India’s landscape is dotted with innumerable forts that still speak of India’s inviolable history narrating countless stories of loss and victory etched in rocks. These imposing and intricate forts hold some of India’s most enviable narratives and not only do they stand as un-breached bastions but also tell the tale of craftsmanship and planning that is not only invincible but also breathtakingly beautiful.

Amer Fort, Jaipur

Clad in pink and yellow sandstone, overlooking the silent blue waters of Maotha Lake, stands the indomitable Amer Fort or Amber Fort, a testament to the royalty of the warrior clans, the Rajputs. Strategically poised amidst the Kalikho hills formed by the Aravalli ranges and mirrored on the still waters of Maotha Lake in front, this fort is among the oldest forts in India. The brilliant artistry and use of hydrology to air-condition the fort, along with its aesthetic appeal, especially in the Sheesh Mahal, and many other features, paved the way for it to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. It is considered one of the most famous Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Known to be the cynosure of all tourists who visit Rajasthan, Amer Fort in Jaipur is open both during the day and in the late evening with a special light and sound show depicting its rich history. With all its splendour, Amer Fort is easily India’s most majestic fort in every way.

Red Fort, Delhi

Built by the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century, Lal Qila or the Red Fort is among the famous forts of India where India’s tricolour flutters with pride and grandeur. The stunning sandstone structure, carved in the signature Mughal style, is surrounded by a 75-foot wall, making it one of the most indomitable fortresses in the world. The rows of pavilions fed with a continuous water channel enclosed within intricate architecture not only showcase immaculate planning but also the craftsmanship at the zenith of the Mughal dynasty in India. The burnished red sandstone used in the making of the fort makes it one of the most recognizable structures in India’s capital city, Delhi. Filled with halls, palaces, and lush pristine gardens, the Red Fort is one of the major tourist attractions in India. The stunning architectural splendour, especially in the Diwan-i-Khas or the Shah Mahal where the council of ministers met, alongside the Diwan-i-Aam where the emperor gave an audience, is both majestic and provides insight into the artistry that went into the crafting of the greatest fort of India. As a perfect sundowner event every day, a state-of-the-art light and sound show is organized that tells the tale of how India could transform invaders into settlers, something that only India can do.

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

The skyline of Jodhpur is dominated by the imposing and formidable hundred-foot-high bastion of power, beauty, and regality called Mehrangarh Fort. Situated on a hilltop about 400 feet above the city, with 120-foot-high walls of burnished sandstone enclosing this citadel, the fort displays architectural evolution over the 500 years it took to be built. Commissioned by Rao Jodha in 1459, this fort is the benchmark of Rajputana history in its formidable proportions. The sandstone steps leading up to the fort still resonate with the sound of a victorious army after warfare with flowers being showered on them from windows overlooking them, taking visitors back to the most glorious time in Indian history. Traditional music, sung with brazen pride, reverberates through the entire fort as visitors walk through the palaces like Sheesh Mahal (the Palace of Mirrors), Phool Mahal (Palace of Flowers), Jhanki Mahal, Dipak Mahal, and Moti Mahal (the Pearl Palace). From chandeliers of Belgian glass to intricate lattice windows, handcrafted ivory, lacquer, wood, and paintings depicting the era, Mehrangarh Fort is a must-visit. Described famously by Rudyard Kipling as “A palace that might have been built by Titans and coloured by the morning sun,” Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is undoubtedly not only one of the strongest but also among the best forts in India.

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad

Poised at a height of 400 feet with majestic walls that scale up to 12 metres in height, the Golconda Fort is situated just 11 kilometres away from the bustling city centre of Hyderabad. The Golconda Fort is the biggest fort in India with 8 entrances and 87 citadels and the unique acoustic signalling device that functions to transmit signals to nooks and crannies where sepoys would be deployed. The 8 entrances, Bala Hissar Darwaza, Fateh Darwaza, Banjara Darwaza, Moti Darwaza, Patancheru Darwaza, Mecca Darwaza and Yali Darwaza, are made of solid teak wood and allow for the passage of elephants, thus showcasing its gigantic proportions. The Golconda Fort was also surrounded by mines where diamonds were found, and it is the place where some of the most famous diamonds were unearthed, namely the Kohinoor, The Blue Hope, The White Regent, and The Dresden Green, among many others. Moreover, the top four pink diamonds in the world were also obtained from the surrounding mines. For the multitudes of tourists that throng to visit the Golconda Fort every year, there is a wonderful light and sound show in the historic fort premises, which forms the epicentre of attraction. The ruggedness of the fort along with its robust structure is an architectural marvel.

Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer

Rising up from the sand dunes of the Thar Desert, one of India’s most arid lands, the Jaisalmer Fort is a resplendent structure that towers over the landscape with a beauty that is unmatched. As the yellow sandstone shines in the bright sun, the Rajputana architectural masterpiece glistens, earning it the name “The Golden Fort”. The only living fortress in the country, the Jaisalmer Fort among the most famous forts in India, is strategically poised on the summit of the Trikuta Hills with a fine blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture that has mesmerized tourists for centuries. The soft mellow sun at dawn kisses the Suraj Pole, turning it into a shimmering golden edifice, and right through the day, the sun keeps on painting all hues on the formidable structure. Being 1500 feet long, 750 feet wide, and built on a hill with a height of 250 feet in the Thar desert, this fort is the perfect ode to the valour and dominance of the Rajputs. With four entrances; Hawa Pole, Akshay Pole, Suraj Pole and Ganesha Pole, this living citadel is captivating with all the life it holds within itself. The Raja ka Mahal Palace (Maharwal Palace), Rani ka Mahal Palace, Seven Jain Temples, and Lakshminath Temple all depict the beauty and craftsmanship of the artisans.