Places you must visit in Indore if you have an eye for great architecture

Madhya Pradesh has had various rulers throughout history. Every ruler has left great architectural marvels behind as a reminder of their rule. Indore has it's fair share of historical buildings which are both extravagant and intricate. After all, what is a ruler without any extravagance? Most of these monuments are credited to the Holkar dynasty.

The city’s administration has also come up with beautifully constructed structures over the years, reminiscent of the past. Let’s take a look at places in Indore that you can visit to appreciate their architectural beauty.

Constructed by the British, this building is the embodiment of Indian architecture. The structure was designed in the early 1900s by Col. Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob who is known to design Jaipur’s Albert Hall Museum. The main building of this school is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It has been used as a college backdrop in a number of Bollywood films.

Lal Bagh Palace has an air of Europe that takes you back in time. Construction started in the late 1800s and finished in 1926. The outside of the palace is adorned with ethereal rose gardens. Moreover, the gates of the palace were imported from London. They are also known to be replicas of the gates at Buckingham Palace. Standing amidst the Georgian style furniture and under the ceiling decorated with Renaissance paintings is enough to make you feel royal.

Gandhi Hall was built in 1904 by Architect Charles Frederick Stevens. This town hall is now used as a popular venue for art exhibitions and other events. This gargantuan red, Gothic-style building was constructed using red stone from Patan and Seoni stone on the outside. It also features a massive clock tower in the middle, which is iconic in Indore.

Unlike the name suggests, Phooti Kothi is not damaged but is simply incomplete. The magnificent pillars and arches here are carved in red sand stone. Construction for this ceiling-less wonder took off in 1886 and stopped in 1902. Built under the rule of king Shivaji Rao Holkar, Phooti Kothi was a line of defence for the then army. The Holkars used the structure to attack the British cantonment in Mhow.

This iridescent building is a Jain mandir that was built in the early 20th century by Sir Seth Hukumchand Jain. Skilled workers from Jaipur and Iran were behind the construction of this magnificent temple of glass. The structure is covered in glass and mosaics from top to bottom. Needless to say, it has a constant shine that is hard to miss.

Before the massive campus was constructed, IIM Indore operated out of the Government Poly-technique College in Rajendra Nagar. The current campus, however, is a sight to behold, the green trimmed grass and pristine building make it feel like a dream college out of the movies. The campus is planned in a way that the buildings are arranged in a circle. This peculiarity makes for great panoramic shots from drones.

This modern marvel is an urban haven. Built in 2003, the park is something locals turn to when they seek relaxation outdoors. Many upgrades have been made in the park over the years including beautiful walkways, lights, open amphitheatres, an artisan village, and easily distinguishable Mughal and French gardens. The 122 acres of the park include a massive 88-acre lake that people like to sit by and relax.

Some special mentions will include the very popular Rajawada palace, Annapurna temple, White Church, etc. You can also see more of Holkar architecture in and around the city at various chhatris, Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar, etc. What other great architectures can you think of in Indore?