North India, which extends from Rajasthan in the west to Bihar in the East, is a region of the Indian subcontinent over which kings and empires have fought for centuries. The states of North India are Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

From Alexander's invasion of the Indian subcontinent in 326 B.C., to the coming of Islam in the 10th and 11th centuries and the invasions of Babur in the early 16th century, North India has borne the brunt of invaders attacks. Many kingdoms have been established in North India, from the Mauryan empire centred in present day Bihar around 324 B.C., to the Tomaras who ruled the area around Delhi in the 10th century A.D., the Delhi Sultanate from the 13th to the 16th centuries, the Mughal empire from the early 16th century to the mid 19th century, and the British who went on to control most of the Indian subcontinent till India gained independence in 1947.

Each of these and other powers that controlled parts of North India left behind evidence of their rule in the form of monuments such as forts, palaces, temples, mosques and tombs as well as roads, bridges and lakes made for civic welfare.

Many of these monuments and structures can be seen today across North India and are a tourists delight. The Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh in North India is one of the most well known monuments in the world.

Each of the states of North India has something to offer a tourist. The North Indian states are:


Delhi:
the capital of India, many rulers and aspirants who sought to rule from Delhi have fought over this historic city. With monuments ranging from the remnants of Lalkot of the Tomaras and Kila Rai Pithora of Prithviraj Chauhan to Siri, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Firozabad, Dinpanah and Shahjahanabad constructed by rulers of the Delhi Sultanate and the succeeding Mughal Empire, Delhi is a historian's delight. The British Empire in India created the elegant buildings of New Delhi, which are now the President's mansion and the Parliament House. Delhi's grand monuments including Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Humayun's Tomb and newer structures such as the Bahai Temple attract tourists all year round. Haryana:
a state in North India next to Delhi offers opportunities for adventure tourism, golf tourism and nature and leisure tourism. Sanctuaries such as the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary bird watchers and the annual crafts festival in Surajkund is a popular tourist attraction. The hill station of Panchkula is a pleasant getaway from the heat of the plains.


Punjab:
Known for the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holy shrine of Sikhism, Punjab attracts many business tourists because it is the manufacturing and agricultural leader among states in India. Cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Phagwara are known for their spinning mills, sports goods factories and agricultural products companies. Patiala, Pathankot and Sangrur have historic buildings and scenic spots which tourists will enjoy visiting. The robust folk dances of Punjab are a sight to be seen. You're sure to feel like joining in when the drums start beating and the men dance the vigorous Bhangra and the women clap their hands and dance the Gidda.


Rajasthan:
One of the most visited tourism destinations in India, Rajasthan is known for its fabulous palaces, grand forts, colourful festivals, royal ambience, cultural heritage, desert sands and camel safaris. Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, and Bikaner - each city of Rajasthan is known for its colourful history, with many tales of bravery and passion. The wildlife sanctuaries of Ranthambore, Sariska and Baharatpur are well-known nature tourism attractions in India. The Palace on Wheels, a luxury train, revives memories of the royal times of the Maharajas, as it carries tourists through Rajasthan, India.


Himachal Pradesh:
This state in Northern India offers tourists to India many choices. With tremendous natural beauty including the mighty Himalayas, snow fed streams, meadows with wild flowers, and orchards laden with apples and seasonal fruit, Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful tourist destination in India. With many opportunities for adventure tourism including trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and paragliding and holy sites for pilgrimage tourism Himachal offers many delights for tourists on India tours.


Jammu and Kashmir:
The northernmost state of India is divided into three distinct geographic regions - Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. Each area has its own distinctive culture and geography which you can see on your travel in Inida. Apart from tremendous natural beauty, Jammu is known for the famous pilgrimage destination of Vaishnodevi. Kashmir is known for the scenic towns of Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam. The Amarnath Cave is another popular Hindu pilgrimage destination. Ladakh is a predominantly Buddhist region, with a starkly beautiful landscape, with glaciers and towering mountains and richly decorated monasteries.


Uttaranchal:
This state in Northern India is known for its scenic hill stations of Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainital and the holy cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh. With venues for pilgrimage tourism and opportunities for adventure tourism including white water rafting and trekking, Uttaranchal is a pleasant place to visit on your India tours.


Uttar Pradesh:
The most populous state in India, Uttar Pradesh has many attractions. Agra, home of the beautiful Taj Mahal is in Uttar Pradesh. The holy towns of Mathura, Varanasi and Allahabad are situated in this northern state of India. Important Buddhist sites such as Sarnath are located in Uttar Pradesh. With many historic cites and monuments to offer, Uttar Pradesh is not to be missed on your India travel itinerary.


Bihar:
Named after "vihara" or a Buddhist temple, because of the abundance of these monasteries in the state, Bihar is known as the home of Buddhism. Bodhgaya in Bihar attracts tourists from around the world who come to see the site where Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism attained enlightenment. Other Buddhist sites in Bihar include Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali.

You can tour these fascinating states and visit their scenic destinations on your India travel itinerary.