Indian Forts and Palaces

You may click on each picture for an enlarged version.

The facade is imposing even from a distance. Red Fort, Delhi.

In Mughal times, these pools and channels would have cooled the palaces. Red Fort, Delhi.

The Mauryan pillar standing high among the ruins of Tughlaq dynasty. Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.

History is written on the stones of this gateway. Purana Qila, Delhi.

Lights come on at sunset at the Bahu Fort. Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir.

Amar Mahal is not the typical Indian palace and its architecture betrays European influence. Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir.

A tower at the intersection of modern roads catches the setting sun. Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

Arch netting and perspectives in a palace building inside the fort. Golconda, Andhra Pradesh.

Newly excavated ruins of perhaps an old palace. Gaur, West Bengal.

One of many surviving gateways of the Kakatiyas. Warangal, Andhra Pradesh.

The tall castle of stone and timber. Gondhla, Himachal Pradesh.

A colourful gateway to palace grounds. Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.

Perhaps a place of prayer and offering at the capital of ancient Sikkim. Rabadense, Sikkim.

Ram Raja Temple was originally a palace. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh.

Jehangir Mahal, built specifically for a visit by the Mughal emperor. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh.

Raja Mahal has a certain simplicity and austerity about it. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh.

The palace of the famous Jhansi-ki-Rani. Jhansi, Madhya Pradesh.

The old palace of Leh stands high on a hill in the background. Leh, Jammu & Kashmir.

Beautiful stone jali screens are decorative elements in many Indian palaces. Datia, Madhya Pradesh.

A wonderful abandoned palace with emphasis on symmetry. Datia, Madhya Pradesh.

The palaces stand beautifully above rocky foundations and fort walls. Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

Peacock brackets are one of the wonders of these palaces. Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

A rare peek at palace interiors at the Jai Vilas Palace of the Scindias. Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

Monasteries of the Himalayan region are often imposing in scale to rival any palace. Hemis, Jammu & Kashmir.

A palace under restoration. Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh.

Ruins of buildings inside the fort. Raisen, Madhya Pradesh.

The empty Hindola Mahal offers a perspective of its pointed arches. Mandu, Madhya Pradesh.

Ruined gateways. Champaner, Gujarat.

Stones standing in arches without use of mortar. Pavagadh, Gujarat.

The Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery has a palatial appearance. Vadodara, Gujarat.

A solitary peacock stands on crumbling fort walls on a rainy day. Chapora, Goa.

The old fort walls are covered with a fine layer of moss. Bekal, Kerala.

School children walk past a backdrop of ruined palaces with superb jharokhas. Bhuj, Gujarat.

Entrance through the gateway at the fort. Junagadh, Gujarat.

The Shaktan Thampuran Palace is today a modest museum. Thrissur, Kerala.

The exotic Portuguese gateway at the old fort. Daman, Daman & Diu.

The palace is unimpressive on the outside but has superb wall murals on the inside. Mattancherry, Kerala.

The facade of Napier Museum in Indo-Sarcenic architecture looks almost a palace. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The iron gates are prepared for an attack anytime. Pune, Maharashtra.

The fort at Worli survives in sparse elements where villagers dry their clothes. Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Wonderful stucco work of an obviously restored palace. Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

The merchant houses of Chettinad region are as good as palaces. Kanadukathan, Tamil Nadu.

An old granary with three storage spaces on the inside. Gingee, Tamil Nadu.

Remains of old horse stables. Gingee, Tamil Nadu.

Some of the buildings lining the ghats of the Ganges are like palaces. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The gateway into the fort across the Ganges from Varanasi. Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Bastion and fort ramparts. Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Courtyards and terraces in white marble. Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

Inlay of marble and semi-precious stones in one of the palaces. Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

Spectacular serpentine brackets. Fatehpuri Sikri, Uttar Pradesh.

The famous Hawa Mahal from the inside. Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Palaces in Indian architecture have lots of open spaces, terraces, balconies and windows. Amber, Rajasthan.

Details of mirror and glasswork pack the walls and ceiling. Amber, Rajasthan.

Visitors strolling through marble corridors. Amber, Rajasthan.

Wall paintings are common decorations in palaces. Bundi, Rajasthan.

Remains of a hunting lodge are today a favourite haunt of monkeys. Bundi, Rajasthan.

Pilgrims visit a temple while fort walls tower high. Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

An airy terrace high up at the City Palace gives open views of the entire city. Udaipur, Rajasthan.

A beautifully decorated entrance leading into the fort. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

The havelis of Jaisalmer have no match in all of India. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

A silver howdah on display in one of the visitor galleries. Mehrangarh, Rajasthan.

The Jal Mahal, once surrounded by water, stands today in a drier landscape. Narnaul, Haryana.

Remains of a fort on a hill. Agroha, Haryana.

The massive bastions at the entrance into the fort. Bathinda, Punjab.

The fort here has been closed for visitors for sometime now. Faridkot, Punjab.

Old palace buildings are today used by government offices. Kapurtala, Punjab.

One of many palace pavilions in the famous Mughal gardens. Pinjore, Haryana.

The bastions at the fort are impressive. Patiala, Punjab.

Within the old fort are unique stone sculptures of a lost dynasty. Dimapur, Nagaland.

The old fort stands amidst spectacular greenery. Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.