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Amer Fort At a short distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, the Capital of Rajasthan State, the Amer Fort complex stands amidst wooded hills overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur highway, with its forbidding ramparts reflected in the still waters of the Maota Lake below. One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture, it was the ancient capital of the Kachhawah rulers. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh and additions were made later by Sawai Jai Singh. Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience" and the Sukh Niws where a cool breeze blows across channels of water for the purpose of air-conditioning. The private chambers of the queens have windows with latticed screens so that the ladies could watch the proceedings of the royal court in privacy. There is also the Jai Mandir or the "Temple of Victory", with its famous Sheesh Mahal, the scintillating "Hall of Mirrors".

Ajanta & Ellora Caves Beginning with the 2 nd  century B.C., and continuing into the 6 th  century A.D., the paintings and sculptures in the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, inspired by Buddhism and its compassionate ethos, unleashed a surge of artistic excellence unmatched in human history. These Buddhist and Jain caves are ornately carved, yet seem quiet and meditative and exude a divine energy and power. About 107 km from the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, are the rock-out caves of Ajanta nestled in a panoramic gorge, in the form of a gigantic horseshoe. A set of 29 caves, Ajanta is among the finest examples of some of the earliest Buddhist architecture, cave paintings and sculptures. These caves comprise Chaitya halls or shrines, dedicated to Lord Buddha and Viharas or monasteries, used by Buddhist monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings. The paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves depict incidents from the life of lord Buddha and vario...

Near the gardens of Taj Mahal stands the important 16th-century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of Agra. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-E-Am, Diwan-E-Khaas, Musamman Burj - where Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan died in 1666 A.D., Jahangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal and Sheesh Mahal. Agra Fort, an excellent example of Mughal architecture, is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565, when the initial structures were built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and subsequently taken over by his grandson Shah Jahan, who added most of the marble creations to the fort. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing t...

Monuments Agra Fort Ajanta & Ellora Caves Amer Fort Bahai Temple The Bara Imambara, Lucknow Basilica of Bom Jesus (Goa) Brhadisvara Temple - Thanjavur Charminar City Palace, Udaipur Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Chola Temples Churches and Convents of Goa Elephanta Caves Fatehpur Sikri Gateway of India Gingee Fort Golconda Fort Golden Temple Group of Monuments at Hampi Gwalior Fort Group of Monuments at Pattadakal Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram Hawa Mahal The Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithura (Kerala) India Gate Jaisalmer Fort Jama Masjid (Delhi) Jantar Mantar, Delhi Kamakhya Temple Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi Kye Monastery Humayun's Tomb Khajuraho Group of Monuments Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya Meenakshi Temple, Madurai Mehrangarh Fort The Mysore Palace Nalanda Purana Quila (Old Fort) Qutub Minar Rashtrapati Bhavan Red Fort, Delhi Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Se´ Cathedral Sheesh Mahal Sikandra Fort Sun Te...

With the commencement of the 7 th  century, Harshavardhana (606-647 A.D.) ascended the throne of  Thaneshwar and Kannauj on the death of his brother, Rajyavardhana. By 612 Harshavardhana  consolidated his kingdom in northern India. In 620 A.D. Harshavardhana invaded the Chalukya kingdom in the Deccan, which was then ruled by  Pulakesin II. But the Chalukya resistance proved tough for Harshavardhana and he was defeated.  Harshavardhana is well known for his religious toleration, able administration and diplomatic relations. He maintained diplomatic relations with China and sent envoys, who exchanged  ideas of the Chinese rulers and developed their knowledge about each other. The Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, who visited India during his reign, has given a vivid description of  the social, economic and religious conditions, under the rule of Harsha spoke highly of the king.  Harsha's death, once again, left India without any central paramount powe...

Sher Shah Suri [Medieval History Of India] SUR DYNASTY or SUR Interregnum (1540-1555) Sher Shah’s Administration Sher Shah was the founder of Sur Dynasty. His original name was Farid. He was the son of Hasan Khan, a jagirdar of Sasaram in Bihar. He was given the title Sher Khan for his bravery under the Afghan Rule of Bihar. Sher Shah Sur (1486-1545) Sher Shah Sur’s conquests include Bundelkhand, Malwa, Multan, Punjab, and Sind. His empire occupied the whole of North India except Assam, Gujarat, Kashmir, and Nepal. Though his rule lasted for only 5 years, he has organized an excellent administrative system. The king was aided by four important ministers. Diwan –i- Wizarat or Wazir – in charge of Revenue and Finance Diwan-i-Ariz – in charge of Army Diwan-i-Rasalat – Foreign Minister Diwan-i-Insha – Minister for Communications Sher Shah’s empire was divided into forty-seven Sarkars Each sarkar was further divided into various Parganas and in charge of various officers. Shiqdar – Military...

 Akbar's Successors [Medieval History Of India ] Akbar's Successors: Jahangir (1605-1627), Shah Jahan (1627-1658), Aurangazeb (1658-1707) Jahangir (1605-1627) In 1605, Prince Salim succeeded with the title Jahangir (Conqueror of World) after the death of Akbar. He defeated and imprisoned his son, Khusrau Mirza.   He also beheaded Guru Arjun, the 5 th  Sikh Guru and one of the supporters of Khusrau Mirza. Nur Jahan In 1611, Jahangir married Mehrunnisa who was known as Nur Jahan (Light of World). Asaf Khan elder brother of Nur Jahan was appointed as Khan-i-Saman, a post reserved for the nobles. In 1612, Asaf Khan’s daughter, Arjumand Banu Begum (later known as Mumtaj), married Jahangir’s third son, Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan). Shah Jahan (1628-1658) Shah Jahan launched a continued war in the northwest frontier to recover Kandahar and other ancestral lands. His Deccan policy was more successful. He defeated the forces of Ahmadnagar and seized it. Both Bijapur and Golco...

Arab And Turkish Invasions [Medieval History Of India] Arab and Turkish Invasions Arab Invasion in India Muhammad-bin-Qasim Al-Hajjajj, the Governor of Iraq  sent Muhammad-bin-Qasim  to India He Conquered  Sind  with the permission of Caliph Walid Battle of Rewar Fought between Muhammad-bin-Qasim  and Dahir the ruler of Sind Dahir was defeated. Sind and Multan were captured. Muhammad-bin-Qasim  called Multan as ‘The City of Gold’   Administrative System Sind and Multan were divided into a number of Iqtas or districts by Muhammad-bin-Qasim and Arab military officers headed the Iqtas. The sub-divisions of the districts were administered by the local Hindu Officers. Jizya was imposed on non-Muslims.   Muhammad bin Qasim’s Army 25,000 troops with 6000 Camels, 6000 Syrian horses, 3000 Bactrian Camels and an artillery force with 2000 men, advanced guards, and five catapults. End of Muhammad-bin-Qasim Caliph Walid was succeeded by Caliph Sulaiman. He was...