Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)

This is a long journey by road from Delhi (nearly 9 hours in 2004) and there were a few problems finding a route to the fort palace despite the fact that it covers the whole of the ridge above the town.

The sandstone ridge rises 100 metres above the plain and is almost 3 kilometres in length.
There are many rock carvings along the access road of various deities, some quite large such as that of Adinath (one of the Jain saints).




Records indicate that a fortress of some type has existed here from at least the 6th Century and it houses no less than six “palaces”, although four were very small and are now completely ruined.


The main palace is the 15th Century Man Mandir built by Raja Man Singh and
it’s in good condition with ornate coloured tiles around the exterior a particular feature.

Elephants are a particular feature!









Best preserved inside the Palace is the Dancing Hall Courtyard that has some very impressive carved balcony supports running around it and is richly decorated with blue glazed tiling.


The other remaining palace is the Gujari Mahal which now houses an archaeological museum. This palace is built in two storeys of cut stone and comparatively plain by comparison with the Man Mandir.

Other buildings on the ridge include temples and a large Gurudwara in addition to some military barracks and a school.

Gwalior fort and palace photo collection:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ucm6mq5fvyv269m/AABIR5iDi5JiXeoIZoasKe7wa?dl=0

More on the Gwalior Fort:
http://www.indiasite.com/madhyapradesh/gwalior/gwaliorfort.html

The highlight of the city in the plain is the Jai Vilas palace which is very luxurious with a fantastic garden in the quadrangle around which the palace is built.

The palace is still in use but also houses an extensive arms and armour museum.

The large Darbar (Banqueting) Hall is very impressive and where guests were served using a silver train with cut glass wagons that would run on the miniature rails around the room.

Jai Vilas palace photo collection:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ucm6mq5fvyv269m/AABIR5iDi5JiXeoIZoasKe7wa?dl=0

More on the Jai Vilas palace:
http://www.holidayiq.com/Jai-Vilas-Mahal-Gwalior-Sightseeing-369-944.html