Gwalior
{{About|the city|the district|Gwalior district}}
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{{Disputed|date=May 2024}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gwalior
| official_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| settlement_type = Metropolis
| image_skyline = {{Multiple image
|border = infobox
|total_width = 270
|image_style =
|perrow = 2/2/2/1/2
|image1 = Gwalior_Fort_front.jpg
|caption1 = Gwalior Fort
|caption2 = Birla Sun Temple
|image4 = Jai Vilas Palace Night at the Museum (4).JPG
|caption4 = Durbar Hall
|image3 = 244 Gwalior.jpg
|caption3 = British Monument
|image6 = Chattri of Maharani Laxmi Bai Gwalior - panoramio.jpg
|caption6 = Maharani Laxmibai Chhatri
|image7 = The Jai Vilas Palace (Gwalior).jpg
|caption7 = Jai Vilas palace from outside
|image5 = Sahasra bahu temple Gwalior fort.jpg
|caption5 = Saas Temple
|image8 = Mohammad gaus tomb.jpg
|caption8 = Muhammed Ghaus Tomb
|image9 = Gwalior Stadium.png
|caption9 = Gwalior Stadium
|image10 = Gwalior Airport.png
|caption10 = Gwalior Airport
}}
| image_caption =
| image_shield = Gwalior Coat of arms.png
| nickname = The City of Music, Capital of Hindustani Music,{{cite news |last1=Nair |first1=Jyoti |date=7 December 2017 |title=What are the important signatures of a raga? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/gwalior-gharana-one-of-the-ancient-one/article21290240.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=12 February 2025}} The Royal City of Madhya Pradesh{{cite magazine |title=On A Carpet Tour Through India |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/explore/culture/on-a-carpet-tour-through-india |magazine=Outlook |date=1 November 2022 |access-date=11 March 2025}}
| pushpin_map = India Madhya Pradesh#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q158467|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Madhya Pradesh
| subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_name2 = Gwalior Chambal
| subdivision_type3 = District
| subdivision_name3 = Gwalior
| established_title =
| established_date =
| founder = Suraj Sen
| government_type = Municipal Corporation
| governing_body = Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC)
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Shobha Sikarwar
| leader_title1 = Administrator
| leader_name1 = Ruchika Chauhan IAS
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 414
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 247.04
| population_total = 2032036
| population_metro = 12,73,792
| population_as_of = 2011 census
| population_blank1_title = Population rank
| population_blank1 = 46th
| population_density_km2 = 5478
| population_demonym = Gwaliorites, Gwaliori
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = Hindi,{{cite web |title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf |website=nclm.nic.in |publisher=Ministry of Minority Affairs |access-date=25 August 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2017 }}
| demographics1_title2 = Other
| demographics1_info2 = Bundeli, Marathi
| timezone1 = IST
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = PIN
| postal_code = 474001 to 474055
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 0751
| registration_plate = MP-07
| blank1_name_sec1 = Sex ratio
| blank2_name_sec1 = Literacy
| blank2_info_sec1 = 87.14%
| blank4_name_sec2 = Avg. summer temperature
| blank4_info_sec2 = {{cvt|40.5|C|F}}
| blank5_name_sec2 = Avg. winter temperature
| blank5_info_sec2 = {{cvt|6.6|C|F}}{{cite web |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/4881/ |title=Climate: Gwalior |access-date=12 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223083531/http://en.climate-data.org/location/4881/ |archive-date=23 December 2015 |url-status=live }}
| website = {{URL|https://gwalior.nic.in/}}
}}
Gwalior (Hindi: {{IPA|hi|ɡʋɑːlɪjəɾ|IPA}}, {{audio|Gwalior.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a major city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; It is known as the Music City of India{{Cite web |last=Dalrymple |first=Sam |date=20 April 2025 |title=This Northern Indian City is a Musical Star that Moves to a Mystical, Centuries Old Beat |url=https://www.cntraveller.com/article/gwalior-madhya-pradesh-india |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=Condè Nast Traveller}}{{Cite web |last=City of Music |first=Gwalior |date=20 November 2023 |title=UNESCO world cities |url=https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/669719547/gwalior-in-madhya-pradesh-declared-as-the-city-of-music-by-unesco/ |access-date=11 October 2024}} having oldest musical gharana in existence. It is a major sports, cultural, industrial, and political centre in Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior is among the seven cities selected for new startup centres under India's growing innovation ecosystem.{{Cite news |title=Gwalior's startup push features in PM's "Mann ki Baat" |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/ratapani-reserve-gwaliors-startup-push-feature-in-pms-mann-ki-baat/articleshow/117378801.cms |work=Times of India |date=20 January 2025 |access-date=20 January 2025}} On World Cities Day (31 October 2023), UNESCO Director - General Audrey Azoulay announced Gwalior's inclusion among 55 new world creative cities in the UCCN from India.{{Cite web |last=World Cities |first=Gwalior |date=25 March 2025 |title=Creative Cities Network |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/creative-cities/gwalior |access-date=25 March 2025 |website=UNESCO}} This tag elevates Gwalior's identity internationally, spotlighting it's artists, music traditions and vibrant culture. It lies in northern part of Madhya Pradesh and is one of the Counter-magnet cities. Located {{convert|313|km|mi|0}} south of New Delhi, the capital city of India and {{convert|446|km|mi|0}} from Bhopal, the state capital, Gwalior occupies a strategic location in the Gwalior Chambal region of India. The grand historic city and its fortress have been ruled by several Indian kingdoms. From the Alchon Huns in the 5th century AD to Gurjara Pratihara dynasty in the 8th century AD. It was passed on to Kachchhapaghatas in the 10th century AD. Later it fell into the hands of the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th century AD, it was then passed on to the Tomars in the 13th century AD who were the vassal rulers of the Delhi Sultanate.
The Mughal Empire conquered the city and its fortress in the 16th century AD. When the Mughal Empire was declining, it fell into the hands of Jat rulers, then to the English in 1730, and last it was passed on to the Scindia Dynasty of Maratha Empire in the early 18th century.{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/madhya-pradesh-and-chhattisgarh/gwalior/history |title=History of Gwalior – Lonely Planet Travel Information |author=Lonely Planet |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706025720/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/madhya-pradesh-and-chhattisgarh/gwalior/history |archive-date=6 July 2015 |url-status=live }}
Gwalior is a premier 21 Gun Salute State along with Hyderabad, Mysore, Jammu & Kashmir and Baroda.{{Cite news |last=Siddarth |first=Praveen |date=25 January 2021 |title=For Whom the Guns Boom |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/explore/for-whom-the-guns-boom/article33659272.ece |work=The Hindu Business line |access-date=11 March 2025}}
Gwalior was the capital of Madhya Bharat from 1948 till 1956 and Moti Mahal was made the legislative assembly.{{Cite news |last=Kaushik |first=Sushil |date=1 November 2022 |title=Madhya Bharat First CM Oath Ceremony |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/madhya-pradesh/gwalior-madhya-pradesh-foundation-day-famous-moti-mahal-of-gwalior-was-first-legislative-assembly-of-madhya-bharat-mav-4825111.html |work=News 18 |language=hi |access-date=11 March 2025}}
Gwalior was one of the major locations of rebellion during the 1857 uprising. During British Raj Gwalior became winter capital of Central India Agency. Post Independence Gwalior was made the capital of the state of Madhya Bharat from 1948 till 1956 which later became a part of the larger state of Madhya Pradesh.{{cite web |title=Profile – District Gwalior |url=https://gwalior.nic.in/en/history/ |website=Government of Madhya Pradesh, India |access-date=20 September 2024}} Prior to Indian independence on 15 August 1947, Gwalior remained a princely state of the British Raj with the Scindia as the rulers.
Besides being the administrative headquarters of Gwalior district and Gwalior division, Gwalior has many administrative offices of the Chambal division of northern Madhya Pradesh. Several administrative and judicial organisations, commissions and boards have their state and national headquarters situated in the city
Post-independence, Gwalior has emerged as an important industrial and tourist attraction in central India while many industries and administrative offices came up within the city. Before the end of the 20th century it became a million plus agglomeration and now it is a metropolitan city in central India. Gwalior is surrounded by industrial and commercial zones of neighbouring districts (Malanpur – Bhind, Banmore – Morena) on all three main directions.
High rocky hills surround the city from all sides, on the north it just forms the border of the Ganga- Yamuna Drainage Basin. The city however is situated in the valley between the hills. Gwalior's metropolitan area includes Lashkar, Old City (Fort City), Gwalior West, Gwalior East, Greater Gwalior, and Morar Cantonment. In April 2021, it was found that Gwalior had the best air quality index among the four major cities in Madhya Pradesh.{{cite news |date=10 April 2021 |title=Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur have the most polluted air in state |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/bhopal-indore-jabalpur-have-the-most-polluted-air-in-state/articleshow/81999987.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216114011/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/bhopal-indore-jabalpur-have-the-most-polluted-air-in-state/articleshow/81999987.cms |archive-date=16 February 2023 |access-date=19 February 2022 |work=The Times of India}} Gwalior has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission.{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/business/why-only-98-cities-instead-of-100-announced-all-questions-answered-about-smart-cities-project-2410576.html |title=Only 98 cities instead of 100 announced: All questions answered about the smart cities project |work=Firstpost |date=28 August 2015 |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119003746/http://www.firstpost.com/business/why-only-98-cities-instead-of-100-announced-all-questions-answered-about-smart-cities-project-2410576.html |archive-date=19 January 2017 |url-status=live }}
Etymology and History
File:Mihirakula Coin.jpg king Mihirakula, who ruled in Gwalior circa 520 CE.|left]]
Gwalior derived its name from the Gwalior Fort itself which was earlier known as Gopgiri, Gop Parvat (Shepherd's Hill) or Gopachal during Gupta period. In ancient time this region was known as Gopashetra roughly translate to "the land of Gopis" or "the land associated to Cowherds". The name is believed to have connections with the Gopis (the cow herdesses or cowherds girls) of the Lord Krishna mythology. It is said that the area was once inhabited by cowherds and associated with pastoral activities, especially in the times of Mahabharata. This may refer to the cultural or historical ties with Lord Krishna worship, which had an influence on the region. Gwalior was the major commercial and trade route during Samudragupta regin. According to some legends, Gwalior was founded in 600 CE (early 5th Century) after a local chieftain, Suraj Sen, who was cured of leprosy from a drink given to him by a hermit named Gwalipa. Suraj subsequently set up a city and fort and named them after Gwalipa.{{Cite book |title=International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania |publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers |year=1996 |isbn=1-884964-04-4 |editor-last=Schellinger |editor-first=Paul |location=Chicago |pages=312 |editor-last2=Salkin |editor-first2=Robert }}
The earliest historical record found at Gwalior is the Gwalior inscription of the Alchon Hun ruler Mihirakula. It describes Mihirakula's father Toramana (493–515) as "a ruler of the earth, of great merit, who was renowned by the name of the glorious Tôramâna; by whom, through (his) heroism that was specially characterized by truthfulness, the earth was governed with justice", and his Mihirakula as "the lord of the earth" as of 520 CE.
Around the 9th century, the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty controlled Gwalior and during their rule, they constructed the Teli ka Mandir temple. The Kachchhapaghata dynasty ruled the area c.950 –c.1192 CE, leaving remarkable architectural works such as the Sas and Bahu Temples. In 1021, Gwalior was attacked by forces led by Mahmud Ghazni.
File:Jain statues, Gwalior.jpg inside Gwalior Fort.|left]]
In 1231 Iltutmish, ruler of the Mamluk dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, captured Gwalior after an 11-month-long effort and from then till the 13th century it remained under Muslim rule. In 1375, Raja Veer Singh was made the ruler of Gwalior and he founded the rule of the Tomar clan. During those years, Gwalior saw its golden period. The Jain Sculptures at Gwalior Fort were built under Tomar rule. Man Singh Tomar a Tomar Rajput made his dream palace, the Man Mandir Palace which is now a tourist attraction at Gwalior Fort.{{cite book |title=India through the ages |url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada |last=Gopal |first=Madan |year=1990 |page=[https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/178 178] |editor=K.S. Gautam |publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India }} Babur described it as "the pearl in the necklace of forts of India and not even the winds could touch its masts". The daily light and sound show organised there apprise about the history of the Gwalior Fort and Man Mandir Palace. By the 15th century, the city had a noted singing school which was attended by the prominent figure of Hindustani classical music, Tansen. After death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb the Jat ruler Bhim Singh Rana captured Gwalior from Mughals.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CenDwAAQBAJ&dq=Bhim+singh+rana+capture+gwalior&pg=PT301 |title=Majestic Monuments of India: Ancient Indian Mega Structures |last=TL |first=Prabhu |publisher=Nestfame Creations Pvt. Ltd. |year=2019 |access-date=9 May 2022 }} Later in the 1740s, the Scindia Dynasty captured Gwalior from the Jats. It remained a princely state during the period of British rule.
Chaturbhuj Temple at Gwalior Fort has the world's very first occurrence of zero as a written number.{{cite web |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/origin-number-zero-180953392/?no-ist |title=The Origin of the Number Zero |author=Amir Aczel |website=Smithsonian.com |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924131103/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/origin-number-zero-180953392/?no-ist |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live }}
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= Rebellion of 1857 =
Gwalior was major centre in the 1857 rebellion, mainly because of Rani Lakshmibai. After Kalpi (Jhansi) fell into the hands of the British on 24 May 1858, Lakshmibai sought shelter at Gwalior Fort. The Maharaja of Gwalior, was not willing to give up his fort, but after negotiations, his troops capitulated and the rebels took possession of the fort. The British swifty charged against Gwalior in no time, the battle was fought by Lakshmibai.{{cite web |url=http://www.sanskritimagazine.com/history/rani-lakshmibai-remembering-valiant-queen-jhansi/# |title=Rani Lakshmibai: Remembering the valiant queen of Jhansi |work=Sanskriti – Indian Culture |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716053211/http://www.sanskritimagazine.com/history/rani-lakshmibai-remembering-valiant-queen-jhansi/ |archive-date=16 July 2015 |url-status=live |date=19 November 2014 }} Indian forces numbered around 20,000, and British forces around 1,600 troops. Lakshmibai's example is remembered to this day by Indian nationalists. She died fighting in Gwalior. There is a statue erected at the cenotaph (Samadhi) of Lakshmibai on her horse at Chhatri of Rani Lakshmibai{{Cite web |title=Chhatri of Rani Lakshmibai |url=https://gwalior.nic.in/tourist-place/%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%88-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BF/}} in Gwalior's Phoolbagh area where she died and was cremated which commemorates her contribution to the fight for independence. Tantia Tope and Rao Sahib escaped.{{cite web |url=http://www.indolink.com/Kidz/laxmiBai.html |title=INDOlink Kidz-Korner – Story of RANI LAKSHMIBAI |website=Indolink.com |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830180316/http://www.indolink.com/kidz/laxmiBai.html |archive-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=usurped }} Tantia Tope was later captured and hanged in April 1859.
=Princely state of Gwalior=
{{main|Gwalior State}}File:The Maharahaj of Gwalior Before His Palace ca 1887.jpg
Scindia is a Maratha clan in India. This clan included rulers of the Gwalior State in the 18th and 19th centuries, who were a princely state during the period of British colonial rule until Indian independence. During independence, the clans became involved in politics.
File:Gwalior (Baedeker, 1914).jpg
The Scindia state{{cite web |url=http://www.indianrajputs.com/view/gwalior |title=Gwalior |author=Abhinay Rathore |work=Rajput Provinces of India |date=January 1971 |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621050303/http://www.indianrajputs.com/view/gwalior |archive-date=21 June 2015 |url-status=live }} of Gwalior became a major regional power in the second half of the 18th century and figured prominently in the three Anglo-Maratha Wars. (Gwalior first fell to the British in 1780.) The Scindias held significant power over many of the Rajput states, and conquered the state of Ajmer. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the city was briefly held by rebel forces in 1858 until they were defeated by the British.Columbia-Lippincott Gazetteer, p. 740 The Scindia dynasty ruled Gwalior until India's independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, when the Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia acceded to the Government of India. Gwalior was merged with a number of other princely states to become the new Indian state of Madhya Bharat. Jivajirao Scindia served as the state's Rajpramukh, or the appointed governor, from 28 May 1948 to 31 October 1956, when Madhya Bharat was merged into Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior was the first princely state that was merged into India. File:Gwalior Twelve Annas King George VI SG137.jpg
In 1962, Rajmata Vijayraje Scindia, the widow of Maharaja Jivajirao Scindia, was elected to the Lok Sabha, beginning the family's career in electoral politics. She was first a member of the Congress Party, and later became an influential member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Her son, Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971, representing the Congress Party, and served until his death in 2001.{{cite news |last1=Zubrzycki |first1=John |date=6 August 2023 |title=Did India let down the maharajahs? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66370541 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=8 August 2023 |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807230428/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66370541 |url-status=live }} His son, Jyotiraditya Scindia, also in the Congress Party, was elected to the seat formerly held by his father in 2004, but later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2020.
Demographics
{{see also|List of cities in Madhya Pradesh}}
{{update after|2022}}
As of the 2011 Census of India, Gwalior had a population of 1,054,420. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Gwalior has an average literacy rate of 84.14%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy is 89.64% and female literacy is 77.92%. In Gwalior, about 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. The city's metropolitan population, which includes the commuter town of Morar Cantonment, was 1,102,884.{{cite web |title=District Census Handbook – Gwalior |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/23/2304_PART_A_DCHB_GWALIOR.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151618/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/23/2304_PART_A_DCHB_GWALIOR.pdf |url-status=live }}
=Religion=
{{bar box
|titlebar=#FCD116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|Hindus|darkorange|88.84}}
{{bar percent|Muslim|green|8.58}}
{{bar percent|Jains|pink|1.41}}
{{bar percent|Sikhism|darkkhaki|0.56}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.61}}
}}
Hinduism is practised by the majority of the people in Gwalior (88.84%). Other religions practised include Islam (8.58%), Jainism (1.41%), Sikhism (0.56%), and Christianity (0.29). Gwalior has a long history of religious amity. The erstwhile Maharajas of the Scindia dynasty considered the Sufi saints to be their gurus and headed the Muharram procession every year.
=Languages=
{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of Gwalior (2011)
|label1 = Hindi |value1 = 95.97 |color1 = orange
|label2 = Sindhi |value2 = 1.10 |color2 = yellow
|label3 = Marathi |value3 = 1.04 |color3 = red
|label4 = Others |value4 = 1.89 |color4 = grey
}}
Hindi is the predominant language of Gwalior, with nearly 96% of residents speaking it as their first language. Sindhi and Marathi are spoken by 1% each.{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Madhya Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10249/download/13361/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2300.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India }}
Geography
Gwalior is located at {{Coord|26.22|N|78.18|E|}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/35/Gwalior.html |title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Gwalior, India |website=Fallingrain.com |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141246/http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/35/Gwalior.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live }} in northern Madhya Pradesh {{cvt|300|km|mi}} from Delhi. It has an average elevation of {{convert|197|m|ft|abbr=off}}. Most part of it comes under the Gird and Bundelkhand area.
= Location =
= Waterways =
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2021}}
File:Sambhar at Gwalior zoo.JPG
The Tigra Dam is located on the outskirts of the city. The dam is now being used to store water from the Sank river and supply water to the city. The reservoir is used for leisure activities including speed boating, paddle boating, and water scooters.
The Swarna Rekha river is a reconstructed part of the Swarna Rekha river which was dried during the British raj. Boat rides run between Padav in central Gwalior to Gwalior Zoo.
= Parks and gardens =
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2021}}
The Lashkar part of Gwalior has many parks, including the Phool Bagh, or the garden of flowers, built to welcome the Prince of Cambridge.
Italian Garden – the garden which was used by the Scindias as a place of relaxation, is Italian in architecture with a water pool surrounded by musical fountains. Ambedkar Park and Gandhi Park are other prominent parks.
Gwalior Zoo provides a home for white tigers, serpents, golden pheasants, sambar, hyena, bison, and others.
=Climate=
{{climate chart|Gwalior
|7.1|22.9|16.5
|10.0|26.5|8.0
|15.8|32.7|7.0
|22.2|38.7|2.6
|27.2|44.1|8.9
|29.5|40.6|77.7
|26.6|34.5|261.6
|25.3|32.0|312.9
|23.9|32.7|146.2
|18.4|33.2|42.6
|11.5|29.3|4.2
|7.4|24.4|7.7
|source = [http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/gwalior2.htm IMD]
|float=right
|clear=
|state=collapsed
}}
Gwalior has a sub-tropical climate with hot summers from late March to early July, the humid monsoon season from late June to early October, and a cool dry winter from early November to late February. Under Köppen's climate classification the city has a humid subtropical climate. The highest recorded temperature was 48 °C and the lowest was −1 °C. Summers start in late March, and along with other cities like Jaipur and Delhi, are among the hottest in India and the world. Temperatures peak in May and June with daily averages being around {{convert|33|–|35|C|F}}, and end in late June with the onset of the monsoon. Gwalior receives 750 mm of rain on average per year, most of which is concentrated in the Monsoon months (from late June to early October). August is the wettest month with about 250 mm of rain. Winter in Gwalior starts in late October, and is generally very mild with daily temperatures averaging in the {{convert|14|–|16|C|F}} range, and mostly dry and sunny conditions. January is the coldest month with average lows in the 5-6 °C range (41-42 °F) and occasional cold snaps that plummet temperatures down to a single digit.
{{Weather box
| location= Gwalior (1991–2020, extremes 1951–present)
| metric first= yes
| single line= yes
| Jan record high C = 32.4
| Feb record high C = 37.2
| Mar record high C = 41.7
| Apr record high C = 46.2
| May record high C = 48.3
| Jun record high C = 47.4
| Jul record high C = 44.6
| Aug record high C = 41.7
| Sep record high C = 40.0
| Oct record high C = 40.1
| Nov record high C = 38.6
| Dec record high C = 32.1
| year record high C = 48.3
| Jan high C = 22.3
| Feb high C = 26.6
| Mar high C = 32.9
| Apr high C = 38.9
| May high C = 42.1
| Jun high C = 40.4
| Jul high C = 35.2
| Aug high C = 33.3
| Sep high C = 34.0
| Oct high C = 34.2
| Nov high C = 30.1
| Dec high C = 25.2
| year high C = 32.8
|Jan mean C = 14.3
|Feb mean C = 18.6
|Mar mean C = 24.5
|Apr mean C = 30.0
|May mean C = 34.4
|Jun mean C = 34.1
|Jul mean C = 30.6
|Aug mean C = 29.3
|Sep mean C = 28.9
|Oct mean C = 26.2
|Nov mean C = 21.0
|Dec mean C = 15.7
| Jan low C = 7.7
| Feb low C = 10.9
| Mar low C = 16.2
| Apr low C = 21.7
| May low C = 27.0
| Jun low C = 28.8
| Jul low C = 27.1
| Aug low C = 26.2
| Sep low C = 24.8
| Oct low C = 19.3
| Nov low C = 13.1
| Dec low C = 8.5
| year low C = 19.2
| Jan record low C = -1.1
| Feb record low C = -0.3
| Mar record low C = 5.4
| Apr record low C = 11.8
| May record low C = 17.2
| Jun record low C = 18.2
| Jul record low C = 20.1
| Aug record low C = 19.6
| Sep record low C = 15.1
| Oct record low C = 8.9
| Nov record low C = 3.0
| Dec record low C = -0.4
| year record low C = -1.1
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 12.9
| Feb precipitation mm = 14.4
| Mar precipitation mm = 6.4
| Apr precipitation mm = 7.5
| May precipitation mm = 16.6
| Jun precipitation mm = 85.1
| Jul precipitation mm = 224.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 241.8
| Sep precipitation mm = 141.4
| Oct precipitation mm = 27.1
| Nov precipitation mm = 6.8
| Dec precipitation mm = 6.3
| year precipitation mm = 790.4
| Jan rain days = 1.1
| Feb rain days = 1.0
| Mar rain days = 0.8
| Apr rain days = 0.9
| May rain days = 1.9
| Jun rain days = 4.6
| Jul rain days = 10.9
| Aug rain days = 11.8
| Sep rain days = 6.4
| Oct rain days = 1.3
| Nov rain days = 0.2
| Dec rain days = 0.7
| year rain days = 41.7
| time day = 17:30 IST
| Jan humidity = 56
| Feb humidity = 42
| Mar humidity = 30
| Apr humidity = 23
| May humidity = 24
| Jun humidity = 40
| Jul humidity = 66
| Aug humidity = 74
| Sep humidity = 64
| Oct humidity = 54
| Nov humidity = 57
| Dec humidity = 60
| year humidity = 49
|source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web |url=https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101061732/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-date=1 January 2023 |title=Climatological Tables 1991-2020 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=1 January 2023 |page=21 }}
|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)
{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201155746/https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42361 |archive-date=1 December 2022 |url=https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42361 |title=Normals Data: Gwalior – India Latitude: 26.23°N Longitude: 78.25°E Height: 205 (m) |publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency |access-date=1 December 2022 }}
}}Gwalior has been ranked 26th best "National Clean Air City" (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India.{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}
=Environment=
Gwalior was found to have the second-highest level of air pollution according to a World Health Organization study in 2016. Particulates from the burning of garbage and fossil fuels make breathing the air of this city a hazard.{{cite news |title=WHO flags Gwalior for pollution, officials dismissive |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/who-flags-gwalior-for-pollution-officials-dismissive/story-RGHZPeoRKojeAODaEbiRLN.html |access-date=24 March 2021 |work=Hindustan Times|date=22 May 2016|archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127195038/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/who-flags-gwalior-for-pollution-officials-dismissive/story-RGHZPeoRKojeAODaEbiRLN.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-ranked/ |title=The most polluted cities in the world ranked |date=3 February 2017 |publisher=CBS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230145/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-ranked/ |archive-date=18 June 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=24 March 2021 }}
Government
The administration of Gwalior is shared between the departments and institutions of three levels of government – civic administration by the Gwalior Municipal Corporation, state administration by government of Madhya Pradesh, and the central government of India.
The judiciary has four levels: the lowest level being the Gwalior Gram panchayat (or "Gram Nyayalaya").{{cite web |title=Gwalior-Gram Panchayat |url=http://www.gpgwalior.harpanchayats.gov.in/en_GB/hidden |website=National Panchayat Portal |publisher=Govt. of India |date=23 November 2017 |access-date=23 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043403/http://www.gpgwalior.harpanchayats.gov.in/en_GB/hidden |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Bail |first1=Shishir |title=From Nyaya Panchayats to Gram Nyayalayas : the Indian State and Rural Justice |url=http://docs.manupatra.in/newsline/articles/Upload/78E09754-74E0-4268-A050-5EC28D6BBF51.pdf |publisher=Manupatra |date=4 September 2015 |access-date=23 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032803/http://docs.manupatra.in/newsline/articles/Upload/78E09754-74E0-4268-A050-5EC28D6BBF51.pdf |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live }} Above the gram panchayat is the District Court for Gwalior district sits Lashkar. Above that, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has its main seat in Jabalpur, but also a permanent bench in Gwalior city. The final court of appeal is the Supreme Court of India.
=Gwalior Municipal Corporation=
{{Main|Gwalior Municipal Corporation}}
The Gwalior Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city, which is divided into 66 wards.
Shobha Satish Sikarwar(INC) is the present Mayor of Gwalior.{{cite web |url=http://gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org/mayor_desk.aspx |title=Mayor's Desk |website=Gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006163404/http://gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org/mayor_desk.aspx |archive-date=6 October 2015 |url-status=live }}
The Municipal Commissioner, a member of the Indian Administrative Service, is responsible for the corporations finances and for the services and works conducted for the city.{{cite web |title=Administration in Gwalior |url=http://www.gwalioronline.in/city-guide/administration-in-gwalior |website=gwalioronline.in |publisher=Municipal Corporation of Gwalior |date=2017 |access-date=23 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618140804/http://www.gwalioronline.in/city-guide/administration-in-gwalior |archive-date=18 June 2017 |url-status=live }}
Gwalior Municipal Corporation covers an area of {{convert|414|km2|sqmi}}.{{cite news |title=आखिरकार बढ़ ही गई ग्वालियर शहर की सीमा |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/MP-GWA-are-increases-of-gwalior-city-4032376-NOR.html |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |date=2012 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031221440/https://www.bhaskar.com/news/MP-GWA-are-increases-of-gwalior-city-4032376-NOR.html |url-status=live }} The municipality was created on 6 June 1887 with two divisions for Lashkar and Morar, which later were merged with a single constitutional body.{{cite web |title=About GMC |url=http://gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org/about_gmc.aspx |website=gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org |access-date=11 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111205102/http://gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org/about_gmc.aspx |archive-date=11 November 2017 |url-status=live }}
= State government =
{{Main|Government of Madhya Pradesh}}
There are four seats in the state legislative assembly (the "Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha") responsible for the Gwalior municipal area, the constituencies being Gwalior, Gwalior Rural, Gwalior East and Gwalior South.{{cite web |title=Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008 |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/CONSOLIDATED_ORDER%20_ECI%20.pdf |publisher=Election Commission of India |date=2008 |access-date=23 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005180821/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/CONSOLIDATED_ORDER%20_ECI%20.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2010 |url-status=live }} Prior to the 2008 boundary changes the seats were "Gird", "Lashkar East" and "Lashkar West".{{cite web |title=Madhya Pradesh State election results, Assembly and Madhya Pradesh Vidhan sabha results |url=http://elections.traceall.in/Madhya-Pradesh-vidhan-sabha-assembly-election-results |website=elections.traceall.in|access-date=23 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033710/http://elections.traceall.in/Madhya-Pradesh-vidhan-sabha-assembly-election-results |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live }}
State institutions include:
- Office of The Accountant-General (AG) of Madhya Pradesh
- Office of The President-Board of Revenue of Madhya Pradesh
- Office of The Transport-Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh
- Office of The Commissioner-Land Records & Settlements Madhya Pradesh
- Office of The State Excise Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh
=Central government=
The national assembly seat covering Gwalior is the Gwalior (Lok Sabha constituency).
In the June 2024 General Election, Bharat Singh Kushwah of Bharatiya Janata Party had been elected as the Member of Parliament from Gwalior.{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/gwalior-election-results-2019-live-updates-winner-loser-leading-trailing-2154571.html |title=Gwalior Election Results 2019 Live Updates: Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar of BJPWins |website=News18 |date=23 May 2019 |access-date=23 May 2019 |archive-date=23 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523193813/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/gwalior-election-results-2019-live-updates-winner-loser-leading-trailing-2154571.html |url-status=live }}
Central government institutions include:
- Office of the Registrar of Companies under Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment{{Cite web |date=9 November 2009 |title=President of India News Letter |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=53944 |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=Press Release Government of India}}
- Defense Research & Development Establishment (DRDE)
- Border Security Force (BSF) Academy
- Indian Air Force Station (Maharajpura Airbase) Gwalior
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) Officer's Training Academy (OTA)
- Office of The Narcotics Commissioner of India (Central Bureau of Narcotics)
- Central Intelligence Bureau HO
- Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology{{Cite web |title= About CIPET : CSTS – Gwalior | CIPET : CSTS – Gwalior | CIPET : Centre for Skilling and Technical Support (CSTS) – Gwalior | Centres | CIPET | Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology|url=https://www.cipet.gov.in/centres/cipet-gwalior/introduction.php}}
- Indian Army Cantonment (Morar Cantonment), Gwalior
- Central Reserve Police Force, Central Training College (CRPF-CTC), Gwalior
- Central Potato Research Institute, Gwalior{{Cite web |url=http://cpri.ernet.in/?q=node%2F172 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416050124/http://cpri.ernet.in/?q=node%2F172 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2015 |title=CPRS, Gwalior | Central Potato Research Institute }}
- Centre for Advanced Maintenance Technology (Ministry of Railways)
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court Judicature at Gwalior
- National Horticulture Board Centre
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghatan,{{Cite web |date=28 October 2024 |title=Kendriya vidyalaya Sangathan |url=https://kvsangathan.nic.in/en/ziets/ |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=Kendriya vidyalaya Sangathan – Gwalior}} Gwalior (Under Ministry of Education, Government of India)
Transport and connectivity
{{unreferenced section |date= May 2016}}
=Gwalior Junction Railway Station=
File:Railway station Gwalior - panoramio.jpg]]
Gwalior is a major railway junction in the Northern central region. The Gwalior Junction (Station code: GWL) is the part of the North Central Railways. Gwalior is one of the few places where both narrow gauge and broad gauge railways tracks were operational (until the line closed in 2020{{cite news |last1=Chauhan |first1=Arvind |date=13 August 2020 |title=Heritage narrow gauge rail track to chug into history |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/heritage-narrow-gauge-rail-track-to-chug-into-history/articleshow/77531972.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026150103/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/heritage-narrow-gauge-rail-track-to-chug-into-history/articleshow/77531972.cms |url-status=live }}). Gwalior was the terminus for the longest narrow-gauge route operating in the world, covering a distance of {{cvt|198|km}} from Gwalior Junction to Sheopur. Gwalior Junction is a six-railway track intersection point. It won an award for the best and cleanest station of North Central Railway zone.
Gwalior has 3 railway stations within city limits namely:
class="wikitable sortable"
!Station name |
- Birla Nagar station
- Sithouli Station
- Dabra Station
Travellers can board/de board from Gwalior Junction Railway Station from these routes namely:
- Goes to Delhi (NDLS)
- Goes to Bhopal (BPL)
- Goes to Indore (IND)
- Goes to Etawah (ETW)
- Goes to Kota (New line to be completed by 2025){{Cite web |date=18 October 2024 |title=New Gwalior-Kota Line, a boon for travellers |url=https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/sheopur-mp-news-survey-and-dpr-work-of-broad-gauge-line-from-sheopur-to-kota-is-going-on-rail-line-will-be-laid-soon-8277828 |access-date=18 October 2024 |website=Naidunia}}
Gwalior is one of the major commercial railway stations of the North Central Railway, whose zone headquarters is centred in Prayagraj. The station has won awards from Indian Railways for excellent clean infrastructure in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1992. It is in the Adarsh Station Category of Indian Railways.
Gwalior Light Railway connected to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Sheopur. It is being converted to broad gauge and may commence service as a broad-gauge line in future, connecting Gwalior to Kota, Rajasthan via Sheopur. It is the junction point to reach tourist destinations like Shivpuri, Dholpur and Bhind.
Gwalior is on the Main train line between Delhi (station code: NDLS) and Mumbai (Bombay; CSTM) and between Delhi and Chennai (MAS).
Some trains starting here and travelling towards Eastern India via Gwalior Junction – Jhansi Junction provide direct connections to points in eastern India including Kolkata, Durgapur, Barauni, Varanasi, and Allahabad. There are about fifty trains to New Delhi and Agra every day, and around the same number of trains to the Bhopal and Nagpur stations. However, fewer trains are available for long routes like Mumbai and Chennai. The luxury trains – the Maharaja Express and the India on Wheels – stop at Gwalior on their week-long round trip of tourist destinations in Central India. More than 180 trains stop at Gwalior Railway Station{{cite web |url=http://indianrailways.info/stations/GWL/ |title=Indian Railways : Gwalior Station, All Trains Passing through Gwalior Railway Station, GWL Station All Trains Schedule |access-date=20 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630200424/http://indianrailways.info/stations/GWL/ |archive-date=30 June 2016 }}
=Road=
Gwalior has an excellent connectivity to other parts of Madhya Pradesh and India by national and state highways. The proposed North-south-Corridor of the Golden-Quadrilateral Highway project passes through the city. The Agra-Bombay national highway (NH3) passes through Gwalior, connecting it to Shivpuri on one end and Agra on the other. The Yamuna Expressway is easily accessible from Agra for the travellers going to New Delhi.
The city is connected to the Jhansi by the National Highway 75, towards the south of the city. The northern part of the city is connected to the city of Mathura via National Highway 3. There are bus services to and from all major and minor cities near Gwalior, including Bhopal, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra, Delhi, Lucknow, Jabalpur, Jhansi, Bhind, Morena, Dholpur, Etawah, Datia, Indore, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Sheopur Kala etc.
The Government of India is developing 3 expressways in Gwalior namely: I. Gwalior Agra Greenfield Expressway, II. Chambal Expressway and III. Gwalior Lakhnadon Expressway.
Gwalior Etawah Expressway and Gwalior Indore Expressway have also been proposed to ease the traffic congestion.
=Airport=
Gwalior Airport {{airport codes|GWL|VIGR}}, also called Rajamata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, is the largest airport of Madhya Pradesh. It has an Indian Air Force Base which stations Mirage fighters. Daily flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Ahemdabad, Jaipur, Indore, Patna, and Jammu are available from Gwalior airport.
World famous Kuno National Park, the Madhav National Park and Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary can be easily reached from the Gwalior Airport.
=Local public transport=
Gwalior's public transport system mainly consists of 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 in Gwalior. The Tempos and auto rickshaws are often cited as a cause of pollution and road congestion, and the local government has plans to replace the Tempos with vans that will run on liquefied petroleum gas. In 2018, a 3 km cycle track was built in the city,{{cite news |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/gwalior/news/new-cycle-track-will-be-built-from-laltipara-park-to-number-six-intersection-127869224.html |title=New cycle track will be built from Laltipara Park to number six intersection |work=bhaskar.com |language=hi |trans-title=Construction work:New cycle track will be built from Laltipara Park to number six intersection |quote=...in 2018, the Municipal Corporation had prepared the first cycle track by spending 2.5 crores... |access-date=11 February 2021 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101063840/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/gwalior/news/new-cycle-track-will-be-built-from-laltipara-park-to-number-six-intersection-127869224.html |url-status=live }} and the city became the fourth in India to have this type of facility.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
The Gwalior Metro is the proposed project for Gwalior city. The project was announced by state CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 17 October 2014. Hence district administration is preparing a DPR(Detailed Project Report) for The Gwalior Metro.
Culture and cuisine
=Cuisine=
The most famous dishes which make part of the city's cuisine include:
- Gwalior Barbat – The Barbat is a typical Gwalior way of cooking mutton in a red hot and spicy gravy using locally sourced kala masala. Gwalior Barbat is the royal signature dish of the Scindia Dynasty. It is a Dassehra speciality and every Maratha home in Gwalior will prepare this dish on the festival.{{Cite web |date=27 October 2024 |title=Gwalior Barbat |url=https://uppercrustindia.com/oldsite/27crust/twentytwo/gourmet1.htm |access-date=27 October 2024 |website=Upper Crust}}
- Gwalior Bedai – A famous local speciality breakfast dish served with chutni and gravy.{{Cite web |date=27 October 2024 |title=Gwalior Bedai |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/madhya-pradesh/gwalior-jain-sahab-bedmi-bedai-sabji-famous-in-gwalior-5970909.html |access-date=27 October 2024 |website=News 18.com}}
- Gwalior ke Mangode - is a crispy fritters, spiced with local flair served with sabzi and chutney, embodying the city's street food soul. It is considered as Gwalior's culinary charm.{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Even After Going to Delhi Atalji Could not Forget the Taste of Aunty's Mangode |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/gwalior/news/even-after-going-to-delhi-atal-bihari-vajpayee-could-not-forget-the-taste-of-aunts-mango-and-the-boy-of-bahadura-now-atal-memorial-will-be-sold-128050172.html |access-date=25 March 2025 |website=Dainik Bhaskar}}
Apart from that Pohe-Jalebi, Kachori-Imarti, Samosa-Kadhi, Karela Chaat and Gajak are some of the famous local dishes that can be enjoyed in and around the city.
=Art and literature=
In more recent times, Akhtar family has been based out of Gwalior for at least three generations with Muztar Khairabadi, his son Jan Nisar Akhtar and his grandson Javed Akhtar being the prominent literary figures. Nida Fazli, one of the most famous Indian Hindi and Urdu poets grew up here. Former Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is also a well known writer and poet.
=Music=
Raja Man Singh Tomar, the King of Gwalior between 1486 and 1516 CE, was a patron of Drupad (Hindi: ध्रुपद). Dhrupad is a vocal genre in Hindustani classical music, said to be the oldest still-in-use in that musical tradition. Its name is derived from the words "dhruva" (fixed) and "pada" (words). The term may denote both the verse form of the poetry and the style in which it is sung.
Gwalior holds a major position in the Indian classical music, with being the birthplace of the oldest Hindustani sangeet gharana – Gwalior Gharana. Gwalior holds an unparalleled reputation in Sangeet and has retained Indian traditions and the wealth of music intact over the years. The Gwalior Gharana is not only the oldest Khyal Gharana but it is also one of the most prominent gharana being the one to which most classical Indian musicians can trace the origin of their style. The rise of the Gwalior Gharana started with the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar (1542–1605). Akbar's favourite singer was Tansen, who came from the Gwalior area and whose ashes were buried in Gwalior after his death. The Tansen Tomb in Gwalior was constructed in his remembrance. Tansen Festival started in the 1930s, and currently artists from all over India come to perform in the festival.
Baijnath Prasad (also known as Baiju Bawra) was a classical singer (Dhrupadiya) who lived in Gwalior for his whole life under the patronage of Man Singh. Baiju was born in Chanderi and was cremated there. He received his musical training in Vrindaban under Swami Guru Haridas Ji. He was the court musician of Gwalior along with Nayak Charju, Bakshu, and others.
Sarod player Amjad Ali Khan is also from Gwalior. His grandfather, Ghulam Ali Khan Bangash, became a court musician in Gwalior.
== UNESCO: Creative Cities Network for Music Category ==
In November 2023, UNESCO announced the inclusion of Gwalior in its flagship Creative Cities Network programme.{{cite news |title=Gwalior, Kozhikode join UNESCO Creative Cities Network |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gwalior-kozhikode-unesco-creative-cities-network-9009592/ |access-date=3 November 2023 |work=The Indian Express |agency=PTI |date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102194305/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gwalior-kozhikode-unesco-creative-cities-network-9009592/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=PM lauds inclusion of Gwalior, Kozhikode in UNESCO Creative Cities Network |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/pm-lauds-inclusion-of-gwalior-kozhikode-in-unesco-creative-cities-network-123110100606_1.html |access-date=3 November 2023 |work=Business Standard |agency=ANI |date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103100208/https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/pm-lauds-inclusion-of-gwalior-kozhikode-in-unesco-creative-cities-network-123110100606_1.html |url-status=live }}
== Tansen Music Festival ==
The Tansen Sangeet Samaroh (Tansen Music Festival) is celebrated every year on the Tansen Tomb in Gwalior during the month of December.{{cite web |url=http://travel.india.com/gwalior/activities/events-tansen-samaroh-in-gwalior |title=Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior |work=Travel India |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908112600/http://travel.india.com/gwalior/activities/events-tansen-samaroh-in-gwalior/ |archive-date=8 September 2015 |url-status=dead }} Tansen Samaroh is a platform where artists from all over India gather and participate to deliver vocal and instrumental performances. The Tansen Sangeet Samaroh is organised by the government of Madhya Pradesh, in association with the Academy of the Department of Culture. During the festival, music lovers and artists from all over the world gather to offer their tribute to Tansen. The academy offers honours to senior celebrities and junior artists by including them in the Samaroh through their performed music.
== Sarod Ghar ==
This Museum of Music has been set up in the old ancestral house of musician Hafiz Ali Khan. It houses ancient instruments of the Indian masters of the past. It also houses a collection of photographs and documents. Sarod Ghar is an institution devoted to promoting Indian classical music, heritage and culture. Through this 'window' to the past, music lovers can gain a better understanding of the evolution and history of Indian classical music and a deeper perspective and insight into the context of the art as it exists today.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}
=Media and communication=
There are newspapers, magazines, local TV stations and four FM radio stations in Gwalior.
Dainik Bhaskar is the leading and one of the oldest and most widely read newspapers. Swadesh and Naidunia are other well-established newspapers. More newspapers published in Gwalior are BPN Times, Raj Express, Dainik Madhya Raj, Nav Bharat, Youth Engine, Dainik Jagran, People's Samachar, Dainik Adityaz. Evening newspapers are Sandhya Samachaar, Gwalior Sandesh, Sudarshan Express.
"Aalekh-Life in Pages" is one of the leading youth magazine published and widely read across the city. SouLSteer magazine is a bi-monthly lifestyle and automotive magazine in Gwalior.
The radio industry has expanded with private FM channels being introduced. 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, transmits two terrestrial television channels. Major local channels include Hathway Win, Harsh Networks, KMJ Communications, and DEN networks.
= Sports =
Lakshmibai National University for Physical Education (operational since 1957) is the largest physical education institutions in Asia.{{cite web |url=http://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/100%20Days%20Progress%20Report.pdf |title=100 Days Progress Report.cdr |website=Yas.inc.in |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331130354/http://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/100%20Days%20Progress%20Report.pdf |archive-date=31 March 2015 |url-status=live }} Gwalior also has the Railway Hockey Stadium with artificial turf. Captain Roop Singh Stadium is a cricket ground with a capacity of 45,000. The stadium has hosted 10 One Day International (ODI) matches. Of the ten matches played so far, the first one was played between India and West Indies on 22 January 1988. The ground has flood lights and has also hosted day-night encounters. One match of the 1996 Cricket World Cup was also played on this ground, 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 and plays in the Indian Premier League. Athletics are also played in this city, Vishal Kaim was the youngest hammer thrower of India when he participated in National Athletics Games in 2006 at the age of 14 years.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
== Stadium and Sports University ==
File:Captain Roop singh stadium in Flood Lights Gwalior - panoramio.jpg]]
- Captain Roop Singh Stadium is a cricket ground in Gwalior. The stadium has hosted ten One Day International (ODI) matches. Of the ten matches played so far, the first one was played between India and West Indies on 22 January 1988. It can hold 45,000 people at a time. It was originally a hockey stadium named after great Indian hockey player Roop Singh, brother of hockey player Dhyan Chand. The ground has flood lights and has hosted day-night encounters as well. One match of the 1996 Cricket World Cup was also played on this ground, between India and West Indies. This ground is notable for hosting the ODI between India and South Africa in which Sachin Tendulkar scored the first-ever double century in ODI cricket.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indvrsa2010/engine/current/match/441828.html |title=2nd ODI: India v South Africa at Gwalior, Feb 24, 2010 | Cricket Scorecard |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002212135/http://www.espncricinfo.com/indvrsa2010/engine/current/match/441828.html |archive-date=2 October 2015 |url-status=live }}
- The Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior was established by the Ministry of Education & Culture, Government of India as Lakshmibai College of Physical Education (LCPE) in August 1957, the centenary year of the War of Independence. It is located at Gwalior, where Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, a heroine of the war, died during the rebellion in 1857. The Institute started as an affiliated college of the Vikram University, Ujjain and then came to the folds of Jiwaji University, Gwalior in 1964. The institute was given the status of National importance, and hence it was renamed as Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE) in 1973. In recognition of its unique status and character and to facilitate its further growth, the college was conferred the status of an ′Autonomous College′ of Jiwaji University, Gwalior in 1982.
- Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia International Cricket Stadium at Shankargarh is a newly built international stadium at Gwalior West. It has a seating capacity of around 100,000 spectators. It is also equipped with flood lights for night matches, 9 full length pitches, a swimming pool, sauna bath, modern gym, dressing rooms, 30 corporate boxes, media rooms, practise area, conference halls.{{cite web |url=http://soulsteer.com/new-international-cricket-stadium-to-open-at-shankarpur-gwalior/ |title=New international cricket stadium to open at Shankarpur, Gwalior |publisher=SouLSteer |date=3 March 2015 |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724225654/http://soulsteer.com/new-international-cricket-stadium-to-open-at-shankarpur-gwalior/ |archive-date=24 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium - Cricket Ground in Gwalior, India |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricket-grounds/shrimant-madhavrao-scindia-cricket-stadium-gwalior-1447330 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 February 2025 |language=en}}
- The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training Centre for Disability Sports – Gwalior (formerly Centre for Disability Sports) is an autonomous body established by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India.{{cite web |title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training Centre For Disability Sports - Gwalior {{!}} India |url=https://cdsgwalior.nic.in/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125095224/https://cdsgwalior.nic.in/ |archive-date=25 January 2025 |language=en |url-status=live |website=Ministry of social justice & welfare, Government of India}}
- The Railway Hockey Stadium, Gwalior is one of the largest and well equipped morden hockey stadium situated in the city.{{Cite web |last=NCR Railway Hockey Stadium, Gwalior |first=Hockey Stadium |date=14 August 2022 |title=Railway Hockey Stadium |url=https://www.patrika.com/gwalior-news/gwalior-railway-hockey-stadium-news-7711563/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815072810/https://www.patrika.com/gwalior-news/gwalior-railway-hockey-stadium-news-7711563/ |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=Patrika}}
Education
{{more citations needed section|date=February 2020}}
File:Madhav Institute of Technology & Science.jpg
Gwalior has developed into a significant centre of education. It hosts several prominent government and private universities and institutions including the following:
=Universities in Gwalior=
class="wikitable sortable" | ||
University | Type | Location |
---|---|---|
Amity University, Gwalior | Private University | Airport Road, Maharajpura |
ITM University | Private University | Opp. Sithouli Railway Station, NH-75 Sithouli, Gwalior |
Jiwaji University | State Government University | University road, City Centre |
Raja Mansingh Tomar Music & Arts University | State university | Vivekanand Needam Road |
Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (RVSKVV) | State university | Racecourse Road |
=Prominent institutes in Gwalior=
class="wikitable sortable"
|+ | ||
Institute | Type | Location |
---|---|---|
Gajara Raja Medical College(GRMC) | State Government | Heritage Theme Road, Lashkar |
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (IIITM) | Central Government | Stone Park Road |
Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE)
|Central Government |Racecourse Road | ||
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management | Central Government | Govindpuri |
Border Security Force Academy
|Central Government |Tekanpur | ||
Officer's Training Academy (OTA)
|Central Government |Station Road | ||
Madhav Institute of Technology and Science(MITS) | Scindia Trust | Racecourse Road |
Maharani Laxmi Bai Govt. College of Excellence (MLB College) | State Government | Katora Taal, Heritage Theme Road |
Rustamji Institute of Technology (RJIT) | Manage and Governs by BSF educational body | BSF Academy, Tekanpur |
Gwalior has six Kendriya Vidyalayas (managed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India), several engineering and technological institutes, and more than thirty affiliated engineering colleges. The city is home to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan – Zonal Institute of Education and Training (Under Ministry of Education). The ZIET Gwalior is an institution that provides national level training to the teachers inducted to teach at Kendriya Vidyalayas across India.{{Cite web |title=ZIET-Gwalior |url=https://kvsangathan.nic.in/en/ziets/ |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=KVS |date=28 October 2024}}
Notable schools in Gwalior include Scindia School (a boarding school for boys), Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya (a boarding school for girls), No.1 Air Force School, Carmel Convent School, Army Public School, Podar International School, Seth M.R. Jaipuria School and Delhi Public School.
Gwalior Metro and suburbs
The 2011 census put the population of Gwalior's urban area / metropolitan region, comprising Gwalior and Morar Cantonment, at 1,117,740.{{cite web |title=Gwalior Urban Region |url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/metropolitan/245-gwalior.html |website=census2011.co.in |date=2011 |access-date=10 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125100932/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/metropolitan/245-gwalior.html |archive-date=25 November 2017 |url-status=live }}
= Old City (Fort Gwalior) =
The old city of Gwalior, commonly called Fort Gwalior is around {{convert|1|km}} from Hazira, the largest area in old city, which is of considerable size but irregularly built. It lies at the eastern base of the rock and contains the tomb of the Sufi saints, Khwaja Khanoon and Muhammad Ghaus, erected during the early part of Mughal emperor Akbar's reign, the tomb of Mian Tansen, a great singer and one of the 'Nine Jewels' of Akbar's court, Ladkhan (Lahori) Gate facing towards Lahore, Shahi Jami Masjid built by Mughal governor Motamid Khan, Badalgarh and Gurjari Mahal. The old city earlier called by the name of Ghauspura as it is situated near the tomb of Muhammed Ghaus. The fort city consisted of some streets and mohallas which are presumed to be 700 to 800 yrs old localities in gwalior which are still congested due to improper management of old city (Ghauspura) these old areas are as follows.
- Koteshwar Temple. This temple is a 700-year-old temple of Lord Shiva whose shivling was on Gwalior Fort, but when the Mughals conquered it they ordered the shivling thrown out. When the troops did that, the shivling was automatically established in a field below the fort without any harm. Muslim Gazi told the emperor not to harm the shivling. In the late 18th century Scindias built a temple for that shivling, now known as Koteshwar Mahadev.
- Baba Kapoor- this place is 500 meters away from Ghas Mandi. This place was named Baba Kapoor because of saint Shah Abdul Gafoor.
- Kashi Naresh ki gali- this a 600-year-old residential street in Gwalior it was given name as Kashi Naresh ki gali because in the 14th century when the emperor of Kashi was defeated in war he was sent to exile by oppositions at that time Gwalior emperor and Kashi's emperor were good friends when Kashi's emperor told Gwalior's emperor whole story, emperor gave him an entire street for living at that time which is now known as Kashi Naresh ki Gali. their family even now resides there in Kashi Naresh ki gali in Rajaji Ka Bada. (Meanings: naresh = king = rajaji; gali = street in Hindi language; bada = big area.)
= {{vanchor|Lashkar}} Subcity =
The name of Lashkar is a Persian word meaning 'army' or 'camp', as this was originally the camp, and later 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 central focus of Lashkar, with a large square, a former opera house, banks, tea, coffee and juice stands and a municipal market building. Thriving bazaars surround the chowk. Many jewellery shops are situated near Jayaji Chowk, also known as Maharaj Bada. A source of water for the city is Tighra Dam, built on the Saank river 20 km to the north. The Gajra Raja Medical College, founded in 1946 by the Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia and the Maharani Vijayaraje Scindia, is situated in Lashkar on Palace Road, near Katora Taal, together with a group of hospitals.
Jai Vilas Palace, patterned on the French palace of Versailles, is located here.
= Morar Cantonment =
Morar Cantonment, formerly a separate town, lies {{convert|5|km}} east of the old city. It was formerly a British military cantonment. Morar is generally considered a rural farming town. The area is known as the "green part" of Gwalior because much of the area is still rural.
Morar was the scene of the most serious uprising in Central India. On 1 June 1858, Jayajirao led his forces to Morar to fight a rebel army led by Tatya Tope, Rani Lakshmibai and Rao Sahib. This army had 7,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry and 12 guns while he had only 1,500 cavalry, his bodyguard of 600 men and 8 guns. In this attack, the rebel cavalry took the guns and most of the Gwalior forces except the bodyguard went over to the rebels (some deserted). The Maharaja and the remainder fled without stopping until they reached the British garrison at Agra.Edwardes, Michael (1975) Red Year. London: Sphere Books; p. 124 By 1900 it had become a centre for local trade and had an important training industry, with a population of 19,179 in 1901.
The Sun Temple is situated in Morar at Residency Road.
The cantonment area makes up a large area of Morar which contains official residences for the Indian Army. It has many canteens for Army personnel. Saint Paul's School and Pragati Vidyapeeth School are nearby. There is an air force base in the Pinto Park region.
= Thatipur =
Thatipur is said to have got its name from State Army Unit 34, which once resided there. Gandhi Road divides Thatipur into two areas. Morar at one end of the road and Balwant Nagar on the other.
Thatipur primarily consists of residential areas like Darpan Colony, Madhav Rao Scindhiya Enclave, the government blocks, Vivek Nagar, and Suresh Nagar. Places of note are the Dwarikadhish Mandir, Bhagwan colony, Tomar building, Chauhan Pyaau (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
The prominent hospitals of Gwalior include Gajara Raja Medical College and the associated J.A. Hospital, Kamla Raja Hospital, Sahara Hospital, Mascot Hospital, BIMR Hospital, Cancer Hospital & Research Institute and many private doctor clinics. The Cancer Hospital & Research Institute is a nationally acclaimed medical centre in Oncology. There is also a charitable hospital named SATCH (Shri Anandpur Trust Charitable Hospital) which provides free treatment. There is a government Ayurvedic college and a private homoeopathic college (Vasundhara Raje Homoeopathic Medical College) which is run by the Biochemic and Homoeopathic Association of Gwalior, also providing health care education and services.
Future developments
Gwalior West is being developed as a "Counter Magnet" project with funding support from the National Capital Region.{{cite web |title=Study on Counter Magnet Areas to Delhi and NCR |url=http://ncrpb.nic.in/pdf_files/07_chapter4_cma.pdf |website=ncrpb.nic.in/cma_study.php |publisher=National Capital Region (India) Planning Board |date=2008 |access-date=5 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519033718/http://ncrpb.nic.in/pdf_files/07_chapter4_cma.pdf |archive-date=19 May 2016 |url-status=live }} It has been introduced to increase investment in education, industry and real estate. This is hoped to counteract the closing of manufacturers such as Hotline, Cimmco and Grasim Gwalior.
Gwalior is selected for the establishment for second AIIMS after Bhopal AIIMS.{{Cite web |last=Patrika |first=AIIMS in Gwalior |date=24 January 2025 |title=AIIMS to be setup in Gwalior |url=https://www.patrika.com/gwalior-news/cm-mohan-yadav-big-announcement-to-open-new-aiims-in-mp-know-where-will-be-built-19263140 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226073923/https://www.patrika.com/gwalior-news/cm-mohan-yadav-big-announcement-to-open-new-aiims-in-mp-know-where-will-be-built-19263140 |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=Patrika}}
Britannia has announced to setup a wafer factory in Gwalior.
The Gwalior Master plan launched by the local collector and municipal corporation initiates to improve the basic civic infrastructure of the city to meet the growing population of the city as well as to make the city beautiful for tourists.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
Architecture
= Gwalior Fort =
{{Overly detailed|section|date=August 2017|reason=There is a separate article on Gwalior Fort. Most of this content belongs there. A paragraph is sufficient here.}}
{{main|Gwalior Fort}}
File:Gwalior fort front side view.JPG
At the heart of Gwalior is Gwalior Fort of the Tomara dynasty. This structure was reputed to be one of the most structurally sound forts of India, having been improved by Raja Man Singh Tomar where a previous structure existed. It occupies an isolated rock outcrop. The hill is steepened to make it virtually unscalable and is surrounded by high walls which enclose buildings from several periods. The old town of Gwalior lies at the eastern base of the fortress. Lashkar, founded by Daulat Rao Scindia, formerly a separate town that originated as a military camp, lies to the south, and Morar, also a formerly separate town, lies to the east. Gwalior, Lashkar and Morar are part of the Gwalior Municipal Corporation.{{cite web |url=http://gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org/gwalior_municipal_corporation_history.aspx |title=Gwalior Municipal Corporation History |website=Gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org |date=1 July 1912 |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618141555/http://gwaliormunicipalcorporation.org/gwalior_municipal_corporation_history.aspx |archive-date=18 June 2015 |url-status=live }}
The Fort, popularly called "the Gibraltar of India", overlooks the city. The Emperor Babur reputedly described it as "the pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind". This fort's architecture is unique. It displays a Chinese influence on Indian architecture, as Chinese dragons have been crafted at the hilt of the pillars. This influence was due to trade between China and India at the time of the fort's construction.
After the death of Sher Shah Suri in 1545, who was ruling North India at that time, his son Islam Shah shifted his capital from Delhi to Gwalior and constructed 'Sher Shah Mandir' (or 'Sher Shah Fort') in his father's memory. Islam Shah operated from Gwalior until his death in 1553. Islam Shah had appointed the Hindu warrior 'Hemu' or Hem Chandra Vikramaditya as his Prime Minister in Sher Shah Fort for the first time, who later on became the Hem Chandra Vikramaditya king at Delhi and established 'Hindu Raj' in North India.
In the east of the city are two examples of early Mughal architecture: the mausoleum 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 on demand of his consort Gujar princess Mrignayani.{{cite book |title=Census of India, 1961, Volume 14, Issue 5 |author=India (Republic) Office of the Registrar General |publisher=Manager of Publications |year=1972 |page=11 }}{{cite web |title=Gujari Mahal Museum - Exploring the Hidden Treasures of Gwalior |url=https://www.mptourism.com/gujari-mahal-state-archaeological-museum-gwalior.html |website=Madhya Pradesh Tourism |access-date=4 February 2025 |language=en |date=31 October 2023}}
Close to the heart of the city is Jai Vilas Palace of the Scindia dynasty, patterned on the palace of Versailles. It combines Tuscan, Italian and Corinthian styles of architecture.
Historically and architecturally, Gwalior is interesting first as an ancient seat of Jain worship; second for its example of palace architecture of the Hindu period between 1486 and 1516; and third as an historic fortress. Many historical places are found near the Dabra-Bhitarwar Road. Prior to the founding of Gwalior, the region was also known by its ancient name of Gopasetra. Gwalior had an institutional seat of the Bhattarakas of Kashtha Sangh and later Mula Sangh.
= Gopachal =
{{Main|Gopachal}}
{{Multiple image
| image1 = Gwalior jain.jpg
| caption1 = Siddhachal Caves
| image2 = Gopachal (4).jpg
| caption2 = Gopachal
| width2 = 150
| footer = Rock cut images of the Tirthankaras in Gwalior
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Gopachal Parvat is situated on the mountainous terrain at the slopes of Gwalior Fort. Gopachal Parvat contains unique statues of Jain Tirthankaras. The idol of Parshvanath seated on a lotus (carved out of a single stone) is the largest in the world, towering at {{convert|14|metres|feet}} in height and {{convert|9|metres|feet}} in breadth. There is a series of 26 Jain statues in a single line. Built between 1398 and 1536 by Tomar kings, these Jain Tirthankar statues are one of a kind in architecture.
= Siddhachal Caves =
{{Main|Siddhachal Caves}}
Jain rock-cut sculptures of Siddhachal Caves – A striking part of the Jain remains at Gwalior is a series of caves or rock-cut sculptures, excavated in the rock on all sides, and numbering nearly a hundred, great and small. Most of them are mere niches to hold statues, though some are cells that may have been originally intended for residences. According to inscriptions, they were all excavated within a short period of about thirty-three years, between 1441 and 1474.{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/madhya-pradesh-and-chhattisgarh/gwalior/sights/other/jain-rock-sculptures |title=Jain Rock Sculptures |author=Lonely Planet |work=Lonely Planet |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073000/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/madhya-pradesh-and-chhattisgarh/gwalior/sights/other/jain-rock-sculptures |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }} One of the colossal figures is {{cvt|57|ft|m}} high, taller than any other in northern India.{{Citation needed|date=September 2018}}
= Sas-Bahu Temples =
{{Main|Sas-Bahu Temple}}
= Teli Temple =
{{Main|Teli ka Mandir}}
File:Teli ka Mandir (15699755834)2.jpg
Teli Temple or in Hindi Teli Ka Mandir – A structure of about 100 feet, Teli Ka Mandir in Gwalior Fort distinguishes itself from the other compositions of its time because of its unique architecture. The temple bears a close resemblance to the temple of Prathihara Vishnu, and is filled with images of coiled serpents, passionate couples, river goddesses, and a flying Garuda. The temple architecture follows the Indo-Aryan and Nagara styles and is believed to be among the oldest constructions in the fort. The Telikā Mandir, or 'oil-man's temple', owes its name to Teli, a term for an oil grinder or oil dealer. Many suggestions have been put forward to explain this name historically, but in fact the name is not old, the temple being used for processing oil before the British occupied the fort and used the building, albeit temporarily, as a coffee shop. The Telikā Mandir is the loftiest temple among all the buildings in Gwalior Fort with a height of about 30 meters. The temple consists of a garba griha, that is, sanctum proper for the deity, and an antarala to enter into the temple. It can be approached by a flight of steps provided on the eastern side. The most striking feature of the temple is the wagon-vaulted roof, a form used over rectangular shrines which normally accommodated a row of Mother Goddesses.M. Willis, Temples of Gopakṣetra: A Regional History of Architecture in Central India (London, 1996). The goddesses from the interior vanished centuries ago and have not been traced. The exterior walls of the temple are decorated with sculptures, many of which are damaged; the niches, shaped like temples, are empty. The building carries a dedicatory inscription to the goddess in a niche on the southern side, but otherwise does not have any history.Willis, Inscriptions of Gopakṣetra: Materials for the History of Central India (London, 1995), illustration. The architectural style points to a date in the late 8th Century.Willis, Temples of Gopakṣetra. The entrance gateway on the eastern side is a later addition of the British period, made by Major Keith in 1881. It was built as a way of saving various historic pillars and other pieces no longer in their original context.
= Other monuments =
- Gurudwara Daata Bandi Chhorh- Gwalior Fort also has the Gurudwara, built in the memory of the sixth Sikh, Guru Har Gobind. This Gurudwara is particularly large and grand, built entirely of marble with coloured glass decorating the main building. Recital of the Guru Granth Sahib takes place here and Mughal kings used to visit Gwalior regularly. There is a Gurdwara that was converted to a mandir of "kalli devi" and process is on to take it back by Sikhs.
- Italian Garden - It is the most beautiful garden built in 19th century. It was a private garden used by the ladies of the Gwalior royal family. It design is Italian design which makes it unique. The garden is situated the central part of Gwalior.{{Cite web |last=District Gwalior |first=Italian Garden |date=24 February 2024 |title=The asthetic garden - Italian Garden |url=https://gwalior.nic.in/en/tourist-place/italian-garden/ |access-date=24 February 2024 |website=Government of Madhya Pradesh - Gwalior}}
- Geo Science Museum - The Gwalior Geoscience Museum is India's first geological museum serves as a gateway to the wonders of Earth's story a sanctuary of knowledge where science and art converge to inspire curiosity. It houses two exceptional galleries, offering a glimpse into the mysteries of our planet and the chronicles of life's journey through time.{{Cite web |last=Geological Survey of India |first=Geo Science Museum, Gwalior |date=15 December 2024 |title=Vice President integrates India's first Geo Science Museum in Gwalior |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2084593 |access-date=23 February 2025 |website=Press Release - The Vice President of India}}
- Municipality Museum, is situated a little distance from Rani Lakshmibai's tomb.
- Atal Museum - The Atal Museum has been established to commemorate the life of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It includes belongings and memories of Vajpayee from his Gwalior days.{{Cite web |last=Museum |first=Atal Museum, Gwalior |date=5 January 2024 |title=Government established Atal Museum in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Gwalior |url=https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/gwalior-atal-museum-in-gwalior-museum-will-be-equipped-with-holographic-technology-atal-ji-will-be-seen-advising-on-pokhran-test-8264509 |access-date=23 February 2025 |website=Nai dunia}}
- Modern 5D is Madhya Pradesh's first multi-dimensional theatre launched in the 2011 trade fair of Gwalior. It was built by Gwalior's leading enterprise Modern Techno Projects (P) Ltd. Modern 5D is recognised as India's first own multi-dimensional theatre.
- Shyam Vatika is a banquet hall which has the world's largest indoor mural, as recognised by Guinness World Records.
- Adhyatma Niketan is an important ashram near Gwalior Fort.
- Within the fort are some marvels of medieval architecture like the Man Mandir Palace, Jehangir Palace, Vikram Mandir Palace etc. The 15th century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his Gujar Queen, Mrignayani. The outer structure of Gujari Mahal has survived in an almost total state of preservation; the interior has been converted into an archaeological museum housing rare antiquities, some of them dating back to the 1st century A.D. Many of these have been defaced by the iconoclastic Mughals.
:{{Further|topic=a memorial stone in the archaeological museum|Hāsalpur inscription of Nāgavarman}}
File:Jaivilas palace gwalior - panoramio - Gyanendrasinghchauha….jpg
=Jai Vilas Palace=
{{main|Jai Vilas Mahal}}
Jai Vilas Palace, is the residential palace turned museum of the Maratha rulers of Gwalior – the Scindias. The palace has notable collections of antiques. The museum is one of the largest in Madhya Pradesh and has the world's largest chandelier {{Citation needed|date=September 2018}} and the complex is a mixture of British and Hindu architecture.
The palace was constructed in 1874 as an attempt to bring the palace of Versailles to Gwalior.
=Tombs and Chatris of historic importance=
- Chatris of Scindias is situated close to the city near Achaleshwar temple and is the burial place for the Scindias who ruled the city for numerous years. Designated persons like Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia, Vijayaraje Scindia and His Highness Jivajirao Scindia were cremated here.
- Tansen's tomb: Gwalior is the birthplace of the musician Tansen. He was one of the "Nine Gems of Akbar".{{cite web |url=http://www.gktoday.in/navratnas-of-akbar-9-gems/ |title=Navratnas of Akbar (9 Gems) – General Knowledge Today |website=Gktoday.in |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702111511/http://www.gktoday.in/navratnas-of-akbar-9-gems/ |archive-date=2 July 2015 |url-status=live }}
- Gaus Mohammad's tomb: The tombs of Great Gaus Mohammad and Tansen are situated on the same territory.
- Tomb of Rani Lakshmibai, a famous freedom fighter, at Phoolbag area. It is here where she died in 1858 fighting against the British. It is also her burial place.
=Sun Temple=
Located in {{section link||Morar Cantonment}}, the Sun Temple "Vivsvaan mandir" is dedicated to the sun god Surya. Designed as a facsimile of the Sun temple of Konark in Odisha, the temple was sponsored and built in the 1980s by the Birla family.{{cite book |title=Temples of Madhya Pradesh |publisher=Goodearth Publications |isbn=978-93-8026249-9 |page=49 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=THW_OkoTuE4C&q=Surya&pg=PA49|access-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425183416/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=THW_OkoTuE4C&pg=PA49&dq=Surya |archive-date=25 April 2018 |url-status=live }}
The temple is in a garden within the temple premises. The temple draws the locals and tourists alike who gather to render their prayers. Before the temple was built the gardens had the name Tapovan. The gardens were the location of an ill-fated attempt to introduce african lions by the Maharaja of Gwalior State.{{cite book |last1=Mitra |first1=Sudipta |title=Gir Forest and the Saga of the Asiatic Lion |date=2005 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-183-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J0rME6RjC1sC&pg=PA213|access-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720105443/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=J0rME6RjC1sC&pg=PA213& |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live }}
In popular culture
- There are several movies, series and daily soaps shot and filmed in Gwalior of which few have been mentioned below.
- Luka Chuppi, a 2019 Hindi-language film starring Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon is largely set in Gwalior.{{cite news |date=5 February 2019 |title=Luka Chuppi: Kriti Sanon shares memories of shooting in Gwalior and Mathura |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/050219/luka-chuppi-kriti-sanon-shares-memories-of-shooting-in-gwalior-and-ma.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728132043/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/050219/luka-chuppi-kriti-sanon-shares-memories-of-shooting-in-gwalior-and-ma.html |archive-date=28 July 2024 |access-date=28 July 2024 |work=Deccan Chronicle}}
- Kalank, a 2019 movie produced under the banner of Dharma productions starring Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan was shot in Gwalior.{{Cite web |last=Aaj Tak |first=Kalank Movie |date=1 December 2024 |title=Alia Bhatt shooting in Gwalior |url=https://www.aajtak.in/entertainment/story/alia-bhatt-shoots-gwalior-fort-for-film-kalank-share-photo-tmov-637550-2019-01-12 |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=Aaj Tak}}
- Janhit Mein Jaari, a 2022 movie starring Nusrat Bharuccha was shot in Gwalior.{{Cite web |last=Janhit mein Jaari |first=Shooting in Gwalior |date=1 December 2024 |title=Janhit Mein Jaari Shoot |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/nushrratt-bharuccha-s-janhit-mein-jaari-shoot-paused-after-crew-tests-covid-positive-1872754-2021-11-03 |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=India Today}}
- Vadh, a psychological thriller murder movie was set and shot in Gwalior.
- Kathal, a comedy movie was majorly shot in Gwalior.{{Cite web |last=Indian Express |first=Kathal Shooting, Gwalior |date=20 March 2023 |title=Kathal Movie |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/what-sanya-malhotra-had-to-do-to-play-a-cop-in-kathal-8618627/ |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=Indian Express}}
- Apart from these several other web series and Ad films were shot in Gwalior.
Notable people
- Kartik Aaryan, actor, born and brought up in Gwalior
- Vivek Agnihotri, Indian film director, screenwriter and author born and brought up in Gwalior
- Iftikar Hussain Akhtar, Indian Urdu poet from Gwalior
- Javed Akhtar, poet, lyricist and writer, born and brought up in Gwalior
- Jan Nisar Akhtar, Indian poet and lyricist born and brought up in Gwalior
- Meet Bros, musicians and composers born and brought up in Gwalior
- Nida Fazli, Urdu writer and poet
- Muhammad Ghawth, Indian Sufi saint, poet and author
- Shifa Gwaliori, Indian Urdu poet
- Pawan Karan, Indian major Hindi poet and writer
- Anurag Kashyap, Indian Filmmaker. He did his schooling at Scindia School, Gwalior.
- Abhay Karandikar, secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science and Technology
- Sharad Kelkar, actor, born and brought up in Gwalior
- Amjad Ali Khan, sarod player and musician born and brought up in Gwalior
- Arbaaz Khan, Indian actor. He did his schooling at Scindia School in Gwalior
- Salman Khan, Indian actor. He did his schooling at Scindia School in Gwalior
- Bihari Lal, Hindi poet
- Arun Kumar Mishra, Judge of the Supreme Court of India born in Gwalior
- Piyush Mishra, Indian film and theatre actor, music director, lyricist, singer, scriptwriter, born and brought up in Gwalior
- 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.{{Cite news |last=Bhattacharya |first=Suryasarathi |date=7 April 2018 |title=How the world's first female vichitra veena player found the instrument that spoke to her soul |url=https://www.firstpost.com/living/how-the-worlds-first-female-vichitra-veena-player-found-the-instrument-that-spoke-to-her-soul-4415887.html |work=Firstpost |access-date=11 June 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018034045/https://www.firstpost.com/living/how-the-worlds-first-female-vichitra-veena-player-found-the-instrument-that-spoke-to-her-soul-4415887.html |url-status=live }}
- Daulat Rao Sindhia
- Jankoji Rao Scindia II
- Jayaji Rao Scindia
- Jiwajirao Scindia
- Jyotiraditya Scindia
- Madhavrao Scindia
- Madho Rao Scindia
- Vijaya Raje Scindia
- Yashodhara Raje Scindia
- Mamta Sharma, singer, born in Gwalior
- Pran Kumar Sharma, cartoonist and comic creator of Chacha Chaudhary fame moved here after the Partition
- Vishnu Dutt Sharma, politician, BJP Madhya Pradesh state president, born and brought up in Gwalior
- 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, former Agriculture Minister in Modi Government, born and brought up in Gwalior
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, Hindi poet, politician and journalist, born and brought up in Gwalior
- Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, Hindi writer, born in Gwalior
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{NSRW Poster}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928054146/http://gwalior.nic.in/ Official Website of Gwalior]
- [http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/search/collection/ic/searchterm/R%20Nath!Gwalior/field/creato!covera/mode/all!all/conn/and!and/order/title R. Nath Mughal Architecture Image Collection, Images from Gwalior] – University of Washington Digital Collection
{{Million-plus cities in India}}
{{Gwalior Division}}
{{Gwalior topics}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Cities in Madhya Pradesh