Gwalior

Gwalior City

Gwalior, a historic city located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is a great place to visit. The land of great warriors, Gwalior is attributed to a significant place in India's medieval history and the freedom struggle. A seat of Jain worship, Gwalior is famous for its massive Gwalior Fort and the some of the magnificent palaces that were built during this period. The palaces of the rajas and maharajas are supreme examples of Indian architecture. Home to some of the well known educational institutions, Gwalior is an important centre of learning. Just 122 kilometers south of Agra, Gwalior can also be easily reached from the capital Delhi and Khajuraho.

The Gwalior fort is reputed to be one of the indestructible forts of India. Built by Raja Man Singh Tomar, this fort occupies a central position in Gwalior. The eastern side of the fortress houses is known as the Old Town of Gwalior. Two separate towns, Morar and Lashkar are also a part of this fortress area. While Lashkar is situated on the south, Morar is positioned in the east. A local legend however states that it was the Kachwaha Chief, Suraj Sen who laid the foundations of the original fort of Gwalior. Among the various palaces built during this era, his was the outstanding one followed by some built by the Mughal rulers Jahangir and Shah Jahan. One of the palace houses is the Baradari, which is counted among the most awesome looking palace halls in the world.

With all its glory, Gwalior is a place worthy of a visit. Before it came to be known as Gwalior, the region was hailed by the name of Gopasetra. According to some sources, Gwalior was named after a sage called Gwaliap.