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Dynasties of India
Remnants of Royalty
India is indeed a diverse culture and it has been ruled over by many dynasties in the past. Many places in India like Rajasthan’s Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur are living examples of the country’s royal history. A visit to these places will reveal the lifestyle of the royals with their magnificent and sprawling palaces, havelis and forts. While in some places of the country, these palaces are kept intact and are protected as national properties, in other places, these palaces are converted into heritage hotels and contribute heavily to the country’s tourism industry.
Important Dynasties of the North
Of all the dynasties that ruled over the Northern part of India, a few deserve special mention. One of them is the Mughal dynasty. The Mughal dynasty left behind a huge legacy in the country, before they were finally defeated in a war. Marble architecture in India was introduced by the Mughals. This dynasty gave us the Taj Mahal, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World today built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The other important dynasty of North India was the Mauryan dynasty. At the time of its rule, this was the largest kingdom in the Indian continent.
Important Dynasties of the South
The Chola dynasty was one of the most important dynasties of South India. Their contribution to temple architecture is a phenomenal marvel. The Big Temple at Tanjore is an architectural marvel in stone and it was built by the great Chola King, Raja Raja Cholan. Pandya dynasty was another important dynasty that ruled over Madurai and it was during this time that the Meenakshi Amman temple was constructed here.
When the Dynasty Rule Came to an End
The monarchical rule in India that started as early as 1st century BC came to an end during the 18th century. This was the time when British East India Company took over control over various places. The British rule in India lasted from 18th century till 1947, when India finally attained Independence. Even today, many cities in India bear excellent examples of buildings built in British architectural patterns. The national capital of Delhi has a separate section called Lutyen’s Delhi. This was constructed by Britain’s Chief Engineer, Edward Lutyens. Though the monarchical rule ended, today, tourists can visit palaces with necessary permits and have a feel of how the royal princes and princesses lived. Many weapons, jewels, costumes, precious stones and other important antique items that were used by the kings and queens of yesteryears are preserved in various museums across India.