Gwalior is a historic city located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Popular because of the hilltop fort, Gwalior is full of palaces and glorious temples giving this city a majestic charm which speaks volumes of its glorious past.
A historic city founded by king Surajesan, Gwalior is a city where India’s most eminent royalty once resided. Jai Vilas Palace has the largest carpet in the world which took almost 12 years to weave and two most massive chandeliers in the world that weigh close to 3.5 tonnes.
The great Indian musician Tansen was born in Gwalior, and the tomb of Tansen is also an important place here. Every year, in November/December, a four-day Tansen Music festival is celebrated in the city where various classical musicians from all over the country perform on the stage near the tomb itself.
Visit the various monuments and museums, eat the local delicacies like namkeen and go boating in Tighra Dam while you are in the city.
Places to Visit
Gwalior Fort
Referred to as ‘the pearl amongst fortresses in India’ by Mughal emperor Babur, the Gwalior Fort is one of the most impenetrable fortresses located in the entire northern and southern India and is a place you definitely must visit. Situated on the top of a vast rocky mountain near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh in central India, this imposing structure dominates the entire city of Gwalior. An inseparable part of the identity and architecture of the city, evidence suggests that it has been around since the 6th Century. It is also the place where the second oldest reference of the number ‘zero’ has been found in the form of a carving inside a temple on the top of the fort.
The construction of the Gwalior Fort took place in two parts, in two different time periods and thus, this architectural marvel has an intriguing history attached to it. It has passed from the possession of one dynasty to the other, multiple times. The entire fort complex is well maintained and includes temples, water tanks and palaces such as Man Mandir, the Gujari, the Jahangir, the Karan, and the Shah Jahan.
Jai Vilas Palace
The Jai Vilas Palace, also known as the Jai Vilas Mahal is situated in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and is a symbol of age-old Indian culture and opulence, preserved to the modern day. The Maharaja of Gwalior, Jayaji Rao Scindia, had this magnificent edifice built to ensure a grand welcome for King Edward VII, the then Prince of Wales in 1874. Today, it serves as a residence for the descendants of the royal Maratha Scindia family. The palace also serves as a museum stretched over 35 rooms, houses the Chitrangada Raje Art Gallery and a library that comprises more than 5,000 books.
Moreover, each room in the regal palace contains curios of historical importance, including a collection of swords that date back to the times of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, and the original Dhal (shield) that belonged to freedom fighter Rani Laxmibai. The venture cost a total of INR 1 crore, which is likely to have been quite an extravagant affair in that era.
Covering a floor area of about 75 acres, the Jai Vilas Palace has an intricately designed Durbar Hall, which houses some of the world’s most colossal chandeliers, gilt furnishings, and a large plush carpet. The centre operates with a vision of creating an international cultural centre for the study of Maratha dynasty.
Gujari Mahal
Built by Man Singh in the 15th century for his favorite wife Mrignayani, Gujari Mahal is now in ruins and also an archaeological museum as it showcases various sculptures, statues and other remains dating back to 1st and 2nd century BC.
Man Mandir Palace
Located at the North-east end of the fort, Man mandir palace was built between 1486 and 1516 by the Tomar ruler, Man Singh Tomar. The palace couldn’t survive with time, however the remains of the palace still showcases the beautiful carvings and designs of that era.
The palace has two open courts in between with apartments on two levels. There are underground prison cells as well, built later by Mughals. This was the place where Aurangzeb prisoned his brother Murad and poisoned him slowly to death by using opium. If you can find a local guide, he/she would be able to tell you various secrets about the place and show you various parts of the palace, which otherwise you won’t be able to see. Nearby Jauhar Kund is the place where various Rajput women committed mass suicide to avoid rapes by the forces of Iltutmish who was the king of Delhi in the 13th century AD. The palace is also surrounded by other monuments like Jehangir Mahal, Shah Jahan Mahal and the Gujari Mahal.
Tomb of Tansen
One of the greatest musicians of India and an eminent vocalist in the courts of Akbar in the medieval period, Tansen was also among one of the nine gems of the Mughal court.
Tansen was believed to create magic with his music and cause rains and even enchant animals with his music. He was a student of Mohammad Ghaus who taught him Hindustani classical music. He was a proponent of Dhrupad style and he developed the Gwalior Gharana style of music. He was buried near to his guru and this burial site is a beautiful piece of architecture. Annual Tansen music festival is held here every year in the month of November where prominent musicians from all over the country come and perform various classical shows.
Teli Ka Mandir
Located in the Gwalior Fort, this temple also dates back to the 9th century and is the highest building in Gwalior (100 ft.). This temple was used to process oil before the Britishers occupied the Gwalior Fort.
This temple is famous for its unique architecture as the temple holds a Dravidian look, but the sculptures are typically North Indian
Saas Bahu Temple
Built in the 9th century, the Saas Bahu temple attracts tourists and devotees alike. Contrary to what the name suggests, the Saas Bahu Temple does not mean Saas( mother-in-law) and bahu(daughter-in-law) but is rather a short form of Shastra Bahu, another name of Lord Vishnu.
These are two temples situated adjacent to each other and are decorated with impeccable carvings and sculptures.
Scindia Museum
Dedicated to Jivaji Rao Scindia, this is one of the most prominent museums of Madhya Pradesh. It occupies around 35 rooms of Jai Villas Palace and was established in 1964.
The museum is famous for its collection of manuscripts, sculptures, coins, paintings, weapons, etc. The museum is a great place to connect with the history of Gwalior, especially the Scindia dynasty.
Tomb Of Ghaus Mohammed
The tomb of a 16th century prince-turned-sufi is now situated in the town of Hazira. This mausoleum exhibits astonishing Mughal architecture and has proven to be a famous pilgrimage for hindus and muslims alike.
The beautiful tombstone and the stunning architecture of the mausoleum gives this place a sense of serenity and peace.
Gwalior Zoo
Gwalior is an exciting city with a rich heritage, and the Gwalior Zoo is just another feather in the cap. Established by the royal family Madhao Rao Scindia back in 1922, the Gandhi zoo (as it is also known) is actually a section of a larger garden known as Phool Bagh and houses various rare species of animals. Golden peasants, sambhars, bison, hyena, spotted deer, black bucks and a white tiger forms the variety of wild animals that can be found here. Several smaller populations of crocodiles, snakes, monkeys, and birds have also made the zoo their home.
Due to its inhibition of rare species of wild animals, the 8 hectares of land that constitutes the zoo has been declared to be a protected site, maintained by the Municipal Corporation of Gwalior as part of its inheritance. The Phool Bagh was inaugurated by the Prince of Wales almost a hundred years ago, and it continues to be well-maintained and conserved even today, including the provision of good and clean habitation facilities for the animals. The Phool Garden also houses a prayer hall, gurudwara, mosque as well as a theosophical lodge.
The Gwalior Zoo makes for a pleasant outing with family, especially for kids. It is also an attractive destination for enthusiasts who would like to see wildlife in the city, including rare and protected species such as the white tiger.
Must Try Food in Gwalior
1. Kwality Fine Dining Restaurant
2. South Indian Restaurant – Indian Coffee House
3. Param Food Complex Fastfood
4. Hangout Cafe
5. Rajasthani Food at Panchavati Gaurav
6. The Mansingh Indian Restaurant
7. Silver Saloon Restaurant
8. Rajasthani Bhojanalaya
9. Bansiwala Restaurant
10. Wings Rooftop Barbecue
How To Get Here
Gwalior has its own airport and railway station which connect it to all the major cities of the country. You can also reach Gwalior by road via national highways 3, 75 and 92.
By Air
The Gwalior airport is one of the four major airports in the region, which is also the Indian Air Force Base. All the major airlines have flights to Gwalior from different parts of India.
Nearest Airport: Agra Airport (AGR) – 107 kms from Gwalior
By Road
Gwalior is situated on the North-South corridor of the National Highway. NH3, NH75 and NH92 connect Gwalior to the major cities in the country. You can hire a taxi from New Delhi or travel in the buses that ply from the nearby cities to Gwalior.
By Train
Gwalior is connected to all the major cities across India by regular trains. You can easily find auto rickshaws and taxis outside the railway station to travel to any part of the city.