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Gwalior is named after a saint who cured the
local chieftain Suraj Sen from leprosy. History of Gwalior dates back to
8th century. From then onwards Gwalior was to become the cradle of
dynasties. The massive fort which overlooks the city is a testimony to its
glory and grandeur. Warrior kings, poets, musicians and saints contributed
in making Gwalior the city it is.
Gwalior is one place which was most affected during the Revolt of 1857.
It was one of the centers which experienced fierce encounters between the
British and the 'Rebels'. The Maharaja of Gwalior was loyal to the British
during the mutiny but his troops sided with the rebels who had laid their
hands on the city. Towards the end of mutiny, Gwalior was subject to heavy
fighting, after which British gained complete control over India. Among
those who laid down their lives here in their attempt to capture the fort
were Tatiya Tope and Rani of Jhansi.
Gwalior changed hands from the Tomars to Lodhis of Delhi. Then it was
ruled by the Mughals and finally the Marathas laid their hands on this
city. Each era and rulers left their impression on this city but what
remained unchanged and un phased was the imposing fort which withstood any
assault on Gwalior. Even today thick walls and high ramparts of the fort
seem invincible. Gwalior is a city where the rich cultural tradition blend
with modern life, where the princely past lives in palaces and museums,
past mixes with present to offer visitor a city of enduring greatness.
CLIMATE: Gwalior has extreme climate. The summers are
very hot and winter are cold. There have been frequent deaths reported due
to heat wave during the summers so it is better to avoid the summers.
Though the winters are cold they are better than summers to visit the
city. Best time to visit from October to March.
GETTING THERE: Gwalior is barely 321 kms from Delhi
and is well connected by Air, Rail, Road services. This city has its own
airport and the airlines operating in India provide their services to this
city. Flights connect Gwalior with the other cities of India. On the
railway route Gwalior is major a station with many superfast and express
trains having a stoppage at Gwalior station. This beautiful station
receives Shatabdi trains and the Royal Palace on Wheels. By road also this
city is linked with other cities in India. The state transport and private
bus operators have their services not only to the nearby places but also
to places outside the state. There are bus services to Chandigarh and
Lucknow too.
SIGHTSEEING: 
The
Fort - For over 100 years this fort has been over looking the
city of Gwalior. One of the most invincible forts in India, this imposing
citadel has changed many hands but has rarely been captured.
Jai
Vilas Palace - Built in 1809, this palace is located in new city
of Gwalior. It is house of the present Maharaja of Gwalior.
Tomb of Tansen - Father of Indian classical music and one of the
nine Gems in Akbar's court is buried in Gwalior. The memorial of this
great singer carriers a very simple tone in itself and is surrounded by
gardens on its sides. This monument is a part of Gwalior's cultural
heritage. Every year a music festival is organised here. The festival is
held in November / December and attracts singers and musicians from all
over India.
Mausoleum of Ghaus Mohammed - Ghaus Mohammed, whose sand stone
mausoleums is laid in the old town of Hazira, was a Afghan Prince turned
sufi saint who had helped Babur to win the Gwalior fort. His mausoleum is
designed on early Mughal architectural lines. Particularly exquisite are
the screens using pierced stone technique. The carvings on these screens
are as delicate as lace.
Sun Temple - This newly constructed temple is based on the lines
of the Konark temple. It is located near the Residency at Morar.
EXCURSIONS:
Dholpur : On the way to Agra is a small tract of Rajasthani land
which is called Dholpur. It was here that sons of Aurangzeb fought battle
for succession. The battle was fought for the control of a declining
Mughal empire. The Shergarh fort here is in ruins now. The Khanpur Mahal
was built by Shah Jahan but it was never occupied.
Shivpuri : Shivpuri
was summer capital of the Scindias and is 122 kms on the Mumbai - Agra
highway. Shivpuri has numerous palaces and lakes which reminds of the
splendour this place must have seen during the rein of Scindias. 
Orchha : Orchha was once
the capital of Bundela Rajput and later it came under the Mughals. It is
120 kms on the road to Khajuraho and has not been touched by destructive
hands of time. For more information on the Orcha ruins .
Datia : A town of the Mahabharata period, Datia is 69 kms from
Gwalior on the way to Chennai. Datia is historically very important. The
seven storied palace built in brick and stone by Raja Bir Singh Deo is one
of the finest example of Bundela architecture. This palace was built in
1614. The palace houses some of the fine Bundela paintings. The imposing
Gopinath temple is a confluence of cultures with Mughal frescoes adorning
the temple.
Chanderi : This place is famous for sarees which have fascinated
the Indian lady since ages. Chanderi is 239 kms from Gwalior and is
surrounded by forests, hills and lakes. Though the craft from Chanderi is
very famous, the architecture of the area are in no way less imposing. The
architecture here is influenced by the Bundela Rajputs and the Sultan of
Malwa. In 1445 Mohammed Khilji built the Koshak Mahal on lines of Mandu
architecture. The Jama Masjid , Shahzadi ka Rouza and Battisi Bandi were
all built by the Sultans of Malwa in the 15th century. Chanderi also came
up as pilgrimage center with the coming up of Jain temples in the 9th and
10th century. The picturesque Parameshwa Tal was built by the Bundelas and
has a temple complex around it.
Narwar : 122 kms from Gwalior is another fort city called Narwar.
This city was capital of Raja Nal. His love for Damayanti has been moulded
into ballads and stories which form legends of the region. The town is
dominated by a fort 500m above the town. The fort and palaces of Narwar
are built in Rajput style. The flat ceilings, fluted columns and the many
arches with interiors decorated with glass beads are typical in
construction.
Pawaya : The ancient city of Padmawati is fascinating city of
ruins. It is 68 kms from Gwalior on the Jhansi road. In the 3rd century
Pawaya was the capital of Nag kings. The life size statue of Chaksha
Manibhadra dates back to 1 A.D. The Parmars built the fort and the nearby
Dhoomeshwar Mahadeo temple which are the main attractions of Pawaya.
Tigra Dam : A picnic spot which is 23 kms from the Gwalior City.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES: 
Tourist
Information - Regional Office, M.P State tourism Development
Corporation, Hotel Tansen, Gandhi Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh (India).
Tel. - +(91)-0751-340370 / 342606. Fax: +(91)-0751-340371an
Tourist information Center - M.P State Tourism Development
Corporation, Railway Station, Platform No. 1, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh,
(India). Tel. - +(91)-0751-345379
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. -
Gangotri, 4th floor, T.T. Nagar, Bhopal- 462 003 Madhya Pradesh, India.
Tel. - +(91)-0755-774340 / 774342 / 774343; Fax - +(91)-0755-772384,
Telefax - +(91)-0755-774289
Tourist Information Counter - 204-205, Kanishka Shopping Plaza, 19
Ashoka Road, New Delhi - 110 001 India Tel. - +(91)-11-3366528; Telefax. -
+(91)-11-3341187
Other Cities
Tourist Info Centres
FAIRS & FESTIVALS: The
Tansen Music Festival: Gwalior has special affinity with the classical
music and singing. It has been an influence on the Hindustani classical
music. Gwalior has retained the strong musical tradition. Tansen the
exponent of Dhrupad style, went on to evolve the Gwalior Gharana whose
contemporary exponent is the world renowned Sarod player Amjad Ali Khan.
As a tribute to Tansen, the great master of classical music, a festival is
organised in the month of November / December every year. Renowned
musicians from the country gather to give performance during the festival.
Indian Fairs &
Festivals
POPULATION: About 9 lakh People resides in this city.
MAIN LANGUAGES: Hindi and English
A WORD OF CAUTION: To all tourist - beware of touts, if, new to
the place.
NEAR BY CITIE(S):
Click Here for City Map Of
Gwalior
| Bhopal - 423 kms. | Agra - 118 kms. |
| Shivpuri - 112 kms. | Orchha - 120 kms. |
| Chanderi - 239 kms. | Khajuraho - 275 kms. |
| Narwar - 122 kms. | Pawaya - 68 kms. |
| Delhi - 321 kms. | Sanchi - 381 kms. |