India has a vast and vivid history, with all the different rulers who ruled it, and with their cultures, the history of India has become iconic and mesmerizing.
The people ruling us have long since departed from the face of the earth, but they’ve left us our heritage in the form of beautiful monuments reminding us of them. Mostly powerful men built buildings in the memory of their loved ones or to celebrate their victory over others. Many Indian monuments stand as memorials to women, either wives or mothers of emperors. But do you know about the architectural masterpieces that women built?
Indeed, Indian women also left their mark by building monuments, some of which are world heritage sites. Let’s discuss some iconic indian monuments built by women below.
1) Shree Mohinishwara Shivalaya:
Popularly known as Maharani Mandir or Rani ji Mandir, this small Shiva temple is perched atop a small hillock in the middle of Gulmarg. This temple was built by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia, daughter of Maharana Mohan Dev of Mewar and wife of the Kashmir king Hari Singh, in 1915. The queen built this temple as she was an ardent worshipper of Lord Shiva and thus wanted a royal temple to dedicate her hours praying to Lord Shiva.
The simple architecture often seems incredible to many, as this was supposed to be a royal temple, and the temple was built without any indication of royalty. The simple architecture depicts the humble lifestyle of Kashmiri people and their limited needs.
One needs to take a flight of stairs to reach the temple. There is a Shivalinga which is protected by a slanted red roof. The temple offers a beautiful view while completing the Parikrama (revolution around the temple, which is considered holy). You can see a snow-covered peak, and as you move, you see different green buildings, which are generally hotels for tourists.
2) Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir:
Rani Rashmoni was born in the Mahishya family in 1793 and was married to Babu Rajachandra Das at the age of 11. Her husband was a wealthy zamindar in Kolkata. After his death, she took over the Zamindari and fought many wars with the British who ruled from Kolkata. During her reign, she contributed to many philanthropic projects like building roads, ghats, libraries, etc. Her biggest contribution to the architecture of Kolkata though was the Dakshineswar Kali temple.
Legend is that while on a pilgrimage to Kashi, Rani Rashmoni had a dream of building a Kali temple. She soon started to search for appropriate land for this temple. Dakshineswar was on the bank of the river Ganga and the land was like a hump of a tortoise; this land was chosen to build the temple. The construction of the temple started in 1847 and was completed seven years later in 1855. 100,000 Brahmins from all over India were invited for the pran pratishtha (a pooja done by priests to establish the idol of gods in their rightful place) of Kali. Rani Rashmoni lived only for 5-6 years after the temple was built.
3) Humayun’s Tomb:
Bega Begum, also referred to as Haji Begum, was the spouse of Mughal Emperor Humayun. She commissioned the construction of the magnificent Humayun's Tomb in 1569, which inspired the architectural design of the Taj Mahal. Notably, the construction of Humayun's Tomb commenced 14 years after his death. It is believed that during this period, she was either planning the monument's design or gathering the necessary funds for its construction.
She hired Mirak Mirza Ghiyat, a Persian architect, to construct Humayun’s tomb. The structure is designed in the Char Bagh style, with the main building located at the crossroads of four gardens separated by various water channels, showcasing a clear Persian architectural influence. Indian architectural elements are also present in the form of Chhatris, which harmonize with the overall design of this perfectly symmetrical building.
This monument was recently restored by the Aga Khan Trust. Humayun’s Tomb is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Delhi, along with the Red Fort and Qutub Minar.
4) Itmad-Ud-Daula:
Mirza Ghiyas Beg, a destitute merchant from Persia, journeyed with his family to India and became a minister in Jehangir’s court. Jehangir fell in love with his widowed daughter and married her. This daughter was none other than Noorjehan, one of the most beautiful queens of India. After her father passed away in 1622, Noorjehan, the most influential empress of India, commissioned the construction of her father’s tomb. Later, her mother and siblings were also interred in this tomb.
This tomb is supposed to be the first all-marble monument in India, setting a trend for white marble. Till that time, mostly red sandstones were seen to be used in the buildings in Agra. The entrance gate is made of red sandstone, and also the platform on which the white tomb stands is red sandstone. There are both Persian and Indian influences in the architecture of this building. The arches and octagonal towers in the four corners of the tomb are the Persian elements. The absence of a dome and the presence of closed kiosks and canopies are Indian elements.
The building seems quite small, especially if you’re visiting it after visiting the Taj Mahal or Akbar’s Tomb, but the gardens are spread around in quite a lot of areas. In fact, the building looks like a jewel box in between the garden if you take an aerial view. Elements like flower vases and fruits, cypress trees, wine bottles, and fishes are painted on the walls of the monument. The ceilings on top of the tombs of Ghiyas Beg and his wife are ornate and painted in rich colors with generous use of golden color.
The outer walls are richly decorated with inlay works. Various stones like Carnelian, Jasper, Topaz, etc, have been set in marble using the pietra dura technique. You primarily see a white structure with a lot of floral and geometric patterns on it. This is interspersed with intricate jali or latticework in white marble. Inside the tomb, though, most walls are painted.
It is said that the building has a delicate and feminine charm to it, perhaps because it was built by a woman, and most other buildings in Agra or Delhi are built by men.
5) Rani ki vav:
Queen Udayamati, the wife of King Bhimdev I of Solanki, commissioned the construction of this stepwell in the late 11th century CE. While its main function was water management, it is believed that the queen intended to dedicate it to her deceased husband. Rani ki Vav served as an excellent way to ensure that people would remember her and her husband whenever they visited to collect water.
The stepwell has many ornately carved designs and sculptures. The most prominent sculptures on the side walls are those of Dashavtara (ten incarnations) of Lord Vishnu. Followed by the Solah Shringar figurines (sixteen elements of body decorations). There are some sculptures of Nagkanyas (snake-women) too. The deep well at the end of the structure can be viewed from the top of the structure. The well too has sculptures carved on its wall. An image of a lying Lord Vishnu on Shesha Shaiyya (bed made by Shesha Nag for Lord Vishnu) can be seen at the base of the well from the lowermost part of the stepwell.
Built in the Maru-Gurjara architectural style, Rani ki Vav draws numerous tourists as it represents the queen's profound and selfless love for her husband, along with her practical decision to construct a stepwell for her people rather than a lavish tomb. The stepwell not only aided her people during droughts but also served as a tribute to her deceased husband.
6) Chandni Chowk:
Chandni Chowk, which translates to "Moonlight Square," stands as a testament to the rich history and vibrant culture of Old Delhi, making it one of the oldest and busiest markets in the region. Established in 1650 by the illustrious Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who is also renowned for commissioning the Taj Mahal, this market was thoughtfully designed by his favored daughter, Jahanara Begum.
The original concept of Chandni Chowk was that of a grand square, featuring a series of canals that were ingeniously constructed to reflect the moonlight, creating a mesmerizing and enchanting atmosphere during the night, which is how it earned its poetic name. Although the canals that once adorned the square have been closed over the centuries due to urban development and changing needs of the city, the essence of Chandni Chowk as a vibrant marketplace has not diminished. Today, it remains a bustling hub of commerce, where vendors and shopkeepers sell a plethora of goods ranging from traditional Indian textiles, jewelry, and spices to contemporary electronics and street food, making it a sensory overload for visitors.
Jahanara Begum’s vision and architectural acumen are clearly evident in the elegant layout of Chandni Chowk, which was designed not only for commercial purposes but also as a social gathering space where people from various walks of life could come together. The market is flanked by historical landmarks, including the magnificent Red Fort and the iconic Jama Masjid.
7) Virupaksha Temple and Mallikarjuna Temple:
Pattadakal in Karnataka is often referred to as the laboratory of Indian Temple architecture. Pattadakal is a group of monuments situated in almost the center of Karnataka. Here you can find temples in both North Indian Nagar and South Indian Dravidian styles. These groups of monuments consist mainly of temples built by the Chalukyan Kings between 7th-9th CE. However, the two important temples here, The Virupaksha Temple and the Mallikarjuna Temple, are built by the two Queens of King Vikramaditya II.
Queen Lokmahadevi constructed the Virupaksha temple in the Dravidian style. It is believed that the Virupaksha temple drew inspiration from the Kailashnath Temple at Kanchipuram. Sometimes referred to as the Lokeshwar temple, it honors the Queen who built it. Queen Trilokmahadevi built the Mallikarjuna temple, which closely resembles the Virupaksha temple but is slightly smaller. These temples were erected by the queens to commemorate their husband Vikramaditya's victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. Many suggest this is why the temples are inspired by a Pallava temple.
8) Mirjan Fort:
Queen Chennabhairadevi of Gersoppa governed the areas along the Sharavathi River, southern Goa, Uttar Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, and Malabar for 54 years, marking the longest reign by any female ruler in India. The Portuguese dubbed her ‘Raina de Pimenta’ or ‘The Pepper Queen’ because she presided over regions renowned for producing superior pepper. She offered sanctuary to numerous artisans escaping conflicts in distant lands, and in gratitude, they assisted in constructing her a formidable fort, known as the Mirjan Fort.
Situated on the banks of the Aganashini River, Mirjan Fort is a robust and impressive structure encircled by a double layer of high walls and towering bastions. Located on the west coast of Uttara Kannada in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, the fort was the site of many battles due to its architectural splendor, attracting various rulers who sought to claim it. During her rule, the Queen not only defended her realm from the fort but also resided there. The fort is celebrated for its magnificence and opulence, and it retains its beauty even today.
If one visits the fort in the monsoon, the fort welcomes you with its lush green carpet! The fort offers a beautiful view of the western ghats and nearby mountains. A unique thing about Mirjan Fort is that it's built with mud bricks. Due to these mud bricks, moss and grass creep up from every nook and crevice of the fort, making this fort look like a palace of the forest god!
9) Lal Darwaja Masjid:
The Lal Darwaja Masjid (Mosque) was built by Bibi Raji, Queen of Sultan Mahmood Sharqi of Jaunpur in 1447. The Lal Darwaja Masjid is dedicated to Saint Sayyid Ali Dawood Kutubbudin, a Muslim saint of Jaunpur, to whom the Queen was devoted. It is built as almost a replica of the Atala Masjid. Atala Masjid was built by Ibrahim Shah Sharki in 1408, later it was considered the ideal for the construction of other Mosques.
The monument can be entered by three different gates situated in the north, east, and south of the monument. The eastern gate is built of red sandstone. The Mosque is also adjacent to the Lal Darwaja or the Ruby Gate of the Royal Palace of Queen Rajye Bibi, which is the reason why it is named Lal Darwaja Masjid.
The Mosque was built for the Queen as her private place to say her Namaz, which explains its small size and proximity to her palace. The Queen also founded the first schools for girls, during her husband’s reign. A Madrasa founded by her named Jamia Hussainia still stands near Lal Darwaja Masjid.
10) Khayr-Al Manzil:
Khayr-Al Manzil is an imposing two-storied structure that stands majestically opposite the historic Purana Qila in Delhi, a site rich in cultural heritage and architectural significance. This remarkable mosque was constructed in 1561 under the patronage of Maham Anga, who was not only a wet nurse of the Mughal Emperor Akbar but also a formidable figure in the Mughal court. Her influence extended far beyond the nursery; she played a pivotal role in the political landscape of the empire, even wielding considerable power during Akbar's formative years as he grew up to become one of the most celebrated emperors in Indian history.
The mosque itself is a testament to the architectural prowess of the time, featuring five elegantly designed high arches that lead into the expansive main prayer hall, which is adorned with exquisite inscriptions that reflect the artistic styles of the Mughal era. These inscriptions often include verses from the Quran and other significant texts, showcasing the spiritual and artistic dedication of the builders. However, the most striking feature of the mosque is undoubtedly its massive red sandstone gateway, which is intricately designed, with detailed carvings and motifs that capture the eye and invite visitors to explore the sacred space within.
11) Mahim Causeway:
Mahim Causeway was constructed by Lady Avabai Jamshedjee, the wife of renowned Parsi businessman Jamshedjee Jejeebhoy. She was a mother to many sons and longed for a daughter. She was informed that if she made a wish at Mary Mount Church on Bandra Island, it would be fulfilled. She took a boat to the church, but the journey was unpleasant, so she vowed that if her wish came true, no one would need to take a boat to the church. When her wish was granted, she kept her promise by commissioning a road connecting Bandra Island to mainland Bombay. This is how the Mahim Causeway into Mumbai was established. The Causeway became a crucial part of Mumbai's infrastructure, and Lady Avabai is still honored for her contribution to the city's development.
These were India’s 11 iconic monuments built by India’s incredible women. These monuments show the powerful and influential women of history, who helped in shaping our country. They also are a symbol of a woman’s love towards her husband, or father, or a Queen’s love for her people.
Author
Aayushi Wadale
Pratha Content Writer
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