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.
Sightseeing
- Gwalior Fort
Built in the 15th century by Raja
Mansingh Tomar on a hilltop, the mighty Gwalior Fort overlooks the
city. The outer wall of the fort stands two miles in length and 35 m
in height.
- Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod
Built in the memory of
Guru Hargobind Saheb, the 6th Sikh Guru who was imprisoned here by
Emperor Jehangir for over two years.
- Gujari Mahal
If Man Mandir reflects Man Singh's
aesthetic sensibilities, Gujari Mahal speaks of his love. The
courage and beauty of Mrignayani and her love with Raja Mansingh are
now a part of popular folk tradition. The palace has been now
converted in a museum and houses very good collection of Jain and
Hindu artifacts.
- Suraj Kund
Though major portions of the fort were
built in the 15th century, references to this gigantic complex can
be traced back to 425 A.D. Older than the city is the Suraj Kund
within the fort walls, the original pond where Suraj Sen, or Suraj
Pal as he was later known, was cured by saint Gwalipa.
- Chanderi
Surrounded by forested hills and lakes,
Chanderi is a craft centre, famous for its sarees and brocades. 239
km from Gwalior, Chanderi city has been influenced in its
architecture by the Bundela Rajputs and the Sultans of Malwa. The
Koshak Mahal, built on the orders of Mohammed Khiiji of Malwa in
1445 has an
architectural
style similar to that of Mandu. The Jama Masjid and Shahzadi Ka
Rouza were also built by the Malwa Sultans, as was the Battisi Bandi
built in 1485 by Sultan Ghyasuddin Shah. Northwest of Chanderi town
is the pictureseque tank and temple complex of Parameshwar Tal,
built by the Bundelas. The old city of Chanderi has Jain temples of
the 9th and 10th centuries, and is an important pilgrim centre.
How to reach
- Air
Gwalior is connected by Indian Airlines to
Bombay, Bhopal, Indore, and Delhi.
- Rail
Gwalior is on the main Delhi-Bombay and
Delhi-Madras rail link. Among major trains, the Taj and Shatabdi
Express connect Gwalior with Delhi and Agra. Gwalior is well linked
with Agra (118 km), Mathura, Jaipur (350 km), Delhi (321 km),
Lucknow, Bhopal (423 km), Chanderi (239 km), Indore (486 km), Jhansi
(101 km), Khajuraho (275 km), Ujjain (455 km), and Shivpuri (114
km).
- Road
The most common and cheapest way of moving
around the city is the six-seater auto-rickshaws. Taxis are also
available so are mini buses