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History

Delve into the fascinating history of India – and find a country full of captivating stories. Blogger Siddhartha Joshi shares his best historical tips below to help you get inspired for a trip of a lifetime.

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Blogger Siddhartha Joshi shares his best historical tips

By Siddartha Joshi

Delve into the fascinating history of India – and find a country full of captivating stories. Blogger Siddhartha Joshi shares his best historical tips below to help you get inspired for a trip of a lifetime.

By Siddartha Joshi

“With enough intrigue, drama and fascination to fill a hundred best-selling novels, the true history of India is even more interesting than you might have guessed.”

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Mahabalipuram

The story of Mahabalipuram as we know it today begins in the 7th century during the reign of the mighty Pallavas, who ruled from Kanchi near Chennai. Mahabalipuram was already a well-known port and was written about in the Greek empire. The present-day name itself is derived from Mamallapuram, of the city of Mamalla.

Today Mahabaliuram is one of the most important places to learn about the evolution of Hindu temple architecture. Located close to Chennai, the place is easily accessible and can be explored on foot. Some of the most well-known temples to explore here include the iconic Pancha Ratha and the impressive rock carving – Arjuna’s Penance/Descent of the Ganges – which features a moving scene from Mahabharata.

Hampi

My visit to Hampi was so special that it’s tough to put it into words. Every morning, I woke up to the most beautiful sunrises one can imagine, gaining the best views by climbing up a hill to see the ruins on one side and the glowing Tungabhadra River on the other side.

Located in the southern state of Karnataka, the group of monuments now form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular destination to explore the history dating back to the 14th century. Be sure to visit Virupaksha temple, a perfect place to start the day with the morning prayers at dawn. The stone chariot at Vitthala temple truly exemplifies the grandeur and prosperity of this city, as it existed centuries ago and is a sight of wonder.

@im_sagar95
@pin.the.maps
@anantramdubey
@_piyushpaul_

Lucknow

Lucknow is a city deeply steeped in history and a stroll through the old quarters reveal secrets that surprise even local residents. Also known as the city of Nawabs, Lucknow was built by noblemen who were originally meant to manage the region under the Mughals, but eventually became kings themselves.

One of the best ways to explore the city and its illustrious history is on foot or by joining the experts on a guided walking tour: start at sunrise at the Bara Imambara and then move onto the heritage street and explore marvellous old buildings, ponds and mosques. Don’t miss out on a walk through the old town and bazaars, which haven’t changed much in the last hundred years.

Delhi

Delhi has traditionally been a major city in India. From the early Hindu kings to the Sultans and Mughal Emperors then finally the British, the city has grown and flourished under each dynasty. Each of these eras introduced something new to the city, yet the original flavour of the city - a city with a big heart - has remained unchanged.

Rich in history, it can take days or even weeks before one gets to grips with how much Delhi has to offer. My favourite way of exploring tends to be early morning walks in the old city, especially the Chandni Chowk area. A walk through the lanes will take you to Jama Masjid which stands tall among the rather flat houses in the area. Apart from the mosques and forts, Delhi is also well known for some beautiful tombs. I would recommend a visit to Humayun’s Tomb and Safdarjung’s Tomb to start. If you’ve still got time, head over to Mehrauli Archaeological park and pay a visit to the iconic Qutub Minar.

@the.monk.in.black

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort is one of the world's largest fully preserved forts. Built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, the fort derives its name from two words - Jaisal and Meru. Jaisal came from the king himself and Meru is the name of an unassailable mythical mountain of the Gods in the Himalayas. Before the British came, Jaisalmer was part of the Silk Route and an important stop for travelers and merchants passing through.

Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with all the other hill forts of Rajasthan. It’s also known as the Golden Fort because of its yellow colour that glows like gold in the morning and evening. Some other spots to explore in Jaisalmer include historical forts across the desert, Patwon ki haveli and Gadisar Lake.

Looking for even more inspiration?

Looking for even more inspiration? Browse through photos and tips submitted by Instagram users to help you plan a journey around India like no other.

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@yogesh.manhas
Closed doors from the past.
@guyingreysneaks
Historical interactions
@allhad_nadi
"Endless history. If any of you love places with a deep history you will absolutely love this little village called Abhaneri that is at a distance of less than a 100kms from Jaipur. This is the Chand Baori, 65 feet deep and 13 floors."
@travelwithdanish
@rishabhpaliwal26
Panch kunda cenotaphs.
@rishabhpaliwal26
It was a dream.
@yogesh.manhas
The Wind Palace from the Window.
@mooretoexplore_
"Stomping through the City Palace of Jaipur! The colour pink is the colour of hospitality. In 1867, Maharajah Ram Singh painted the entire city in pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, giving Jaipur the name ‘The Pink City’ 🤙🏽"
@_the_wandering_sam_
"Bada Imambara! . Some pink to cheer up your night or morning depending upon when you see this :P"
@handheldtones
🌺🌺🌺

Thanks for all your submissions!

Click on the other articles below to explore more tips from Sid.

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