If you want to see one of the biggest rock cut jain sculpture in India or want to go the area where in 1857 , india’s first independence war was fought by Rani Laxmi Bai or want to have a look to the hill top fort of the Gwalior or want to go to the musical world of Tansen and Barju Baora . Yes, you guess it right , you should come to Gwalior . In the middle of the city on the hilltop , there is humongous fort “Gwalior Fort ” . Monolithic jain sculpture in the hill near the uravi gate and in gopachal parbat is one of the biggest jain sculpture in the world . `
The city was almost 2000 year old when suraj sen in 8 AD established the city . The story says that suraj sen , a chieftain in this place was diagnosed with leprocy . In this place a Monk “Gawalipa” lived . When suraj sen come to him , he gave water to drink from a local pond to suraj sen . Now this pond is named “Suraj Kunda “. After drinking water from this pond , he recoverd from Leprosy . Then this sadhu renamed him as suraj Pal and tell him not to change his surname . He said your later generation will be the ruler of this place until they change their surname . Later 83 generation of Suraj Pal become the ruler of Gawalior but 84 generation changed his surname and lost battle and Ultimately loose Gawalior . From this sadhu this city was named ‘ Gawalior ‘.
This city has been ruled by different dynasty in the History . In 9 th century it was ruled by Gurjara – Pratihara Dynasty . Later in 1231 Iltutmish from slave dynasty captured this city and ruled by them till 1375 when Raja Veer Singh from Tomar dynasty captured Gawalior . In this dynasty Man Singh Tomar moderate the famous Gawalior Fort . This is the most famous Dynasty in the history of the Gawalior as in this time famous palaces were build . Next Babur captured this fort after the ” First Battle of Panipath “. It have been under the Mughal rule unless Sindhiya dynasty captured this Historical fort in 1830 and have been the centre of power for the Princely state of Gawalior . After Independence it was handed over to the Indian Government .
Places to visit in Gwalior :
Gwalior Fort :
Gwalior Fort is 3 km long and 400m – 1.6km width and also 100 m above the surrounding plains of Gwalior . It is like a roof of the Gwalior city from where you can have the panoramic view of the city . It was moderated by Man singh Tomar in 15 th Century . The Fort has two main gate and beautiful Frieze art. They make tiger , Duck , peacock and elephant as the Frieze art . The fort has different palaces , courtyard , rooms , roof and beautifully designed window . Among the palaces Man Singh palaces are most visited . It has four floor and among them almost 2 floor are underground . Which converted into jail in the time of Aurangzeb . Aurangzeb’s own brother Dara -suza was kept there slowly poisoned to death .
Saas Bahu Temple :
Kachchhapaghata rulers of 10 th century made this temple . There is all total two temple and dedicated to vishnu and Shiv . It is believed that the original name of the temple is “sahastrabahu temple ” , means thousand hand . But later by misspelling it become saas bahu , means mother-in -Law and Daughter-in-Law. Outside and inside of the temple there is beautiful carving on rock . I must say the bigger temple is wonderfully curved .
Teli Ka Mandir :
This is a small temple inside the Gwalior Fort which was build in the 10 th century in the time of Gurjar – Pratihar clan by a oil merchant. This temple is the combination of the North Nagara style and South Dravidian Style . All the outside wall are full of sculpture . It is a abandoned temple and no worship happens inside the temple .
Gopachal Parbat:
This are the huge rock cut sculpture of the jain tirthankar Adinath , Mahavir , neminath and Rishabnath . This sculpture are build between 7th to 15 th century . This are the biggest monolithic jain scupture in the world . From the ground you have to climb up through stairs to this place . This all statues are in different posture nude figure of different tirthankar of Jains .
Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor :
Gurudwara data bandi chhor is one of the holiest pilgrimage for the sikh people associated with Guru Har Govind Sahib . There is a miraculous story associated with this guruwara .
Guru Hargibind sahib was the 6 th guru of Shikhs . His father guru arjun was tortured and murdered by the mughals in the Jail . After becoming Guru he made the Akalthakth and strengthen his sikh army . Empiror Jahangir was brainwashed by lahore nawab Murtaza khan that guru Hargoving singh ji is going to kill him and take revenge his father’s death . So Jahangir cleverly call him in delhi and arrested him and send him in the jail of Gawalior Fort . After sometime , Jahangir become seriously ill and going to die . Then his doctor said that only har govind saheb’s blessing can help him get well . So Jahangir ordered to release Hargovind sahib and also the 52 kings of this area . Guru Hargobind sahib’s devine power released him . That is the reason this Gurudwara has been one of the holiest in the Sikh Religion .
Samadhi of Rani Laxmibai :
Chhatri of Rani Laxmibai is the place where she was martyred in the first battle of Independence in 1857 . This battle is called sepoy rebellion in Indian history . After the fall of Jhansi , rani Laxmibai asked the king of Gwalior Jayajirao Sindhia to give them shelter . He was firstly reluctant but later agreed to give laxmibai shelter . Here in Gwalior there is a big fight between Rani Laxmibai , Tantia tope and british Army .After fighting ferociously with the British she died in the battlefield of Gawalior at the age of 23 . This is one of the interesting facts of the Gwalior .
Tansen’s Tomb :
Tansen is one of the famous singer in the history of Indian classical Music . He is one of the jewel in Empiror Akbar’s “9 jewel ” . This Jewels are the best in their work areas . Tansen used to sing benith a neem tree beside this tomb . Previously he used to sing in the Royal court of the Gawalior . Barju Barwa was also another famous singer of that time who used to sing in the royal court in Gwalior . This musician were so powerful that with music only they can increase the crop production without the use of chemical fertilizer .
Tomb of Ghaus Mohammad :
Mohammad Ghaus is one of the famous Sufi saints in sixteenth century . He was like the religious gurus of Emperor Humayan . Akbar made a beautiful tomb in the Gawalior after his death . He is respected by both Hindus and Muslims in Gwalior . He is also a writer and Musician .
Although there is lots of other thing to see in Gawalior but this are the Major One . Gawalior is also called the tourism capital of Madhya Pradesh . Gawalior is chosen in Indian govt’s Smart city . You can rent a Bicycle by app . I do this , and seems to be a good option to travel in the city . Jalebi , Kachori and Dahi are the famous food in Gwalior . I also feel this city deserve good marks in cleanliness . Here people are traditional and fond of the culture . Famous persons of this city are Amzad Ali Khan , Major Dhanchand , Atal Bihari Bajpayee and Javed Aktar . Lots of personalities from the Film and Music were born in this city .
Summery
This is one of the oldest city in central Indian which is famous among the tourist for Music , Art , Historical Monuments and lots of Stories about our heroes in Sepoy Mutiny . This is also famous for the Jain Sculpture of this place . World famous musician Tansen is also from this city .
