Monuments of Varanasi are an important factor which lures tourist in large numbers to this holy city of India. All the monuments of the region have a class and a history of its own. The most notable monument of Varanasi is the Ramnagar Fort which reflects the blend of both Hindu and Muslim forms of architecture. In the town ample influences of Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and British styles can be witnessed amidst its architectural piece of work.

The Ramnagar Fort in Varanasi is made of red sandstone and shows a wonderful confluence of Hindu and Islamic Architecture. The temple which is located within the Ramnagar Fort is so beautiful in its architectural magnificence that it holds a prominent place among the monuments of Varanasi.

The Durbar Hall of the Ramnagar Palace is sumptuously decorated. The throne is made of sandalwood. Furniture made of gold and silver brocades, tiger skins, inlaid ivory, carpets and crystal chandeliers create a vision of great opulence. Outside the Durbar Hall is a splendid marble balcony and verandah, from which there are fine views across the river.

The principal European buildings are concentrated in the Cantonment area, which lies about 4-8 km from the river, to the north-west of the city.

St Mary`s Church is a typical cantonment church of Upper India with a low tower and spire and projecting portico which is now partly infilled. In the church there are louvered doors to the sides, in lieu of windows, and the hooded ventilation slots beneath the cornice.

The Churchyard is a pleasant, shaded compound containing a number of tombs and memorials removed from the old city cemetery at Chaitganj. The large column, crowned by an urn, commemorates officers massacred at Sewaleh on 16th of August 1781. A pavilion marks the remains of twelve bodies and was removed here by James Princep in 1829.

The Muslim influence can be traced back to the early raids of Mahmud of Ghazni in 1033. In 1194 the Hindu Raja of Varanasi was defeated by Ala-ud-Din Khiliji, who had destroyed the temples and had built mosques. Since this date the city has been under continuous Muslim control. As a consequence, few temples date from before the time of Akbar, in the late 16th century. The Muslim monuments are interspersed among the ghats and temples.

Arhai Kangura Mosque carries a Hindu inscription of 1190 but dates from the early Muslim conquest. The pillars are of Hindu origin and were taken from an older temple.

The Smaller Mosque of Aurangzeb is also called the Madho Rai Ki Masjid or Minarets. The mosque occupies the site of an earlier temple of Lord Vishnu, which accounts for its mixture of Hindu and Muslim details. The minarets were dismantled and reconstructed by James Princep in the early 19th century. There is a magnificent view of the entire city from the top. The Buddhist stupas at Sarnath can be seen at a distance.

The Great Mosque of Aurangzeb is situated on the north-west side of the famous Gyan Kup or Well of Knowledge. It has two colossal octagonal minarets towering 70-7 m above the river, and was built on the site of one of the most sacred temples in Varanasi by the emperor Aurangzeb. It is a remarkable piece of masonry construction. The columns in the front of the mosque were taken from the old temple, the remains of which can still be discerned at the rear.

Raj Ghat fort is presently in a dismantled state. Within the confines of the fort on the south corner of the plateau is the Tomb of Lal Khan, the minister of a former raja. The tomb is enriched with tiles and mosaics. It is one of the few original Muslim buildings of any great beauty in the city. To the north-west of the tomb is the Palang Shahid which is a small Muslim cemetery.

Some of the other well known architectural wonders of Varanasi are Choukhandi Stupa built by Emperor Akbar. The stupa has been crowned with a Mughal Tower. Nandeshwari Kothi in Varanasi dates back to the 18th century. It was designed by James Princep and bears architectural marvel at its entrances. Dhamekh Stupa is another prominent monument of Varanasi.

The Queen`s College of Varanasi had been designed by Major Kittoe in 1847-52. It is one of the earliest secular buildings in a scholarly Gothic style in India. It has been designed in a perpendicular style and has been built of Chunar stone with a lofty central tower and corner towers joined by open arcades. Inside the main entrance in the south-east corridor is a plaque recording the foundation of the original Sanskrit College by Jonathan Duncan in 1791.

The building of Banaras Hindu University is among the most ancient buildings of Varanasi. Banaras Hindu University lies on a large campus to the south of the city. It has a number of interesting secular buildings, erected since its foundation at the turn of the century. The Bharat Kala Bhavan has a splendid collection of miniature paintings and sculptures of national importance.

In conclusion it can be said that the monuments of Varanasi have the capacity to attract a large number of tourists because of is beautiful architectural style and variety. In fact the monuments of Varanasi are part of its heritage.