GWALIOR Tourism, GWALIOR Travel Guide
About Gwalior
Forming a part of the Heritage Tourism belt, Gwalior is a city full of tourist attractions. Gwalior is an ancient city boasting of its rich cultural heritage of the great Rajput, the Kachchwas and the Tomar dynasties, who have left non-erasable etchings of their rule in this city with their palaces, temples and monuments.
The Gwalior city is dominated by the Gwalior fort which has been the battleground for many struggles for power. Today Gwalior is an important tourist destination due to its historical and architectural significance, as well as for being a pre-medieval centre of Jainism. The entire Gwalior city is a visual and aesthetic feast, and is dotted with a number of tourist attractions. Museums and art galleries are treasure houses and beautifully maintained palaces give Gwalior its inimitable regal flavour.
Gwalior, named after saint ‘Gwalipa’, is known as "the land of music, art and history". The city is the birth place of the Music Samrat, Tansen. The magnificent mementoes of a glorious past have been preserved with care, giving Gwalior an appeal that is unique and timeless. Gwalior city is proud of its ancient culture blended with modern outlook. It has the largest and the only base in India, for Mirage 2000.
Gwalior - Tourist Attractions
| Historical Tourist Attractions | ||
| Gwalior Fort | Gujari Mahal | Man Mandir |
| Jai Vilas Palace | Tansen's Tomb | Ghaus Mohammed's Tomb |
| Rani Laxmibai Memorial | ||
| Religious Tourist Attractions | ||
| Suraj Kund | Teli Ka Mandir | Saas-Bahu Temples |
| Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod | Sun Temple | Gopachal |
| Other Tourist Attractions | ||
| Gujari Mahal Museum | Kala Vithika | Gwalior Zoo |
Gwalior History
The earliest inscription on Rakhetra stone inscription suggests that Gwalior was under the possession of Gurjara Pratiharas till 942-43 AD. Gwalior was later captured by Kachwaha Rajputs in the 10th century and Qutab-ud-din Aybak in 1196. Shamsud-din Altamsh took control of the area in 1232.
Gwalior is famous for the Gwalior Fort, built by Raja Man Singh Tomar, of the Tomar dynasty. This formidable structure was reputed to be one of the most invincible forts of India, also known as Gibraltar of India. It occupies an isolated rock outcrop. The hill is steepened to make it virtually unscalable and is surrounded by high walls which enclose buildings from several periods.
After the death of Sher Shah Suri in 1545, who was ruling the North India at that time, his son Islam Shah shifted his capital from Delhi to Gwalior and constructed 'Sher Shah Mandir' or Palace/Fort in the memory of his father Sher Shah Suri. Islam Shah operated from Gwalior till his death in 1553.
In the east of the city are two magnificent examples of early Mughal architecture: the mausoleum of the 16th century Sufi saint Ghous Mohammed and the tomb of Mian Tansen, a great singer and one of the 'Nine Jewels' of Emperor Akbar's court. Right next to them is the Gujari Mahal, built by Gujjar king Man Singh Tomar on demand of his consort Gujar princess "Mrignayani"