Gwalior facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gwalior
Metropolis
Gwalior Fort Birla Sun Temple British Monumen Jai Vilas Palace Saasbahu Temple Maharani Laxmibai Chhatri Jai Vilash palace from outside Mohammed Gous tomb
Nickname(s):  UNESCO City of Music
Gwalior Location in Madhya Pradesh Show map of Madhya Pradesh Gwalior Location in India Show map of India
Country	India
State	Madhya Pradesh
Region	Gird
District	Gwalior
Founded by	Suraj Sen
Area
• Metropolis	414 km2 (160 sq mi)
Elevation	247.04 m (810.50 ft)
Population  (2011 census)
• Metropolis	1,054,420
• Density	5,478/km2 (14,190/sq mi)
• Metro	1,102,884
• Population rank	49th
Language
• Official	Hindi,
• Other	Marathi, Urdu
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	474001 to 474055
Telephone code	0751
Vehicle registration	MP-07
Sex ratio	862 ♂/♀
Literacy	87.14%
Avg. summer temperature	40.5 °C (104.9 °F)
Avg. winter temperature	6.6 °C (43.9 °F)

Gwalior is a big city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It's located in the northern part of the state. Gwalior is an important "Counter-magnet" city, which means it helps reduce the population pressure on big cities like Delhi.

The city is about 313 kilometers (194 miles) south of Delhi, India's capital. It's also 118 kilometers (73 miles) from Agra and 446 kilometers (277 miles) from Bhopal, the state capital. Gwalior has always been important because of its location in the Gird region.

Many different Indian kingdoms have ruled this historic city and its famous fortress. These include the Alchon Huns in the 5th century AD and the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty in the 8th century AD. Later, the Kachchhapaghata dynasty ruled in the 10th century. The city then came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th century. The Tomars ruled in the 13th century as vassals of the Delhi Sultanate.

The powerful Mughal Empire took over Gwalior and its fort in the 16th century. As the Mughal Empire grew weaker, Jat rulers took control, followed by the Marathas in 1754. Finally, the Scindia Dynasty of the Maratha Empire took over in the early 18th century. In 2021, Gwalior was noted for having good air quality among the four major cities in Madhya Pradesh.

Gwalior is the main administrative center for the Gwalior district and Gwalior division. It also has many government offices for the Chambal division in northern Madhya Pradesh. Several important state and national government organizations have their main offices here.

From 1948 to 1956, Gwalior was the capital of the state of Madhya Bharat. This state later became part of the larger state of Madhya Pradesh. Before India became independent in 1947, Gwalior was a princely state ruled by the Scindia family under the British Raj. The city is surrounded by high, rocky hills. To the north, it borders the Ganga-Yamuna Drainage Basin. The city itself is located in a valley between these hills. Gwalior's main city area includes the Gwalior city center and Morar Cantonment.

Gwalior was a key location during the 1857 uprising. After India gained independence, Gwalior became an important tourist spot in central India. Many industries and government offices also developed in the city. By the end of the 20th century, it became a large city with over a million people. Today, it is a major metropolitan city in central India. Gwalior is surrounded by industrial and business areas from nearby districts like Malanpur (in Bhind) and Banmore (in Morena).

Gwalior has been chosen as one of India's "smart cities." This is part of PM Narendra Modi's special Smart Cities Mission to develop cities with modern facilities.

A Look at Gwalior's Past

Legend says that Gwalior was founded in 600 CE. A local leader named Suraj Sen was cured of leprosy by a holy man called Gwalipa. Suraj then built a town and a fort, naming them after Gwalipa.

The oldest historical record found in Gwalior is an inscription from the Alchon Hun ruler Mihirakula. It talks about Mihirakula's father, Toramana, as a great ruler of the earth. Mihirakula himself was called "the lord of the earth" around 520 CE.

Around the 9th century, the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty controlled Gwalior. They built the Teli ka Mandir temple. The Kachchhapaghata dynasty ruled from about 950 to 1192 CE. They left behind amazing buildings like the Sasbahu Temple. In 1021, forces led by Mahmud Ghazni attacked Gwalior.

In 1231, Iltutmish, the ruler of the Mamluk dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, captured Gwalior after a long 11-month effort. It remained under Muslim rule until the 13th century. In 1375, Raja Veer Singh became the ruler of Gwalior. He started the rule of the Tomar clan. During this time, Gwalior had a "golden period."

The Jain sculptures at Gwalior Fort were built during the Tomar rule. Man Singh Tomar, a Tomar Rajput king, built his dream palace, the Man Mandir Palace. This palace is now a popular tourist spot at Gwalior Fort. The Mughal emperor Babur once called Gwalior Fort "the pearl in the necklace of forts of India." A daily light and sound show at the fort tells the story of Gwalior Fort and Man Mandir Palace. By the 15th century, the city had a famous singing school. The great Hindustani classical musician, Tansen, attended this school.

After the death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the Jat ruler Bhim Singh Rana took Gwalior from the Mughals. Later, in the 1830s, the Scindia Dynasty captured Gwalior. It remained a princely state during British rule.

The Chaturbhuj Temple at Gwalior Fort is famous for having the world's very first written number zero.

The 1857 Rebellion in Gwalior

Gwalior is known for its role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. After Kalpi (Jhansi) fell to the British in May 1858, Rani Lakshmibai sought safety at Gwalior Fort. The Maharaja of Gwalior, Jayajirao Scindia, was an ally of the British and didn't want to give up his fort. However, after talks, his troops surrendered, and the rebels took control of the fort.

The British quickly attacked Gwalior. Lakshmibai led the fight against them. The Indian forces had about 20,000 soldiers, while the British had around 1,600. Lakshmibai fought bravely and died in the battle. Her courage is still remembered by Indian nationalists today. Gwalior was then freed from the rebels. There is a statue of Lakshmibai on her horse that honors her fight for independence. Tantia Tope and Rao Sahib escaped, but Tantia Tope was later captured and executed in April 1859.

Gwalior as a Princely State

The Scindia family is a Maratha clan in India. They ruled the Gwalior State in the 18th and 19th centuries. Gwalior was a princely state under British colonial rule until India became independent. After independence, members of the Scindia family became involved in politics.

The Scindia state of Gwalior became a powerful regional force in the late 18th century. They played a big part in the three Anglo-Maratha Wars. Gwalior first fell to the British in 1780. The Scindias had significant power over many Rajput states and even conquered the state of Ajmer. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, rebel forces briefly held the city in 1858 before the British defeated them.

The Scindia family ruled Gwalior until India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947. At that time, the Maharaja Jivajirao Scindia joined the Government of India. Gwalior then merged with other princely states to form the new Indian state of Madhya Bharat. Jivajirao Scindia served as the state's Rajpramukh (appointed governor) from 1948 to 1956. Then, Madhya Bharat merged into Madhya Pradesh.

In 1962, Rajmata Vijayraje Scindia, the wife of Maharaja Jivajirao Scindia, was elected to the Lok Sabha (Indian Parliament). This marked the beginning of the family's political career. She was first a member of the Congress Party, and later became an important member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Her son, Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia, was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971, representing the Congress Party. He served until his death in 2001. His son, Jyotiraditya Scindia, also from the Congress Party, was elected to the seat his father held in 2004. He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2020.

People and Languages of Gwalior

As of the 2011 Census of India, Gwalior had a population of 1,054,420 people. About 53% of the population are males and 47% are females. Gwalior has a high literacy rate of 84.14%, which is better than the national average of 74%. For males, literacy is 89.64%, and for females, it's 77.92%. About 11% of the population in Gwalior is under 6 years old. The city's wider metropolitan area, which includes Morar Cantonment, had a population of 1,102,884.

Religions in Gwalior

Religion in Gwalior (2011)
Religion			Percent
Hindus			88.84%
Muslim			8.58%
Jains			1.41%
Sikhism			0.56%
Other or not stated			0.61%

Hinduism is the main religion in Gwalior, followed by 88.84% of the people. Other religions include Islam (8.58%), Jainism (1.41%), Sikhism (0.56%), and Christianity (0.29%). Gwalior has a long history of people from different religions living together peacefully. The former Maharajas of the Scindia dynasty even considered Sufi saints as their teachers and led the Muharram procession every year.

Languages Spoken in Gwalior

Hindi is the most common language in Gwalior, with almost 96% of residents speaking it as their first language. Sindhi and Marathi are each spoken by about 1% of the population.

Gwalior's Location and Environment

Gwalior is located at 26.22°N latitude and 78.18°E longitude in northern Madhya Pradesh. It is about 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Delhi. The city is about 197 meters (646 feet) above sea level. Most of Gwalior is part of the Gird area.

Where is Gwalior?

		Morena District	Bhind District
	Sheopur District		Datia district
		Gwalior district
		Shivpuri district

Water Bodies and Parks

The Tigra Dam is just outside the city. This dam stores water from the Sank river and supplies it to Gwalior. The reservoir is also a fun place for activities like speed boating, paddle boating, and water scooters.

The Swarna Rekha river is a rebuilt part of an older river that dried up during British rule. You can enjoy boat rides between Padav in central Gwalior and the Gwalior Zoo.

The Lashkar part of Gwalior has many beautiful parks. These include the Phool Bagh, or "garden of flowers," which was built to welcome the Prince of Cambridge. The Italian Garden was used by the Scindia family for relaxation. It has Italian-style architecture with a water pool and musical fountains. Ambedkar Park and Gandhi Park are other well-known parks.

The Gwalior Zoo is home to many animals, including white tigers, snakes, golden pheasants, sambar deer, hyenas, and bison.

Gwalior's Climate

Weather chart for Gwalior
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
17   23 7	8   27 10	7   33 16	2.6   39 22	8.9   44 27	78   41 30	262   35 27	313   32 25	146   33 24	43   33 18	4.2   29 12	7.7   24 7
temperatures in °C precipitation totals in mm source: IMD
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.6   73 45     0.3   80 50     0.3   91 60     0.1   102 72     0.4   111 81     3.1   105 85     10   94 80     12   90 78     5.8   91 75     1.7   92 65     0.2   85 53     0.3   76 45 temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches

Gwalior has a sub-tropical climate. This means it has hot summers from late March to early July. The humid monsoon season lasts from late June to early October. Then, there's a cool, dry winter from early November to late February. The city has a humid subtropical climate.

The highest temperature ever recorded was 48°C (118°F), and the lowest was -1°C (30°F). Summers are very hot, similar to cities like Jaipur and Delhi. Temperatures are highest in May and June, averaging around 33–35°C (91–95°F). The heat ends in late June when the monsoon rains begin. Gwalior gets about 750 mm (30 inches) of rain each year, mostly during the monsoon months. August is the wettest month, with about 250 mm (10 inches) of rain.

Winter in Gwalior starts in late October and is usually very mild. Daily temperatures average around 14–16°C (57–61°F), with mostly dry and sunny weather. January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around 5-6°C (41-42°F). Sometimes, cold spells can drop temperatures to single digits.

Gwalior was ranked 26th among the "National Clean Air Cities" in India for cities with over 1 million people.

Air Quality Concerns

In 2016, a World Health Organization study found that Gwalior had the second-highest level of air pollution. Tiny particles from burning garbage and fossil fuels can make the air unhealthy to breathe in the city.

Getting Around Gwalior

Gwalior Railway Station

Gwalior is a major railway hub in the North Central region of India. The Gwalior Junction (Station code: GWL) is part of the North Central Railways. Gwalior was one of the few places where both narrow gauge and broad gauge railway tracks were used. The narrow-gauge line, which was the longest in the world, covered 198 kilometers (123 miles) from Gwalior Junction to Sheopur. This line closed in 2020 for conversion to broad gauge.

Gwalior Junction is a meeting point for five railway lines:

• It goes to Agra (AGC).
• It goes to Jhansi Junction (VGLJ).
• It goes to Guna (GUNA).
• It goes to Etawah (ETW).
• It used to go to Sheopur Kalan (SOE) on the Narrow Gauge Line, which is now being converted.

Gwalior is an important commercial railway station for the North Central Railway, whose main office is in Prayagraj. The station has won awards from Indian Railways for its clean facilities in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1992. It is considered an "Adarsh Station" (ideal station) by Indian Railways.

The Gwalior Light Railway used to connect to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Sheopur. It is being upgraded to broad gauge and might connect Gwalior to Kota, Rajasthan via Sheopur in the future. Gwalior is a good starting point to reach tourist places like Shivpuri, Dholpur, and Bhind.

Gwalior is on the main train line between Delhi (station code: NDLS) and Mumbai (CSTM), and also between Delhi and Chennai (MAS). Some trains from Gwalior Junction go towards Eastern India, connecting to places like Kolkata, Durgapur, Barauni, Varanasi, and Allahabad. There are about 50 trains daily to New Delhi and Agra, and about the same number to Bhopal and Nagpur. However, fewer trains are available for longer routes like Mumbai and Chennai. Luxury trains like the Maharaja Express and India on Wheels also stop at Gwalior during their week-long tours of Central India. More than 180 trains stop at Gwalior Railway Station in total.

Road Travel in Gwalior

Gwalior is well connected to other parts of Madhya Pradesh and India by national and state highways. The planned North–South and East–West Corridor of the Golden Quadrilateral Highway project passes through the city. The Agra-Bombay national highway (NH3) goes through Gwalior, connecting it to Shivpuri on one side and Agra on the other. The Yamuna Expressway is easy to reach from Agra for those traveling to New Delhi.

The city is connected to Jhansi by National Highway 75 to the south. The northern part of the city connects to Mathura via National Highway 3. There are bus services to and from all major and smaller cities near Gwalior, including Bhopal, Agra, Delhi, Jabalpur, Jhansi, Bhind, Morena, Dholpur, Etawah, Datia, Jaipur, and Indore.

Gwalior Airport

Gwalior Airport (GWL/VIGR), also known as Rajamata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, serves Gwalior. It has an Indian Air Force Base where Mirage fighter jets are stationed. Daily flights are available from Gwalior airport to Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Ahemdabad, Jaipur, Indore, and Jammu.

Local Transport in Gwalior

Gwalior's public transport mainly includes Tempos, auto rickshaw taxis, Ola Cabs, and micro-buses. The Municipal Corporation's "Gwalior City Bus" covers some routes in the city. Blue Radio taxis are also available. Tempos and auto rickshaws are sometimes blamed for pollution and traffic jams. The local government plans to replace Tempos with vans that run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In 2018, a 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) cycle track was built in the city, making Gwalior the fourth city in India to have such a facility.

The Gwalior Metro is a proposed project for Gwalior city. The project was announced by the state's Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in October 2014. The district administration is currently preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the Gwalior Metro.

Gwalior's Rich Culture

Art and Literature in Gwalior

Gwalior holds a very important place in Indian classical music, art, and literature. It is known for its art, with both historical and modern examples. In August 2005, a large painting created by Aasutosh Panigrahi and five other artists was recognized by Guinness World Records as the World's Largest Indoor Mural. The Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, a conference on Marathi Literature, was held in Gwalior in 1961. It was led by writer Kusumavati Deshpande, who was the first female president of this annual conference since it began in 1878. Culturally, Gwalior blends two rich traditions: Bundeli and Braj.

In more recent times, the Akhtar family has lived in Gwalior for at least three generations. Muztar Khairabadi, his son Jan Nisar Akhtar, and his grandson Javed Akhtar are all famous literary figures from this family. Nida Fazli, one of India's most famous Hindi and Urdu poets, grew up here. Former Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was also a well-known writer and poet.

Music in Gwalior

Raja Man Singh Tomar, who was King of Gwalior from 1486 to 1516 CE, supported Dhrupad music. Dhrupad is a vocal style in Hindustani classical music and is considered the oldest still used today. Its name comes from "dhruva" (fixed) and "pada" (words).

Gwalior is very important in Indian classical music because it is the birthplace of the oldest Hindustani sangeet gharana (a school of music) – the Gwalior Gharana. Gwalior has kept Indian traditions and its rich musical heritage alive for many years. The Gwalior Gharana is not only the oldest Khyal Gharana but also one of the most famous. Many classical Indian musicians can trace their style back to this gharana. The Gwalior Gharana became popular during the rule of the great Mughal emperor Akbar (1542–1605). Akbar's favorite singer was Tansen, who came from the Gwalior area. Tansen's ashes were buried in Gwalior after his death. The Tansen Tomb in Gwalior was built to remember him. The Tansen Festival started in the 1930s, and today, artists from all over India come to perform at this festival.

Baijnath Prasad, also known as Baiju Bawra, was a classical singer (Dhrupadiya) who lived in Gwalior his whole life under the patronage of Man Singh. Baiju was born in Chanderi and was cremated there. He learned music in Vrindaban from Swami Guru Haridas Ji. He was a court musician in Gwalior, along with Nayak Charju and Bakshu.

The famous Sarod player Amjad Ali Khan is also from Gwalior. His grandfather, Ghulam Ali Khan Bangash, became a court musician in Gwalior.

Gwalior: A UNESCO City of Music

In November 2023, UNESCO announced that Gwalior was included in its special Creative Cities Network program for Music.

The Tansen Music Festival

The Tansen Sangeet Samaroh (Tansen Music Festival) is held every year in December at the Tansen Tomb in Gwalior. This festival is a place where artists from all over India gather to perform vocal and instrumental music. The Tansen Sangeh Samaroh is organized by the government of Madhya Pradesh, with help from the Academy of the Department of Culture. During the festival, music lovers and artists from around the world come to honor Tansen. The academy also recognizes senior and junior artists by inviting them to perform at the Samaroh.

Sarod Ghar: A Music Museum

This Museum of Music is located in the old family home of musician Hafiz Ali Khan. It displays ancient instruments used by Indian masters from the past. It also has a collection of photographs and documents. Sarod Ghar is dedicated to promoting Indian classical music, heritage, and culture. Through this "window" to the past, music lovers can learn more about how Indian classical music developed and understand its history better.

Media and Communication

Gwalior has newspapers, magazines, local TV stations, and four FM radio stations.

Dainik Bhaskar is a leading and widely read newspaper. Swadesh and Naidunia are other well-known newspapers. Other newspapers published in Gwalior include BPN Times, Raj Express, Dainik Madhya Raj, Nav Bharat, Youth Engine, Dainik Jagran, People's Samachar, and Dainik Adityaz. Evening newspapers are Sandhya Samachaar, Gwalior Sandesh, and Sudarshan Express.

"Aalekh-Life in Pages" is a popular youth magazine published and read across the city. SouLSteer magazine is a bi-monthly lifestyle and automotive magazine in Gwalior.

The radio industry has grown with the introduction of private FM channels. The FM radio channels that broadcast in the city include Big FM (92.7 MHz), Red FM (93.5), Chaska FM (95 MHz), My FM (94.3 MHz), and Lemon (91.9 MHz). The state-owned company, Doordarshan, broadcasts two terrestrial television channels. Major local cable channels include Hathway Win, Harsh Networks, KMJ Communications, and DEN networks.

Sports in Gwalior

The Lakshmibai National University for Physical Education (started in 1957) is the largest physical education institution in Asia. Gwalior also has the Railway Hockey Stadium with artificial turf. Captain Roop Singh Stadium is a cricket ground that can hold 45,000 people. This stadium has hosted 10 One Day International (ODI) cricket matches. The first match was between India and West Indies on January 22, 1988. The ground has floodlights and has hosted day-night matches. One match of the 1996 Cricket World Cup was also played here, between India and West Indies.

Dhyan Chand was a famous hockey player from Jhansi, which is near Gwalior. Ankit Sharma is a cricketer from Gwalior who plays in the Indian Premier League. Athletics are also popular here. Vishal Kaim was the youngest hammer thrower in India when he participated in the National Athletics Games in 2006 at age 14.

Stadiums and Sports University

• Captain Roop Singh Stadium is a cricket ground in Gwalior. It has hosted ten One Day International (ODI) matches. The first match was played between India and West Indies on January 22, 1988. It can hold 45,000 people. It was originally a hockey stadium named after the great Indian hockey player Roop Singh, who was the brother of Dhyan Chand. The ground has floodlights and has hosted day-night matches. One match of the 1996 Cricket World Cup was also played here, between India and West Indies. This ground is famous for hosting the ODI where Sachin Tendulkar scored the first-ever double century in ODI cricket.
• The Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior, was started by the Government of India in August 1957. It was named Lakshmibai College of Physical Education (LCPE) to mark 100 years since the War of Independence. It is located in Gwalior, where Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, a heroine of the war, died during the rebellion in 1857. The institute first joined Vikram University, Ujjain, and then Jiwaji University, Gwalior, in 1964. In 1973, it was recognized as a national institution and renamed Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE). To help it grow further, the college was given "Autonomous College" status by Jiwaji University, Gwalior, in 1982.
• A new international stadium is planned at Shankarpur village near Ghatigaon tehsil by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). This stadium will be built on 30 acres of land, taken over by the Gwalior District Cricket Association (GDCA). The construction was expected to finish in 2020. It will have seating for about 100,000 spectators. It will also have floodlights for night matches, a swimming pool, a sauna bath, a modern gym, dressing rooms, and 30 corporate boxes.

Learning and Education in Gwalior

Gwalior has become an important center for education. It has several well-known government and private universities and institutions, including:

Universities in Gwalior

University	Type	Location
Amity University, Gwalior	Private	Airport Road, Maharajpura
ITM University	Private University	Opp. Sithouli Railway Station, NH-75 Sithouli, Gwalior
Jiwaji University	Government	University road, City Centre
Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education	Government	Racecourse Road
Raja Mansingh Tomar Music & Arts University	State university	Needam Road
Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (RVSKVV)	State university	Racecourse Road

Important Institutes in Gwalior

Institute	Type	Location
Gajara Raja Medical College(GRMC)	Government	Heritage theme road, Lashkar
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (IIITM)	Government	Morena Link road
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management	Government	Govindpuri
Madhav Institute of Technology and Science(MITS)	Government aided	Gola ka mandir, Racecourse road
Maharani Laxmi Bai Govt. College of Excellence (MLB College)	Government	Katora taal, Heritage theme road
Rustamji Institute of Technology (RJIT)	Private	BSF Academy, Tekanpur

Gwalior has five Kendriya Vidyalayas (schools managed by the Indian government). It also has several engineering and technology institutes, and over thirty affiliated engineering colleges.

The Scindia School, a boarding school for boys, and Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya (a boarding school for girls) are also in Gwalior. Other notable schools and colleges include No. 1 Air Force School, Gwalior, Ebenezer Hr. Sec. School, D.D. Nagar, Gwalior and Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 4, Gwalior.

Gwalior's Economy and Trade

Gwalior is surrounded by three industrial areas: Sitholi, Banmore, and Malanpur. These areas are located on National Highways 75, 3, and 92, respectively, with Malanpur being the largest. The city once had big manufacturing industries, like Gwalior Grasim and J.C. MILLS in Birlanagar. Now, only one major factory, J.B.Mangharam Ltd., remains in this sector. Important industries in other areas include dairy, chemicals, manufacturing, and textiles. Handicrafts and small businesses are also common.

Gwalior is also an important historical and tourist destination in India. Because of this, the tourism sector also helps the city's economy. Gwalior is one of the cities chosen to help reduce the pressure of urbanization from the National Capital Region (NCR). Most of the people in Gwalior work in trading companies or are self-employed. Many run small and medium-sized businesses, with Gwalior and Agra as their local markets. The city has many coaching centers and educational institutions, which provide jobs for a large part of the city's population.

Gwalior Trade Fair

• The Gwalior Trade Fair started in 1905, created by Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia, the King of Gwalior. It is an annual trade fair that shows off Gwalior's economy. It has become the biggest fair in Madhya Pradesh and one of the most colorful fairs in India. It usually starts in the second week of January and continues until February.

Gwalior City Areas

The 2011 census showed that Gwalior's urban area, which includes Gwalior and Morar Cantonment, had a population of 1,117,740 people.

Old Town of Gwalior

The old town of Gwalior, often called Kila Gate, is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from Hazira, which is the largest area in the old town. This part of the city is quite large but built in an irregular way. It sits at the eastern base of the fort's rock. It contains the tombs of the Sufi saints, Khwaja Khanoon and Muhammad Ghaus, built during the early rule of Mughal emperor Akbar. It also has the tomb of Mian Tansen, a great singer and one of Akbar's 'Nine Jewels'. A town named Ghauspura is located near the tomb of Mohammed Ghaus. The old town has some streets and neighborhoods that are believed to be 700 to 800 years old.

• Koteshwar Temple: This 700-year-old temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its shivling (a symbol of Shiva) was originally on Gwalior Fort. When the Mughals took over, they ordered the shivling to be thrown out. When the troops did this, the shivling miraculously settled in a field below the fort without any damage. A Muslim Gazi told the emperor not to harm the shivling. In the late 18th century, the Scindias built a temple for that shivling, now known as Koteshwar Mahadev.
• Baba Kapoor: This place is 500 meters (1,640 feet) from Ghas Mandi. It was named Baba Kapoor after the saint Shah Abdul Gafoor.
• Kashi Naresh ki Gali: This is a 600-year-old residential street in Gwalior. It was named "Kashi Naresh ki Gali" (King of Kashi's street) because in the 14th century, when the emperor of Kashi was defeated in war and sent into exile, the Gwalior emperor, who was a good friend, gave him an entire street to live on. This street is now known as Kashi Naresh ki Gali. Their family still lives there in Rajaji Ka Bada. (Naresh means king, gali means street, and bada means big area in Hindi.)

Lashkar Subcity

The name Lashkar comes from a Persian word meaning 'army' or 'camp'. This area was originally the army camp and later became the permanent capital of the Scindia dynasty of Gwalior state. Lashkar was the capital of Madhya Bharat from 1950 to 1956.

Jiwaji Chowk is the main center of Lashkar. It has a large square, a former opera house, banks, tea, coffee, and juice stalls, and a municipal market building. Busy markets surround the chowk. Many jewelry shops are located near Jayaji Chowk, also known as Maharaj Bada. The Tighra Dam, built on the Saank river 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the north, is a source of water for the city. The Gajra Raja Medical College, founded in 1946 by Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia and Maharani Vijayaraje Scindia, is in Lashkar on Palace Road, near Katora Taal, along with several hospitals. Jai Vilas Palace, which looks like the French palace of Versailles, is also located here.

Morar Cantonment

Morar Cantonment, once a separate town, is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of the old city. It used to be a British military camp. Morar is generally seen as a rural farming town. It is known as the "green part" of Gwalior because much of the area is still countryside.

Morar was the site of a major uprising in Central India. On June 1, 1858, Jayajirao led his forces to Morar to fight a rebel army led by Tatya Tope, Rani Lakshmibai, and Rao Sahib. The rebel army had 7,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, and 12 guns, while Jayajirao had only 1,500 cavalry, his bodyguard of 600 men, and 8 guns. In this attack, the rebel cavalry captured the guns, and most of the Gwalior forces, except the bodyguard, joined the rebels. The Maharaja and the rest fled until they reached the British garrison at Agra. By 1900, Morar had become a center for local trade and had an important training industry, with a population of 19,179 in 1901.

The Sun Temple is located in Morar on Residency Road.

The cantonment area covers a large part of Morar and contains official homes for the Indian Army. It has many canteens for Army personnel. Saint Paul's School and Pragati Vidyapeeth School are nearby. There is also an air force base in the Pinto Park region.

Thatipur Area

Thatipur is said to have gotten its name from State Army Unit 34, which once stayed there. Gandhi Road divides Thatipur into two areas. Morar is at one end of the road, and Balwant Nagar is on the other.

Thatipur mainly consists of residential areas like Darpan Colony, Madhav Rao Scindhiya Enclave, the government blocks, Vivek Nagar, and Suresh Nagar. Important places include the Dwarikadhish Mandir, Bhagwan colony, Tomar building, Chauhan Pyaau (named after the Chauhan family), Galla Kothar, Ramkrishna Aashram, Saraswati Nagar, Govindpuri, Gayatri Vihar, Shakti Vihar, Shakuntalapuri, Dushyant Nagar, Shanti Vihar, and Mayur market, along with Sai Baba Mandir in Shakti Vihar colony.

Healthcare in Gwalior

Gwalior has several important hospitals. These include Gajara Raja Medical College and its associated J.A. Hospital, Kamla Raja Hospital, Sahara Hospital, Mascot Hospital, BIMR Hospital, and Cancer Hospital & Research Institute. There are also many private doctor clinics. The Cancer Hospital & Research Institute is a nationally recognized medical center for Oncology (cancer treatment). There is also a charity hospital called SATCH (Shri Anandpur Trust Charitable Hospital) that provides free treatment. Gwalior also has a government Ayurvedic college and a private homoeopathic college (Vasundhara Raje Homoeopathic Medical College). This college is run by the Biochemic and Homoeopathic Association of Gwalior and also provides healthcare education and services.

Future Plans for Gwalior

Gwalior West is being developed as a "Counter Magnet" project. This project receives funding from the National Capital Region. Its goal is to increase investment in education, industry, and real estate. This is hoped to help the city grow after the closure of some manufacturing companies like Hotline, Cimmco, and Grasim Gwalior.

The Gwalior Master Plan, launched by the local collector and municipal corporation, aims to improve the city's basic facilities. This plan will help meet the needs of the growing population and make the city more beautiful for tourists.

Amazing Architecture of Gwalior

Gwalior Fort: A Historic Landmark

At the heart of Gwalior is the famous Gwalior Fort, built by the Tomara dynasty. This fort is known for being one of the strongest and most well-built forts in India. Raja Man Singh Tomar improved an older structure to create it. The fort sits on an isolated rock outcrop. The hill is made very steep to make it almost impossible to climb. High walls surround the fort, enclosing buildings from different time periods. The old town of Gwalior is at the eastern base of the fortress. Lashkar, founded by Daulat Rao Scindia, was once a separate town that started as a military camp and is now to the south. Morar, also a formerly separate town, is to the east. Gwalior, Lashkar, and Morar are all part of the Gwalior Municipal Corporation.

The Fort is often called "the Gibraltar of India." The Emperor Babur reportedly described it as "the pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind." This fort has unique architecture. It shows a Chinese influence on Indian architecture, with Chinese dragons carved on the pillars. This influence came from trade between China and India when the fort was built.

After Sher Shah Suri, who ruled North India, died in 1545, his son Islam Shah moved his capital from Delhi to Gwalior. He built 'Sher Shah Mandir' (or 'Sher Shah Fort') to honor his father. Islam Shah ruled from Gwalior until his death in 1553. Islam Shah appointed the Hindu warrior 'Hemu' or Hem Chandra Vikramaditya as his Prime Minister in Sher Shah Fort. Hemu later became king in Delhi and established 'Hindu Raj' in North India.

In the east of the city are two examples of early Mughal architecture: the tomb of the 16th-century Sufi Saint Ghous Mohammed and the tomb of Mian Tansen, a singer and one of the 'Nine Jewels' of the Mughal Emperor Akbar's court. Right next to them is the Gujari Mahal, built by Tomar Rajput King Man Singh Tomar for his queen, Gujar princess Mrignayani. Close to the city center is Jai Vilas Palace of the Scindia dynasty, which looks like the palace of Versailles. It combines Tuscan, Italian, and Corinthian styles of architecture. Historically and architecturally, Gwalior is interesting for several reasons. First, it was an ancient center of Jain worship. Second, it has great examples of palace architecture from the Hindu period between 1486 and 1516. Third, it is an important historic fortress. Many historical places are found near the Dabra-Bhitarwar Road. Before Gwalior was founded, the region was also known by its ancient name of Gopasetra. Gwalior was also an important center for the Bhattarakas of Kashtha Sangh and later Mula Sangh.

Gopachal Parvat: Jain Statues

Gopachal Parvat is located on the mountainous slopes of Gwalior Fort. Gopachal Parvat has unique statues of Jain Tirthankaras. The idol of Parshvanath, seated on a lotus and carved from a single stone, is the largest in the world. It stands 14 meters (46 feet) tall and 9 meters (30 feet) wide. There is a series of 26 Jain statues in a single line. These Jain Tirthankar statues were built between 1398 and 1536 by Tomar kings and have a unique architectural style.

Siddhachal Caves: Rock-Cut Sculptures

The Jain rock-cut sculptures of Siddhachal Caves are a striking part of the Jain remains at Gwalior. These are nearly a hundred caves or rock-cut sculptures carved into the rock on all sides. Most are just niches to hold statues, but some are cells that might have been used as homes. According to inscriptions, they were all carved within a short period of about thirty-three years, between 1441 and 1474. One of the huge figures is 57 feet (17 meters) high, taller than any other in northern India.

Sas-Bahu Temple

Teli ka Mandir: A Unique Temple

Teli Ka Mandir, a structure about 100 feet (30 meters) tall in Gwalior Fort, stands out because of its unique architecture. The temple looks similar to the temple of Prathihara Vishnu. It is decorated with images of coiled serpents, loving couples, river goddesses, and a flying Garuda. The temple's architecture follows the Indo-Aryan and Nagara styles. It is believed to be one of the oldest buildings in the fort. The Telikā Mandir, or 'oil-man's temple', gets its name from Teli, a term for an oil grinder or dealer. Many ideas have been suggested to explain this name historically. However, the name is not very old, as the temple was used for processing oil before the British took over the fort and temporarily used the building as a coffee shop. The Telikā Mandir is the tallest temple in Gwalior Fort, reaching about 30 meters (98 feet) in height.

The temple has a garba griha (sanctum for the deity) and an antarala (entrance area). You can enter it by a flight of steps on the eastern side. The most striking feature of the temple is its wagon-vaulted roof. This type of roof was used over rectangular shrines that usually held a row of Mother Goddesses. The goddesses from inside disappeared centuries ago and have not been found. The temple's outer walls are decorated with sculptures, many of which are damaged. The niches, shaped like small temples, are empty. The building has an inscription dedicating it to a goddess on the southern side, but otherwise, its history is not well known. Its architectural style suggests it was built in the late 8th Century. The entrance gateway on the eastern side was added later by the British in 1881. It was built to save various historic pillars and other pieces that were no longer in their original places.

Other Important Monuments

• Gurudwara Daata Bandi Chhorh: Gwalior Fort also has a Gurudwara, built to remember the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Gobind. This Gurudwara is very large and grand, made entirely of marble with colored glass decorating the main building. Recitals of the Guru Granth Sahib take place here. Mughal kings used to visit Gwalior regularly. There is a Gurdwara that was converted into a temple of "kalli devi," and Sikhs are working to get it back.
• Municipality Museum: This museum is located a short distance from Rani Lakshmibai's tomb.
• Modern 5D: This is Madhya Pradesh's first multi-dimensional theater, launched at the 2011 Gwalior trade fair. It was built by Gwalior's leading company, Modern Techno Projects (P) Ltd. Modern 5D is recognized as India's first multi-dimensional theater built by an Indian company.
• Shyam Vatika: This is a banquet hall that has the world's largest indoor mural, recognized by Guinness World Records.
• Adhyatma Niketan: This is an important ashram (spiritual retreat) near Gwalior Fort.
• Gujari Mahal: Inside the fort are some amazing examples of medieval architecture. The 15th-century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his Gujar Queen, Mrignayani. The outside of Gujari Mahal is almost perfectly preserved. The inside has been turned into an archaeological museum, holding rare old items, some dating back to the 1st century A.D. Many of these were damaged by the iconoclastic Mughals.

Further information on a memorial stone in the archaeological museum: Hāsalpur inscription of Nāgavarman

Jai Vilas Mahal: The Royal Palace

Also called Jai Vilas Palace, this building is the former residential palace of the Maratha rulers of Gwalior – the Scindias. It has now been turned into a museum. The palace has remarkable collections of old items. The museum is one of the largest in Madhya Pradesh and has the world's largest chandelier. The building itself is a mix of British and Hindu architectural styles. The palace was built in 1874, designed to resemble the palace of Versailles in France.

Tombs and Memorials of Historical Figures

• Chatris of Scindias: These memorials are located near the city, close to the Achaleshwar temple. They are the burial place for the Scindia rulers who governed the city for many years. Important figures like Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia, Vijayaraje Scindia, and His Highness Jivajirao Scindia were cremated here.
• Tansen's Tomb: Gwalior is the birthplace of the famous musician Tansen. He was one of the "Nine Gems" (important people) in Emperor Akbar's court.
• Gaus Mohammad's Tomb: The tombs of the great Gaus Mohammad and Tansen are located in the same area.
• Tomb of Rani Lakshmibai: This is the tomb of Rani Lakshmibai, a famous freedom fighter, located in the Phoolbag area. She died here in 1858 while fighting against the British, and this is also her burial place.

Sun Temple: A Modern Marvel

Located in § Morar Cantonment, the Sun Temple, also known as "Vivsvaan mandir," is dedicated to the sun god Surya. It was designed to look like the Sun temple of Konark in Odisha. The temple was funded and built in the 1980s by the Birla family.

The temple is set within a garden. It attracts both locals and tourists who come to offer their prayers. Before the temple was built, the gardens were called Tapovan. These gardens were once the location of an unsuccessful attempt by the Maharaja of Gwalior State to introduce african lions.

Famous People from Gwalior

• Kartik Aaryan, actor, born in Gwalior
• Javed Akhtar, poet, lyricist and writer, born in Gwalior
• Nida Fazli, Urdu writer and poet
• Muhammad Ghawth, Indian Sufi saint and author
• Shifa Gwaliori, Indian Urdu poet
• Pawan Karan, Indian major Hindi poet and writer
• Abhay Karandikar, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science and Technology
• Sharad Kelkar, actor, born in Gwalior
• Amjad Ali Khan, sarod player and musician
• Bihari Lal, Hindi poet
• Meet Bros, the musician duo hail from Gwalior.
• Piyush Mishra, Indian film and theatre actor, music director, lyricist, singer, scriptwriter
• Amitabh Mitra, Indo-English Poet, Visual Artist and Orthopaedic Surgeon studied at Gajara Raja Medical College Gwalior
• Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, musician of the Gwalior gharana
• Meeta Pandit, musician of Gwalior Gharana
• Abha Parmar, actress
• Harshvardhan Rane, Telugu and Bollywood actor
• Radhika Veena Sadhika, world's first woman vichitra veena player.
• Daulat Rao Sindhia
• Jankoji Rao Scindia II
• Jayaji Rao Scindia
• Jiwajirao Scindia
• Jyotiraditya Scindia
• Madhavrao Scindia
• Madho Rao Scindia
• Mamta Sharma, singer, born in Gwalior
• Pran Kumar Sharma, cartoonist and comic creator of Chacha Chaudhary fame moved here after the Partition
• Mahadaji Shinde
• Navniti Prasad Singh, former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court
• Roop Singh, Indian hockey player and Olympian
• Shivendra Singh, Indian national hockey player, born and lives in Gwalior
• Kushal Tandon, Indian television actor. He did his schooling at Scindia School in Gwalior
• Tansen, court musician of the Mughal emperor Akbar
• Narendra Singh Tomar
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India
• Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, Hindi writer, born in Gwalior

Images for kids

• 

  Coin of the Alchon Huns king Mihirakula, who ruled in Gwalior circa 520 CE.

• 

  Jain statues at Siddhachal Caves inside Gwalior Fort.

• 

  The Maharaja of Gwalior Before His Palace, by Edwin Lord Weeks. c. 1887

• 

  Map of the city, ca 1914

• 

  A King George VI stamp of 1949, inscribed 'GWALIOR'

• 

  Sambhar at Gandhi Zoological Park (Gwalior zoo)

• 

  Gwalior Junction

• 

  Captain Roop Singh Stadium

• 

  Girls Hostel, IIITM Gwalior

• 

  Front view of Madhav Institute of Technology & Science, Gwalior

• 

  Statue of Madhav Rao Scindia at MITS, Gwalior

• 

  ITM GOI Gwalior

• 

  Gwalior Fair

• 

  The town hall situated at Maharaj Bada

• 

  Traffic outside Deen Dayal City mall

• 

  View of Gwalior Fort from the Old city

• 

  Jiwaji Chowk at Gwalior

• 

  Gwalior fort front side view

• 

  Gopachal

• 

  Teli-ka-Mandir

• 

  Jai Vilas Palace

• 

  Gaus Mohammad tomb

• 

  Sun Temple

See also

In Spanish: Gwalior para niños