Basilica of Our Lady of Graces, Sardhana

The Basilica of Our Lady of Graces stands at Sardhana, about 19 km northwest of Meerut, and is the largest church in North India. It was built by Begum Samru, who rose from dancing girl to ruler of the principality of Sardhana after marrying the European soldier Walter Reinhardt Sombre. She became a Catholic in 1781, taking the name Joanna Nobilis, and is regarded as India's only Catholic ruler. Work began around 1809 or 1820 and cost four lakh rupees; the two lakes near the church were dug for its building material, and a Latin inscription dates its dedication to 1822.

The Italian architect Antonio Reghellini modelled it on St Peter's in Rome with Palladian and Indian touches: a Greek colonnaded verandah, two spires and three domes. Inside, the marble altar is set with coloured and semi-precious stones and lit by sunlight through an octagon in the dome. Near the sanctuary is the Begum's tomb, a monument about 18 feet high by the sculptor Adamo Tadolini, shipped from Italy.