Gwalior

Gwalior the capital city,situated in the heart of Madhya Pradesh,the centrally located state in india. The city has both,a modern look known as the new Gwalior and an ancient look known as the old Gwalior.

It is believed that the city is named after a saint who cured the local King from leprosy. The history of this city dates back to over 1000 years and has been a cradle of many dynasties that ruled India. From the rulers like Lodhis,Mughals and the Marathas all have had their share to give it an imposing look and feeling it has today.

A multitude of reigning dynasties,of the great Rajput clans of the Pratiharas,Kacchwahas and Tomars have left indelible etchings of their rule in this city of palaces,temples and monuments. Gwalior remained a royal capital until the formation of present day India. The magnificent momentous of a glorious past have been preserved with care,giving Gwalior an appeal unique and timeless.

Gwalior Fort: It is a huge and most majestic fort of India. It overlooks the entire city. The horizon stretches far beyond the city and at night it's a bewitching view when the whole city is covered in light! There are many small Temples and gardens within and around the fort and many places of ruins reminding of the splendor of this place that once it was.

The 15th century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his Gujar queen,Mrignayani. Also built by Raja Mansingh is the Man Mandir Palace,built between 1486 and 1517. The tiles that once adorned its exterior have not survived,but at the entrance,traces of these still remain.

Teli ka Mandir is a 9th century edifice,towering at 100 ft high. This is a Pratihara Vishnu temple of a unique blending of architectural styles. The shape of the roof is distinctively Dravidian,while the decorative embellishments have the typically Indo-Aryan characteristics of Northern India.

Also dedicated to Vishnu is the graceful little Sas-Bahu-ka-Mandir,built in 11th century. Another landmark is the historic Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod built in the memory of Guru Hargobind Sahib,the 6th Sikh Guru who was imprisoned here by Jehangir for over two years. Within the Fort complex,housed in the erstwhile barracks of the British soldiers,is Gwalior's unique gift to modern India Scindia School that is acknowledged as one of the finest schools in India.

Tomb of Tansen: The father of Hindustani classical music and one of the Gem of Mughal emperor Akbar's court,the great Tansen lies buried in Gwalior. It's a simple structure but the delicate carving and engraving on the stones captures our attention. Every year there is an annual Music Festival around this place somewhere in Dec/Jan.

Tomb of Ghaus Mohammed: An Afghan prince turned sufi saint who helped first Moghul emperor Babur to capture the Gwalior fort is burried here. His tomb is more delicately carved and is huge compared to Tansen's tomb. Here I saw many types of squirrels and was a treat feeding them with my own hands!!

The Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum houses rare antiquities,some of them dating back to the 1st century AD. Even though many of these have been defaced by the iconoclastic Mughals,their perfection of form has survived the ravages of time. Particularly worth seeing is the statue of Shalbhanjika from Gyraspur,the tree goddess,epitome of perfection in miniature. The statue is kept in the custody of the museum's curator,and can be seen on request. The Municipal Corporation Museum has a very fine natural history section. The old ancestral house of the legendary Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan has recently been converted into 'Sarod Ghar' - Museum of Music by the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Memorial Trust under the patronage and guidance of his great son and sarod maestro Ustad Amzad Ali Khan. Gwalior Zoo has some are species of Indian wildlife kept in natural surroundings.

The earliest freedom fighters,Tatya Tope and the indomitable Rani of Jhansi,are commemorated in memorials in Gwalior. There are cenotaphs at major public crossings,memorials to Scindia kings and queens. Throughout the city,there are these reminders of a proud past,of the great men and women of Gwalior who have their place in the nation's roll of honour.

Jai Vilas Palace: This is a palace turned museum with rare collections of the Scindia Dynasty on display for the pulic. Half the palace is still the home of Scindia's and the other half is museum. But it stores the world's largest and heaviest Chandelier! There are various sections one of them displaying the armours and the war weapons and clothes. There are many paintings and old coins and stamps and barroquely designed thrones of kings and queens leave a deep impression of the majesty that this palace must once have been.

Sun Temple: Located close to the fort,its an ancient temple with majestic gardens surrounding it.

There are many small towns and historical places located close the Gwalior city and are worth visiting:

1. Datia : This place is since the epic times of Mahabarat and has classic seven storey palace which is famous for its architecture more commonly known as the bhundelkhand architecture.
2. Tigra Dam : This is a famous Indian dam and a great picnic spot.