Famous Indian Monuments and Their Builders (Complete GK Notes)
📖 Introduction
India is a land of ancient temples, forts, palaces, and monuments that showcase its glorious history and architecture. These monuments were built by kings, emperors, and rulers to reflect their power, devotion, or cultural pride. Knowing about famous Indian monuments and their builders is very important for Static GK and Competitive Exams.
| Monument | Location | Builder / Patron |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Mahal | Agra, Uttar Pradesh | Shah Jahan (Mughal Emperor) |
| Red Fort | Delhi | Shah Jahan |
| Qutub Minar | Delhi | Qutb-ud-din Aibak (started), Iltutmish (completed) |
| India Gate | Delhi | Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (British, 1931) |
| Gateway of India | Mumbai, Maharashtra | George Wittet (British, 1924) |
| Charminar | Hyderabad, Telangana | Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah |
| Gol Gumbaz | Bijapur, Karnataka | Mohammed Adil Shah |
| Sun Temple | Konark, Odisha | Narasimhadeva I (Eastern Ganga Dynasty) |
| Lingaraj Temple | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Somavamsi King Yayati Keshari |
| Jagannath Temple | Puri, Odisha | King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva |
| Meenakshi Temple | Madurai, Tamil Nadu | Nayaka Dynasty rulers |
| Brihadeeswara Temple | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu | Rajaraja Chola I |
| Hampi Monuments | Karnataka | Vijayanagara Empire |
| Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh | Akbar (Mughal Emperor) |
| Victoria Memorial | Kolkata, West Bengal | British, designed by William Emerson |
| Sanchi Stupa | Madhya Pradesh | Ashoka the Great (Maurya Empire) |
| Ellora Caves (Kailasa Temple) | Maharashtra | Rashtrakuta King Krishna I |
| Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra | Satavahana & Vakataka rulers (patronized Buddhist monks) |
| Khajuraho Temples | Madhya Pradesh | Chandela Dynasty rulers |
| Hawa Mahal | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh |
| Amer Fort | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Raja Man Singh I |
| Lotus Temple | Delhi | Fariborz Sahba (Baha’i House of Worship, 1986) |
📌 Quick Facts for Exams
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Taj Mahal → Shah Jahan (memory of Mumtaz Mahal).
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Sun Temple, Konark → Narasimhadeva I (Odisha).
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Sanchi Stupa → Ashoka the Great.
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Brihadeeswara Temple → Rajaraja Chola I.
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Hawa Mahal → Sawai Pratap Singh (Jaipur).
📝 Conclusion
India’s monuments are not just stone structures, but symbols of history, architecture, and culture. For exams, focus on who built which monument and its location. These are frequent GK questions in competitive exams.