Monuments

Thali Building

Location

On the opposite bank of the Saraswati river, there is an architecturally interesting building, known as Thali building, built by Ahilyabai Holkar, queen of Indore, a famous Maratha queen who patronized many such building projects in all the important Hindu pilgrimage centres of India.

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Sikandar Shah's Tomb

Location

Sikandar Shah's Tomb is located in Halol, which is just few kilometres away from Champaner. He was the last ruler of Champaner and was assassinated in 1526 by Imad-ul-Mulk, Khusqadam. The dead body of Sikander Shah was buried at this tomb, which is a beautiful stone structure comprising a central chamber and entrance porches that feature fluted domes.

The tombs of Sikander Shah's brothers, Latifkhan and Nasirkhan, are also located here. The entire tomb is simple in appearance and is carved with floral and geometrical patterns on the finial, plinth base and the brackets.

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Bhima's Gateway

Location

This is one of the many gateways to the walled city. The gate (a huge arch complex) is interesting with its style of construction and the carvings on it.

This gateway is a classic example of the Vijayanagara military architecture. The gate got its name from the legendary Bhima of the Hindu epic Mahabaratha. A figure of Bhima – the strongest of the five Pandavas brothers – is carved on the gate.

The interesting feature of the gate is its smart design. One cannot cross this archway in a straight line. You enter this gateway complex through its western arch. Straight ahead is a huge tall block of a wall like structure. You turn right, left and then once again left to go around this obstruction to reach the exit at the north.

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Talarigatta Gate

Location

Talarigatta Gate was one of the main entrance points into the urban centre of the capital from the riverside. The main road to Talarigatta (the coracle ferry point near the suspension bridge) from Kamaplapura pass through this arched structure.

The Talarigatta Gate is an arched structure, close to which the coracle ferry passes. This was one of the most important entrances to the empire.

The gate is in a damaged condition. There is a small Hanuman temple close to it. The Talarigatta Gate was once used as a toll gate, during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. The whole fortification can be seen from the top of the gate.

This largely damaged structure still maintains its original intent, a gateway on the main road. A tiny shrine of Hanuman is located just in front of the gate.

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Shaheed Minar

Location

This 165 ft high monument similar to Qutab Minar of Delhi was erected by public subscription in 1828, to honour Sir David Ochter Lony, a one- time resident of Malwa & Rajputana. More recently, it has now been renamed 'Shaheed Minar' to honour the martyrs of the freedom struggle. An important landmark in Kolkata. It is located at the Northern end of the Maidan.

The Shaheed Minar or "Tower of the Martyrs", (originally Ochterlony Monument) was constructed on the northern fringe of the Maidan in honour of Sir David Ochterlony who commanded the British East India Company forces in the Gurkha War 1814-1816. It was renamed Shaheed Minar in honour of the fallen freedom fighters after Indian independence.

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Ananda Ranga Pillai Mansion

Location

Ananda Ranga Pillai was the celebrated dubash of Dupleix, the governor of Pondicherry while it flourished under French glory. Pillai's compilation of diaries serve as a storehouse of information on 18th century French India. His mansion, completed sometime in 1738, is one of the oldest surviving buildings on the west side - then known as "natives' quarters." Its architecture represents a curious mix of French and Indian styles.

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