Located on the periphery of Madhya Pradesh at a distance of 121 km from the city of Tajmahal, is a beautiful Indian historical city of Gwalior. Gwalior is the city of true royals, the Scindias and is famous for its massive Gwalior fort. The Gwalior fort was described by the great Mughal Emperor, Babur , as ‘the pearl in the necklace of the forts of hind’.

HISTORY >>
Gwalior’s colorful history goes back to the 8 th century and is a mosaic of the Rajput clans of Pratihara, Kachwahs, and Tomars, each of them have left indelible etchings of their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments.The history of Gwalior is traced back to a fascinating legend of the 8 th century when a chieftain called Suraj Sen, prince of the Kachwaha clan, who was stricken by a deadly disease was cured by a hermit-saint Gwalipa. He was grateful to the saint and asked what he could do for the saint and the saint asked him to beautify the tank and fortify the hill. As a gratitude to the saint, Maharaja Suraj Sen founded this city by his name. Since then the city of Gwalior became the cradle of great dynasties. The city gained new dimensions from the warrior-kings, poets, musicians and saints.

TOURIST CENTERS IN GWALIOR >>

GWALIOR FORT >
On visit to Gwalior one could not escape the Gwalior fort and since it is perched high on a rocky massif therefore the royal edifice is visible from each and every corner of the city. The history of Gwalior’s most significant monument spans over twelve centuries, which is evident from the old, crumbling, ruins of the Gwalior fort. Raja Mansingh Tomar built it in the 15 th century, also called the Gibraltar of India, the massive fort overlooks the city.
The fort was made an important possession because of the strategic location of the city between north and south India. Several rulling houses captured it and out of which some left as soon as they came and some lived here for long and beautified the fort. It was even used as a prison by Mughals who later captured the fort.
Still standing are the magnificent outer walls of the Fort that are two miles in length and 35 feet high. The Gwalior fort overlooks the city and is one of the most invincible forts of India. The fort can be approached from two sides, on the eastern side is the Gwalior fort and on the western side is Uryaj gate. The eastern side leads to the pedestrian way and the western side leads to the motorable way.
Statues of the Jain tirthankars flanks the steep road that winds upward the fort, these are carved into the rock face. These statues were carved in the 7 th and 15 th centuries and the tallest statue is 19m high. This makes Gwalior historically interesting because it is an ancient seat of Jain worship. Marvels of medieval architecture are there within the Gwalior fort.

Temples >

Man Mandir Palace >
Built by Raja Man Singh Tomar between 1486 and 1517, Man Mandir is a marvelous palace. The exterior of the temple was adorned by the tiles and traces of these still remain at the entrance. There are two underground floors in the palace. Surrounded by apartments with carved stones, pillars and brackets are the two open courts. It is believed that the royal ladies would learn music from the great masters within the vast chambers that were once the music halls. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had imprisoned his brother, Murad here; with effect to this the palace still has black walls.
Close to this palace is the Jauhar kund, where according to the Rajput tradition, the ‘ranis’ committed mass ‘sati’ after their consorts had been defeated in battle. Within the Fort walls is the Suraj Kund, which is even older than the city, and this is the pond where Suraj Sen was cured by the Saint Gwalipa.

Sas Bahu ka Mandir >
The graceful little Sas-bahu-ka-mandir was built in 11 th century and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is beautifully adorned with bas-reliefs and though dilapidated but is still picturesque. The carvings can be compared to any of the great temples of India.

Teli ka Mandir >
Towering at 100 ft high is the Teli ka Mandir and was built in 11 th century. The temple is a unique blending of architectural styles where the shape of the roof is Dravidian and the facades remains Indo-Aryan.

Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhode >
Built in the remembrance of sixth guru of Sikhs “Saint Hargovind Singh ji” is the Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhode. Saint Hargovind Singh ji was imprisoned here by Jahangir for over two years. The beautiful structure is made up of white marble and is decorated with colored glasses. Within the Gurudwara there are two sarovars or ponds.

Monuments >

Tomb of Tansen >
One of the ‘nine jewels’ and father of Hindustani classical music, the great Tansen lie buried in Gwalior. Built in the early Mughal architectural style, the memorial has a pristine simplicity about it. It is surrounded y lush green gardens, every year a music festival on a national scale is held here in November-December. Mausoleum of Ghous Mohammed >
Ghous Mohammed was an Afghan Prince and turned sufi saint, he had helped Babur to win the Gwalior fort. His mausoleum is laid near the tomb of Tansen and is a typical Mughal architecture.

Memorials of Rani Jhansi and Tantya Tope >
The memorials of Tantya tope and Rani Jhansi, the earliest freedom fighters, are commemorated in Gwalior. The memorial of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi stands near Phoolbagh. There are memorials of Scindia kings and queens and are thus the reminders of proud past.

Other places of interests >>

Sun Temple or Surya Mandir >
Constructed in 1988 is the Sun Temple or Surya Mandir and is inspired by architecture of the famous Konark temple in Orissa. The temple consists a beautiful sculpture of Lord Surya in the temple.On the exteriors of the temple red sand stone has been used and in the interior white marble has been used.

Jai Vilas Palace >
The Jai vilas Palace, current residence of the Scindia family is patterned on the styles of the ‘Palace de Versailles’ in France. It combines Tuscan, Italian and Corinthian styles of architecture. Part of the palace is converted into a museum where past comes alive. The Darbar hall of the palace has two chandeliers, which weighs a couple of tones and was hanged only when 10 elephants had tested the strength of the roof. The Darbar hall has the largest single piece carpet, which was woven by 12 weavers who took 13 years to complete it. There is a famous Royal Gwalior silver train in the banquet, which is a liquor serving trolley.

Gujri Mahal >
Raja Mansingh built this palace, Gujri Mahal for his favorite queen, Mrignayni. It was built in the 15 th century and houses an archeological museum. Dating back to 1 st century AD are some of the finest museums of sculptures within the Gujari Mahal. The statue of Shalbhanjika from Gyraspur, the tree goddess is particularly worth seeing. Timing of this museum is from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily except Monday.

Archaeological Museum >
Archeological Museum houses rare antiquities and the sculptures that date back to the Pratihara period (7 th century AD to 10 th century AD). There is a large collection of Hindu and Jain sculptures and copies of the Bagh Cave.

PLACES AROUND GWALIOR >>

Datia >
An ancient town mentioned in Mahabharta as Daityavarka, is the small town Datiya, which is 69 km from Gwalior. The small town is famous for its seven-storied palace built by Raja Bir Singh Deo in 1614. The Baglamukhi temple, Gopeshwara temple and the Sidhpeetha of Shri Peetambhra Devi are the pilgrimage spots for the devotees.

Sonagiri >
At a distance of about 3 km from Datia is the Sonagiri, a sacred jain hill that dates back to the 17 th century, on the hill and on its slopes are 77 Jain temples. In the month of Chaitra (April) a large annual fair is held here.

Jhansi >
At a distance of about 99 km from Gwalior is the town of Jhansi, which is famous because the great heroine of the Indian rebellion of 1857 lived here for 22 years. She was the queen of this state and her name is synonymous with Jhansi.