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Gwalior | |
10:00 AM to 06:00 PM | |
Historical Monuments Places | |
Maharaja Badal Dev |
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: History
Gwalor Fort is Oldest Monument in Gwalior. Gwalior Fort, situated on top of a hill, finds its place among the best fortresses of India. It is also considered to be one of the most impenetrable forts in the country. Known for its great architecture and rich past, Gwalior Fort is a must-visit attraction when visiting Central India. No one know it exact time period construction this Monument Fort, but according to some old records we get to know that Gwalior Fort for was before known as Badal garh fort. Badalgarh Fort was build by a Sakarwar Rajput king name as Maharaja Badal Dev. Certain monuments and inscriptions inside the fort explain to visitors that it has been existent since the 6th century. According to a local legend, the fort was built by a Sakarwar Rajput local king name as Maharaja Suraj Sen in 3 CE. The inscriptions and monuments found within what is now the fort campus indicate that it may have existed as early as the beginning of the 6th century. A Gwalior inscription describes a sun temple built during the reign of the Huna emperor Mihirakula in 6th century. The Teli ka Mandir, now located within the fort, was built by the Gurjara-Pratiharas in the 9th century. The fort definitely existed by the 10th century, when it is first mentioned in the historical records.
The present-day fort consists of a defensive structure and two main palaces, Gujari Mahal and Man Mandir, built by Man Singh Tomar (reigned 1486–1516 CE). The Gujari Mahal palace was built for Queen Mrignayani. It is now an archaeological museum. The second oldest record of "zero" in the world was found in a small temple (the stone inscription has the oldest record of the numeric zero symbol having a place value as in the modern decimal notation), which is located on the way to the top. The inscription is around 1500 years old.
It is quite interesting to know that the fort you will be visiting is included in one of the largest forts in India. You will be amazed to see that the second oldest reference of zero in mathematics is seen in a carving in temple in the Fort of Gwalior.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Structure
The fort is built on an outcrop of Vindhyan sandstone on a solitary rocky hill called Gopachal. This hill is long, thin, and steep, which rises 300 feet above the surrounding countryside. the foundation of Gwalior Fort is quite ancient. A small river, the Swarnrekha, flows close to the palace. The imposing architecture of Fort of Gwalior embedded by the concrete walls of sandstone dominates the complete city of Gwalior. The beautiful carvings of the fort comprise of the second oldest reference to the number “Zero” which can be seen at the top of the fort. The architecture of the marvellous fort has a fascinating history associated with it which can be seen in two different parts. Temples, palaces reflect the fine artistry in the hands of the workers who created this beautiful palace. The exterior is also sculpted exquisitely containing blue ceramic tiles. Maan Singh was the last and the most distinguished Tomar ruler, and he constructed several monuments inside the fort complex. The beautiful turquoise blue-tiled Man Mandir Palace was built during his reign. And he also had a separate palace built for his wife Mrignayani; this structure is called the Gujari Mahal and is now a state archaeological museum.
There are two gates; one on the northeast side with a long access ramp and the other on the southwest. The main entrance is the ornate Elephant gate (Hathi Pul). The other is the Badalgarh Gate. The Man Mandir palace or citadel is located at the northeast end of the fort. It was built in the 15th century and refurbished in 1648. The water tanks or reservoirs of the fort could provide water to a 15,000 strong garrison, the number required to secure the fort.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Light And Sound Show
Dazzle your eyes with the splendid and remarkable sound and light show hosted every evening in the Fort of Gwalior. When you will witness the show, it will seem that you are experiencing the history of the fort as the show is very well performed. The show showcases the love story of Raja Man Singh and queen Mrignayani. The show is conducted in the amphitheatre in Man Mandir and the timings of the show are:
Hindi Show starts at 7:30 PM in the evening.
English Show begins at 8:30 PM in the evening.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Timing
You can visit the Gwalior fort anytime from 6:00 AM in the morning till 5:30 PM in the evening. On an average it will take at least 3 to 4 hours to travel the entire Gwalior fort.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Attractions inside
Jain temples form unique monuments inside the fort, with the Siddhachal Caves and Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments being the two areas, complete with thousands of Jain Tirthankar idols defaced during the Mughal invasion. Teli Ka Mandir and Sahastrabahu (Sas-Bahu) Ka Mandir are the two architecturally rich Hindu temples here. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor is another holy place built inside the fort’s complex, and it was where Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib was kept as a captive by Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Assi Khamba Ki Baoli, and Suraj Kund are other important monuments found in the complex.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Man Mandir Palace
The Man mandir palace was built by the King of Tomar Dynasty Maharaja Man Singh in 15th century for his favorite queen, Mrignayani. It is One of the most spectacular palaces. Man Mandir is often referred as a Painted Palace because the painted effect of the Man Mandir Palace is due to the use of styled tiles of turquoise, green and yellow used extensively in a geometric pattern. The palace’s exterior is decorated with blue and yellow tiles on bronze walls. The grand palace houses many rooms, underground passages, corridors, and courtyards.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Karan Mahal
The Karan mahal is another significant monument at Gwalior Fort. The Karn mahal was built by the second king of the Tomar dynasty Kirti Singh. He was also known as Karn Singh, hence the name of the palace Karn Mahal. Other than a few lattice-screens and some sculptures, the structure of the palace is simple. Recently restroed, Karan Palace is older than Man Mandir Palace.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Vikram mahal
Vikram Mahal was built by Vikramaditya Singh. he is the elder son of Maharaja Man Singh. He was a devotee of shiva. Vikram Mahal was also known as Vikram Mandir. The palace had a temple of Lord Shiva which was demolished during the Mughal Period. The temple has been rebuilt right in front of the palace.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Hathi Pol
The Hathi Pol gate is located on the southeast of the fort, leads to the Man mandir palace. It is the last of a series of seven gates. It is named for a life-sized statue of an elephant (hathi) that once adorned the gate. The gate was built in stone with cylindrical towers crowned with cupola domes. Carved parapets link the domes.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Teli ka Mandir
Teli ka mandir is said that the temple was built either in the 8th or the 11th century, which was renovated in the 19th century. It is the oldest part of the fort and has a blend of south and north Indian architectural styles. The Teli ka Mandir is a Hindu temple built by the Pratihara emperor Mihira Bhoja. It has a masonry tower in the North Indian Nagari architectural style with a barrel vaulted roof 25 metres (82 ft) in height. The temple was originally dedicated to Vishnu, destroyed during a Muslim invasion, restored into a Shiva temple by installing a linga while keeping the Vaishnava motifs such as the Garuda . It was refurbished between 1881 and 1883.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Gujari Mahal
The Gujari Mahal was built by Raja Man Singh Tomar for his wife Mrignayani, a Gujar princess. She demanded a separate palace for herself with a regular water supply through an aqueduct from the nearby Rai River. The palace has been now converted into an archaeological museum Gwalior. The museum has a wide collection of sculptures, Rare artefacts include Hindu and Jain, weapons, pottery, and coins, terracotta items and replicas of frescoes seen in the Bagh Caves.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Sas Bahu Temple
Sas Bahu temple was built by King Mahipal of Kachchhapaghata dynasty in 1092-93. It is also known as Sahastrabahu temple. It is pyramidal in shape, built of red sandstone with several stories of beams and pillars but no arches. Vishnu in his Padmanabha form is worshipped in this temple. The temple was possibly called Sahasra Bahu, which means “thousand arms” (another name for Vishnu), which with time morphed into Saas Bahu.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior: Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor
Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor was built during 1970s and 1980s at the place where 6th Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib was arrested and held captive by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1609 at the age of 14 years. who was imprisoned in Gwalior Fort helped released fifty-two kings who have long suffered imprisonment inside the fort.
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