India’s glorious past is reflected in its ancient shrines, forts, palaces, and colonial monuments. The country is blessed with an incredible wealth of built heritage. Some monuments have also been built by women, who have left their footprints on the sands of time. By Karan Kaushik
8 Indian monuments built by women
Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal
View this post on Instagram
Pattadakal served as the second capital and the coronation town of the Chalukyas. A prime attraction here is the 8th-century CE Virupaksha Temple. It was built by Lokamahadevi, the chief queen of Vikramaditya II, to celebrate victory over the Pallavas at Kanchipuram. The front porch of the grand temple features an imposing Nandi statue. The pillared halls of the temple boast impressive panels that depict scenes from Hindu mythology. Trilokamahadevi, another queen of Vikramaditya II, built the Trilokeshwara Temple, also famous as the Mallikarjuna Temple.
Itimad-ud-Daulah, Agra
View this post on Instagram
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula sits like a beautiful ivory jewel case on the banks of the river Yamuna. The construction of the tomb was done by Mughal empress Nur Jahan. The tomb was initially supposed to be built in silver, but Nur Jahan anticipated theft and built it in marble. What makes the monument iconic is that it marked the departure of the red sandstone architecture and gave way to the more elegant marble.
Rani Ki Vav, Patan
View this post on Instagram
The 11th-century Rani Ki Vav in Patan is among Gujarat’s most beautiful stepwells. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stepwell was built by Queen Udayamati in the memory of her beloved husband, King Bhimdev I. The stepwell stands on the banks of the Saraswati River as a fine specimen of the Maru-Gurjara style of architecture. The deeper you go, the greater the sculptural detail. What’s interesting about the stepwell is that it has been designed in the form of an inverted temple, which is divided into seven levels.
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi
View this post on Instagram
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the noted Humayun’s Tomb was commissioned by Mughal empress Hamida Banu Begum after her husband Humayun’s demise. It is the first among the famous garden tombs of the Mughals. Placed on an imposingly high platform, the tomb features a classic onion-shaped dome. The tomb complex also features other buildings like Arab ki Sarai, Tomb of Isa Khan, Nai ka Gumbad, and Nili Gumbad.
Mirjan Fort, Uttara Kannada
View this post on Instagram
Nestled on the banks of the Aghanashini River, the beautiful moss-covered Mirjan Fort was constructed by Queen Chennabhairadevi of Gersoppa. She was also famous as India’s pepper queen during the 16th century. The fort served as a location for shipping pepper, which was among the queen’s primary businesses. Queen Chennabhairadevi hailed from the Tuluva-Saluva clan and ruled as the queen of Gersoppa for a long period of 54 years. The fort has been witness to several furious battles and is famous for its architectural beauty.
Lal Darwaza Masjid, Jaunpur
View this post on Instagram
If you ever get a chance, do visit the small and popular town of Uttar Pradesh, Jaunpur. The city is known for its rich architectural wealth. One of the prime attractions here is the stunning and elegantly-designed Lal Darwaza Masjid. It was constructed in 1573 by queen Rajye Bibi as a tribute to her spiritual teacher Saint Sayyid Ali Dawood Kutubuddin. She was married to Sultan Mahmud Sharqi. Right next to the mosque, you will see an old school called Jamia Husainia. It was constructed to propagate religious teachings among students. The Lal Darwaza mosque, as its name suggests features a large vermilion-painted entrance, similar to the queen’s private royal palace.
Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata
View this post on Instagram
One of the most revered temples of India, Kolkata’s Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir was built by Rani Rashmoni. She was a philanthropist who gained immense popularity among locals for raising her voice against ill-practices like Sati and child marriage. Rashmoni acquired 20 acres of land in 1857 and built the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple in the typical Bengali architectural style. The temple houses an impressive idol of Bhavatarini, an aspect of Goddess Kali. The iconic temple continues to draw pilgrims in droves throughout the year.
Shri Mohinishwara Shivalay, Gulmarg
View this post on Instagram
The iconic Shiva Temple that blesses the lush alpine meadows of Gulmarg is called Shri Mohinishwara Shivalay. Also known as Rani ji Temple or Maharani Shankar Temple, the monument dates to 1915. Its construction was done by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia, Maharaja Hari Singh’s wife. The temple features a bright red roof and stands as a landmark against snowcapped peaks. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has been featured in a lot of Hindi movies, including the iconic song Jai Jai Shiv Shankar from the movie Aapki Kasam, which starred superstars Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz.
