Gwalior
Gwalior is an ancient city with glorious dynasties of Rajput clans having
reigned here. The city has the treasure of heritage in palaces, temples
and monuments. Gwalior of today has made a successful transition into a
modern city, as vibrant and bustling as before. The cultural traditions
of the past have been preserved and nurtured with care. Much of the credit
for progress here goes to the Scindia dynasty.
Gwalior gets credence to its timeless and unique appeal from the magnificent
mementoes of a glorious past preserved with care. There are great palaces
and their museums presenting multitude of enduring greatness. Gwalior’s
grandeur is not confined to the kings and palaces, there flourished saints,
artisans, poets and musicians who are followed with much respect even today.
It is well connected with all the major cities of India by Road, Train and
also with Air.The Gwalior is blessed with Classical Music Maestro Miya Tansen.
In memory of him, three days Tansen Samaroh program take place every year
and the Classical music stars participate in this programme and entertain
the people of Gwalior with their outstanding performance. Also the Gwalior
Trade Fair take place every year in the month of December-January.
Places of Interest
The Fort
Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, Gwalior Fort dominates the city and
is its most significant monument. It has been the scene of momentous events,
imprisonment, battles and jauhars . A steep road winds upwards to the fort,
flanked by statues of the Jain tirthankaras, carved into the rock face.
The magnificent outer walls of the fort still stand, two miles in length
and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the
most invincible forts of India. This imposing structure inspired Emperor
Babur to describe it as " the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind ".
Gujari Mahal
Within the fort are some marvels of medieval architecture. The 15th century
Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his intrepid
Gujar Queen, Mrignayani. The outer structure of Gujari Mahal has survived
in an almost total state of preservation; the interior has been converted
into Archaeological Museum housing rare antiquities,some of them dating
back to the 1st century A.D. 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, the epitome of perfection in miniature
. The statue is kept in the custody of the museum's curator, and can be
seen on request.
Man Mandir Palaceo
Built between 1486 and 1517 by Raja Mansingh.The tiles that once adorned
its exterior have not survived , but at the entrance , traces of these still
remain. Within the palace rooms stand bare, stripped of their former glory,
testifying to the passing of the centuries. Vast chambers with fine stone
screens were once the music halls, and behind these screens, the royal ladies
would learn music from the great masters of the day. Below, circular dungeons
housed the state prisoners of the Mughals. Emperor Aurangzeb had his brother
, Murad imprisoned , and later executed here. Close by is Jauhar Pond, where
in the Rajput tradition, the Ranis committed mass sati after their consorts
had been defeated in battle. At Man Mandir Palace, a poignant ambience of
those days of chivalry and heroism still lingers in the silent chambers.
A superbly mounted Son-et-Lumiere here brings it all alive every evening.
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