Journey through the cities, capitals, and sacred places that shaped Indian civilization
Amritsar, founded in 1574 by Guru Ram Das, is Punjab's spiritual heart and home to the Golden Temple, a major center of Sikh heritage and Indian history.
Sacred pilgrimage city on the Sarayu River, administrative capital of Ayodhya division, and top tourist destination of Uttar Pradesh with 110 million visitors.
Bodh Gaya in Bihar is the sacred site where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, venerated since the Mauryan period.
Delhi, India's capital, served as the seat of power for major empires including the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and modern India since 1214 CE.
Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's magnificent capital from 1571-1585, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing exceptional Mughal architecture near Agra.
Golconda Fort, a majestic 11th-century citadel near Hyderabad, was capital of the Golconda Sultanate and center of the legendary diamond trade.
Ancient capital of Vijayanagara Empire, UNESCO World Heritage Site with magnificent temple ruins, mentioned in Ramayana as Pampa Devi Tirtha Kshetra.
Lahore, historic capital of Punjab, served as the seat of Mughal, Sikh, and British power. A cultural and political center with rich Indo-Islamic heritage.
Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu with over 2500 years of documented history, known as the city that never sleeps on the banks of River Vaigai.
Mathura, a sacred city in Uttar Pradesh, is revered as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and was a major cultural and economic hub since 1100 BCE.
Nalanda was a renowned Buddhist mahavihara and ancient learning center in Magadha that operated for nearly a millennium, from 427 CE to 1400 CE.
Historic town in Madhya Pradesh founded by Bundela Rajputs in 16th century, known for its magnificent palaces and temples along the Betwa River.
Pataliputra, modern Patna, was the magnificent capital of ancient Indian empires including the Mauryas and Guptas, founded in 490 BCE by Ajatashatru.
Sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site near Varanasi where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment, marking the beginning of Buddhist teaching.
Taxila (Takshashila), founded c. 1000 BCE, was one of ancient South Asia's most important centers of learning, Buddhism, and Gandharan civilization in present-day Pakistan.
Ancient city in Tamil Nadu that served as the magnificent capital of the Chola Empire, renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage temples and cultural heritage.
Ujjain, ancient Ujjayini, is one of India's seven sacred cities, home to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and the Kumbh Mela, with a history spanning over 2,700 years.
Varanasi (Kashi) is one of the world's oldest living cities, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage center on the Ganges known for its ghats, temples, and spiritual significance.
Vijayanagara, the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire on the Tungabhadra River, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Hampi.
Agra, founded by Sikandar II, is a historic city on the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh, famous for its Mughal heritage and cultural significance.
Historic city in Karnataka renowned for magnificent Adil Shahi monuments including the Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, and other architectural masterpieces from medieval India.
Discover Dandi, the Gujarat coastal village that became the symbolic destination of Mahatma Gandhi's 1930 Salt March, a pivotal moment in India's freedom struggle against British colonial salt laws.
Explore Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, the tragic site of the 1919 massacre where British troops killed hundreds of peaceful Indian protesters, a turning point in India's freedom struggle.
Kannauj, known as Kanyakubja in ancient times, served as capital of the Panchala Kingdom and Kingdom of Kannauj, a major power center in medieval India.
Mandu, an ancient fortress city in Madhya Pradesh, celebrated for its magnificent medieval architecture and strategic location on a rocky outcrop in the Malwa region.
Historic city in Maharashtra, established in 758 CE, known as the 'Oxford of the East' for its educational institutions and rich Maratha heritage.