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Gwalior
Brief
Surrounded by attractive open plateau country, immediately to the north of the Vindhyas, Gwalior is set in one of the states driest regions. This majestic hill fort, which was formerly the key, to control the Central Provinces, dominates a ridge, overlooking the town spread out below. Here the Jai Vilas Palace, bears testimony to the idiosyncratic tastes of the Scindia Maharajas. Much of the town, which sees few tourists, is very busy, noisy and crowded.
History
Named after a sain,t who cured the local chieftain from leprosy, the history of Gwalior dates back to the 8th century. A cradle of dynasties, Gwalior changed hands from the Tomars to Lodhis of Delhi. Then the Mughals ruled it, and finally the Marathas laid their hands on this city. Gwalior was the most affected, during the revolt of 1857, as it was one of the centers, to experience fierce encounters between the British and the rebels, after which the British gained complete control over India. Tatiya Tope and Rani of Jhansi were among them. Each era and rulers left their impression on this city, but what remained unchanged and unfazed, is the imposing fort, which withstood all assaults on Gwalior.
Culture
A city where the rich cultural tradition, blend with modern life, the princely past of Gwalior lives in palaces and museums, and the past mixes with the present, to offer the visitor, a city of enduring greatness. Having a special affinity with classical music and singing, it has been an influence, on the Hindustani classical music. Gwalior has retained the strong musical tradition. Tansen the exponent of Dhrupad style, went on to evolve the Gwalior Gharana, whose contemporary exponent, is the world renowned Sarod player Amjad Ali Khan. As a tribute to Tansen, the great master of classical music, a festival is organised in the month of November / December every year. Renowned musicians from the country, gather to give performances during the festival.
Climate & Geogaphical Location
Gwalior has extreme climate. The summers are very hot and winters are very cold. Gwalior is barely 321 km from Delhi in Northern Madhya Pradesh.
How to Reach
Gwalior is well connected by air, rail and road. By air, Gwalior has its own airport and is well connected to all the cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal and Indore. By rail, Gwalior is major station with many superfast and express trains having a stoppage at Gwalior station. This beautiful station receives Shatabdi trains and also the Royal Palace on Wheels. It is well connected to Delhi, Amritsar, Mumbai, Bhopal, Agra, Jhansi, Bangalore and other parts of the country. By road, wGwalior is linked with other cities in India. The state transport and private bus operators have their services not only to the nearby places but also to places outside the state including Bhopal, Jhansi, Shivpuri, Agra, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jaipur and Lucknow too.
Tourist Places
The Fort.
For over 100 years, this fort has been over looking the city of Gwalior. One of the most invincible forts in India, this imposing citadel, has changed many hands, but has rarely been captured. Rising 100m above the town, the fort hill is about 3km in length. Its width varies from nearly 1km to less than 200m. The walls, which encircle almost the entire hilltop, are 10m high and imposingly solid. Beneath them, the hill face is a sheer drop away to the plains. On a clear day the view from the fort walls is superb.
Jai Vilas Palace
Built in 1809, this palace is located in the new city of Gwalior. It is the house, of the present Maharaja of Gwalior.
Tomb of Tansen
Father of Indian classical music and one of the nine Gems in Akbar's court, is buried in Gwalior. The memorial of this great singer, carriers a very simple tone in itself and is surrounded by gardens on its sides. This monument is a part of Gwalior's cultural heritage. Every year a music festival is organised here. The festival is held in November / December and attracts singers and musicians from all over India.
Mausoleum of Ghaus Mohammed
Ghaus Mohammed, whose sand stone mausoleums, is laid in the old town of Hazira, was an Afghan Prince, turned Sufi saint, who had helped Babur, win the Gwalior fort. His mausoleum is designed on early Mughal architectural lines. Particularly exquisite, are the screens using pierced stone technique. The carvings on these screens, are as delicate as lace.
Sun Temple
This newly constructed temple,is based on the lines of the Konark temple. It is located near the Residency, at Morar.
Chanderi
This place is famous for sarees, which have fascinated the Indian lady since ages. Chanderi is 239 km from Gwalior and is surrounded by forests, hills and lakes. Though the craft from Chanderi is very famous, the architecture of the area, is in no way less imposing. The Bundela Rajputs and the Sultan of Malawi, influenced the architecture here. In 1445 Mohammed Chili, built the Kosho Mal on lines of Mandu architecture. The Jama Masjid, Shahzadi ka Rouza and Battisi Bandi, were all built by the Sultans of Malwa in the 15th century. Chanderi also came up as pilgrimage center, with the coming up of Jain temples in the 9th and 10th century. The picturesque Parameshwa Tal was built by the Bundelas and has a temple complex around it.
Others
DATIA - A town of the Mahabharata period, Datia is 69 km from Gwalior on the way to Chennai. Datia is historically very important. The seven-storied palace, built in brick and stone, by Raja Bir Singh Deo is one of the finest examples of Bundela architecture.
DHOLPUR - On the way to Agra, is a small tract of Rajasthani land, which is, called Dholpur. It was here that the sons of Aurangzeb, fought a battle for succession. The battle was fought for the control of a declining Mughal empire. The Shergarh fort here, is in ruins now.
NARWAR - 122 km from Gwalior is another fort city called Narwar. This city, was the capital of Raja Nal. His love for Damayanti, has been moulded into ballads and stories, which form legends of the region. The town is dominated by a fort, 500m above the town.
PAWAYA - The ancient city of Padmawati is a fascinating city of ruins. It is 68 km from Gwalior, on the Jhansi road. In the 3rd century, Pawaya was the capital of the Nag kings. The life-size statue of Chaksha Manibhadra, dates back to 1 AD.
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