FACTS
& FIGURES
Ppulation : 8,30,720
Languages : Hindi & English
Best time to visit : October to March
STD code : 0751
LOCATION
The fort city of Gwalior is situated in the central
Indian state of Madhya Pradesh on the main New Delhi–Mumbai
and New Delhi–Chennai rail link. It is around
321 km from Delhi. The city extends between latitude
26°14' in the north to longitude 78°10' in the
east.
CLIMATE
The climate of Gwalior is extreme with hot summers
and cold winters. The maximum temperature during the
summer months can touch as high as 46°C, while in
the winters it can go down to below 5°C. Monsoon
starts from the first week of June and remains there
till August/September.
PAST
According to a legend, Gwalior derives
its name from a great sage Gwalipa who cured a chief
of the Kachwaha clan suffering from leprosy.
Gwalior’s strategic position between north and
south India made it an important possession and was
captured by several ruling houses. The first historical
holders of the city were the Huns. Between 11th to 14th
century ad, Gwalior came under the influence of Kachwaha
Rajputs, the Pratiharas, Qutub-ud-din Aibak, and Iltutmish,
and remained under Muslim possession until 1398. Under
the Tomars, whose most important king was Man Singh
(1486–1517), Gwalior rose to prominence. Gwalior
was finally surrendered to Ibrahim Lodhi in 1518. Held
in succession by the Mughals, Jats, Marathas and the
British, Gwalior was finally handed over to Jiyaji Rao
Scindia at a formal durbar in 1885. The Scindias were
the last ruling family of Gwalior and are still influential
in the political arena of India.
Today, the city is also famous for the educational
institutions like Indian Institute of Information Technology
and Management, Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism
Management, Scindia School, and Laxmibai National Institute
of Physical Education attracting students from every
nook and corner of the country.
SITES TO VISIT
The mighty Gwalior Fort was built in
the 15th century by Raja Mansingh Tomar on a hilltop
that overlooks the city. The outer wall of the fort
stands two miles in length and 35 m in height. A steep
road winds upwards to the fort, flanked by statues of
the Jain Tirthankaras, carved into the rock face.
Man Mandir is the Fort’s piece de resistance.
The palace built by Man Singh Tomar is a delicate structure
exhibiting a sense of joy and abandon through use of
color, motif, and design. There are chambers for affairs
of state as well as those for relaxation, adorned appropriately
and ornately with carved animals, flowers, and the human
form.
If Man Mandir reflects Man Singh’s aesthetic
sensibilities, Gujari Mahal speaks of his love. The
courage and beauty of Mrignayani and her love with Raja
Mansingh are now a part of popular folk tradition. The
palace has been now converted in a museum and houses
very good collection of Jain and Hindu artifacts.
Contrasting with the predominant north Indian style
of architecture is the Teli-ka-Mandir. This temple is
believed to the oldest in the Fort, built in the ninth
century and Dravidian in form. The sculptures are distinctly
north Indian. Some believed it was so named because
it was built in the Telangana style; others say this
was because it was built by telis (oil merchants). A
more recent study ascribes it to Telap Raj, a prime
minister of the region.
The Sas-Bahu temples, in another part of the Fort,
are not, as people believe, dedicated to a mother-in-law
(Sas) and daughter-in-law (Bahu). Sas-Bahu is the name
traditionally given to two adjoining temples of different
sizes. The larger of the two is profusely sculpted with
graceful figures and intricate patterns. This is more
apparent in the interior where, above the sculpted walls
and pillars, an elaborately carved lotus adorns the
roof.
The chhatris, memorials to former Scindia rulers, are
executed in the typical Bundelkhandi style with conical
spires and heavily carved exteriors.
At another point in the city is the tomb of Mohammad
Ghaus. Although of little importance from a historical
perspective, the sheer beauty of the tomb is breathtaking.
The stone carving for which the skilled artisans of
Gwalior were justly famous is apparent in the huge panels
of lacy screen work, which combine with an interesting
architectural design to create a delicate, ethereal
appeal.
Adjacent is a small white, austere tomb. This is the
memorial to Tansen, a famed musician, and one of the
nine gems of the Mughal emperor Akbar’s court.
Much of modern Gwalior is associated with the Scindias
who were prolific builders. The Jai Vilas Palace at
Lashkar is an opulent Italianate structure, set in carefully
laid lawns. Part of the palace is used as a residence
for the family while the other has been converted into
a museum that effectively documents a more leisurely
and princely lifestyle. The museum exhibits, consisting
of collections of the Scindia family, include such things
as chandeliers weighing several tons, a silver toy train
whose wagons were used as serving dishes, and a glass
cradle from Italy used for the Lord Krishna at Janmashtami.
Other important tourist attractions in the city are
Surya Mandir (sun temple), a replica of the famed Konark
Sun Temple in Orissa, Baija Taal cultural complex, museum
of the freedom fighters, and Kala Vithika.
SITES NEARBY
Shivpuri (112 km) on the Agra–Bombay
Road is famous for its Madhav National Park and the
Chhatris (memorials to former rulers).
Chanderi (239 km) is a well-preserved medieval town
famed for the craft of sari weaving, with beautiful
structures executed in the Bundelkhandi style.
Orchha (120 km), former capital of the Bundela Rajputs,
has interesting palaces and temples. Other interesting
places include Datia (69 km), Marwar (122 km), and Pawaya
(68 km).
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Tansen Music Festival is held every
winter in the months of November/December. The festival
is a major cultural event, drawing prominent performers
and music lovers from all parts of the country.
SHOPPING
Gwalior can be a good place to purchase
famous Chanderi Saris. The handicrafts shops at Gwalior
have a good collection of artifacts and stone carvings.
WHERE TO STAY
Gwalior, being a major tourist destination
and a vibrant modern Indian city, has a good variety
of accommodation to chose from. At the top end are the
heritage hotels, which have been converted from the
palaces of bygone era. There are also mid-range and
economy hotels that provide good services and peaceful
environment.
HOW TO REACH
Gwalior is connected by Indian Airlines
to Bombay, Bhopal, Indore, and Delhi. The services are
operational three days a week.
Gwalior is on the main Delhi–Bombay and Delhi–Madras
rail link. Among major trains, the Taj and Shatabdi
Express connect Gwalior with Delhi and Agra.
Regular bus service connects Gwalior with Agra (118
km), Mathura, Jaipur (350 km), Delhi (321 km), Lucknow,
Bhopal (423 km), Chanderi (239 km), Indore (486 km),
Jhansi (101 km), Khajuraho (275 km), Ujjain (455 km),
and Shivpuri (114 km).
The most common and cheapest way of moving around the
city is the six-seater auto-rickshaws. Taxis are also
available so are mini buses.
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