India has some of the most stunning architecture in the world and these castles in India are the best in the country for you to see.
Many of these Indian castles are referred to as “forts” or “palaces” nowadays, but in reality, were castles centuries ago.
As they are mostly referred to in the “fort” sense now that’s what I will call them as well to avoid confusion. But they’re castles!
A lot of these castles in India are located in Rajasthan province.
Amber Fort
Let’s start this list with one of the best castles in India, Amber Fort. Also known as Amer Fort, or Amber Palace, is a very impressive architectural place to visit in the country. Its architecture is a mix of Mughal and Hindu styles.
Located in Rajasthan, the original fortification on the site was built in the late 10th-century by Raja Alan Singh Meena, but in 1592 new structure was added over the old by Raja Man Singh.
Amber Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open for visitors every day.
Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort overlooks Amber Fort from the mountain behind it. It’s basically Amer Fort’s little brother, so to speak.
The two are actually connected by an underground tunnel that was built so the royal members residing in Amber Fort could escape to Jaigarh Fort if under attack as it was a more defensible place to shelter in.
The fort was built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh II to add defences in the area of Amber Fort. One of the largest canons in the world is located in Jaigarh, the Jaivana canon.
When you get to the top of the fort you will have excellent views of Jaipur, Maota Lake, and Sagar Lake.
It’s open for visitors.
Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the most impressive castles in India. As you get closer to the city of Jaisalmer driving by car the fortress looms out of the desert.
The fort at Jaisalmer was my first experience of an Indian fort and the place was beyond what I expected.
As far as castles in India go, make sure to head to Rajasthan.
Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort is located on a cliff 400 feet above the city of Jodhpur and is one of the best castles in India to visit. It dates back to 1459 when a local Rajput ruler called Rao Jodha built it.
There are some very interesting facts about Mehrangarh Fort, such as a famous haunted story. It has been known as the “Citadel of the Sun.”
It’s open for visitors.
Red Fort
The Red Fort is one of the most iconic architectural images in the country and one of the most famous castles in India.
Located in the capital Delhi construction on it started in 1638 under the orders of Emperor Shah Jahan.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open for visitors.
Gwalior Fort
Gwalior Fort is located in Madhya Pradesh and although there is not an exact date of its construction, it definitely existed from the 10th-century onwards.
It’s open for visitors.
Agra Fort
The Taj Mahal gets all the glory, and for good reason, but the nearby Agra Fort is also worth a look. It dates back to the early 16th-century when it was used as a residence by the Mughal rulers until 1638 when they moved to Red Fort in Delhi.
It’s open for visitors.
Bidar Fort
Bidar Fort is located in Karnataka state and although the original old fort is gone the one you see today was built on top of it in the 15th-century.
It’s open for visitors.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh Fort, also known as the Mewer Fortress, is another epic castle in Rajasthan located near the city of Udaipur in the Aravalli Hills and was built in the 15th-century.
It’s famous for its fortress wall which is 36km in length, making it the second-largest wall in the world after the Great Wall in China.
It’s open for visitors.
Junagarh Fort
Junagarh Fort is located in Bikaner, a city in Rajasthan amongst the Thar Desert, and was built in the late 16th-century by Raja Rai Singh.
It’s open for visitors.
Golconda Fort
Golconda Fort is located in Hyderabad and most of what you see today was built during the 16th-century having expanded on other fortifications in the area.
It’s open for visitors.
Orchha Fort Complex
Orchha Fort is a huge complex consisting of a fort, place, and other buildings, located in Madhya Pradesh. The complex was started in the 16th-century by the Bundela Rajputs.
It’s open for visitors.
Bhangarh Fort
Bhangarh Fort is another one ofthe castles in India located in Rajasthan and was built in the 16th-century.
It’s open for visitors.
Neemrana Fort-Palace
Neemrana Fort-Palace is today a luxury hotel located in the Aravalli hills of Rajasthan (yes Rajasthan again), and dates back over 500 years.
It’s open for having a look around parts of it, but to really enjoy the place you should book a room for a night or two.
You can book a room at Neemrana Fort Palace here.
Chittorgarh Fort
Chittorgarh Fort is huge and is in fact one of the largest castles in India. Although there is not an exact date on its heritage it was definitely around in the 8th-century in some form and expanded on over later centuries into what you see now.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open for visitors.
Castles In India
If you have any interest in Indian history and historic places then you should go to at least one of these castles in India when there.
If you have an interest in historical places in India then the temples of Khujaraho are some of the best temples in Asia to visit.
For more on travel in India have a look at my guides to India.
I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.
Share the historic castles in India:
