Most people talk about the Ganga, the temples, the aartis, and the spirituality while discussing Varanasi. And rightly so — it is one of the oldest living cities in the world, after all. The royal side of Varanasi, however, was something else I found quietly standing behind the chanting and the river during my most recent visit.
No, not in the form of grand palaces or loud displays of wealth. The royalty of Varanasi is subtle. It doesn’t try to impress you. It simply exists — in ancient walls, designed doors, and serene spaces. It’s like the past never left… it just became quiet.
A Walk Through Forgotten Gates
One morning, I found myself walking through the narrow lanes near Ramnagar Fort. The streets were quiet. A few kids played cricket with a plastic bat, cows rested in corners, and the air smelled faintly of old wood and incense.
When I reached the fort, it felt like stepping back in time. Built in the 18th century by the royal family of Varanasi, Ramnagar Fort sits across the Ganga, far from the busy ghats. The building is made of sandstone and has aged with grace. Some parts are worn out, but they still carry pride. You can tell it was once full of life, power, and stories.
Inside, I saw vintage cars, old weapons, dusty books, and clothes of kings who once ruled. But more than the items, it was the silence of the place that stayed with me. As if the walls remembered everything but chose not to speak loudly.
Stories Hidden in Stones
Later, while walking through the old city, I passed by some ancient havelis — big homes with wooden balconies, iron gates, and courtyards now turned into shops or homes. Some were falling apart, but they still held beauty. Locals told me stories about kings, poets, and noble families who once lived there. You wouldn’t find these stories in guidebooks.
It struck me how the city carries its past without showing off. In Varanasi, even the most royal things blend into everyday life. A palace gate might now be a doorway to someone’s home. A once-grand hall might store sacks of grains. And yet, the charm doesn’t fade.
Royalty in Simplicity
One of the most touching moments was meeting an old man sitting outside a small temple. He told me he was a descendant of one of the royal families, though he now lives a simple life. “We don’t have thrones anymore,” he said with a smile, “but the soul of our city still wears a crown.”
A City That Doesn't Forget
Varanasi doesn’t shout about its royal past. It whispers. You have to walk slowly, look closely, and listen deeply. The ghats may be busy, the temples may echo with chants, but behind it all — in quiet corners and fading walls — the royal echoes are still alive.
They remind you that power isn’t always loud, and heritage doesn’t always need gold. Sometimes, it lives in cracked walls, soft smiles, and stories passed down over cups of chai.
If you ever visit Varanasi, don’t just stay by the river. Take a turn into its old lanes. Visit the forgotten gates, the silent halls, the forts that watch the river from afar. Let the city show you its other side — the royal one — where time moves slowly and history still breathes.
Because here in Varanasi, even silence tells a story.
