’s Pavilion, Baz Bahadur’s Palace, Hindola Mahal, Jain Temple, and Jami Masjid.
7. Rani Mahal
| Location | Jhansi |
| Constructed in | 1893 |
| Timings | 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 25 per person* |
Raghunath II Newalkar built the Queen’s Palace, also known as the Rani Mahal. This former residence of the Rani of Jhansi is now a museum displaying a collection of archaeological remains from the 9th to 12th century CE.
A large part of this beautiful palace got destroyed during the Indian Rebellion. You can visit this palace and the magnificent Durbar Hall, which still retains its former grandeur.
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The palace’s ground floor houses stone sculptures dating from the Gupta to the Medieval periods. They got collected from Madanpur, Barua Sagar, Dudhai, and Chandpur. The fascinating architecture of the Rani Mahal makes this place a unique destination in Madhya Pradesh.
These are some of the famous historical monuments to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh should be at the top of the list while planning a heritage vacation. You will come across many sites that will amaze you with their historical tales and superb architecture.
*Ticket prices mentioned are subject to change.
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