History of Gwalior City: Uncovering Few Amazing Facts

Gwalior is a major city and a district of northern Madhya Pradesh in central India. Presently, Gwalior city is one the nine counter magnet cities around NCR. But the history of Gwalior city has even more interesting facts of several centuries, ruled by different monarchy governments. The city also introduced Gwalior Gharana, one of the oldest forms of Indian classical music. Gwalior city is also a famous tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh, India with several historical monuments.

Gwalior, the name of the city arrived from the word Gopachal, the hill appearing at the south of the city. Another famous story describes Suraj Sen, a local chieftain named the city after a saint Gwalipa.

Ancient and Medieval age history of Gwalior

During between 4th and 6th century, the Gupta dynasty kings have ruled the teritorries of Gwalior. Although no Gupta art or archiecture is available at Gwalior. But several historical references of Gupta period found in the nearby regions of Madhya Pradesh suggests the Gupta kings have definitely ruled the territory.

Earliest known reference of gwalior history dates back to 6^th century CE. Gopachal parvat, the hill that atops the gigantic Gwalior fort, houses several rock cut Jain monuments. These rock cut monuments, ranging between 7^th to 15^th century, confirms footprints of several dynasties and the rich history of ancient Gwalior region.

Traces of Huna rule: Mihirakula inscription of Gwalior

Gwalior inscription of Mihirakula, the stone inscription of 6^th century CE, is the oldest record of Gwalior history. The Sanskrit inscription also substantiates Huna rule in the ancient history of Gwalior. Mihirakula, in his inscription, described his father Toranamana as ‘a ruler of earth, with great merit’. He governed his kingdom with truthfulness and justice. Gwalior inscription also describes Mihirakula as ‘the lord of the earth’ himself.

Mihirakula inscription of Gwalior also describes a his own construction of a Sun temple. The Mihirakula sun temple, however, doesn’t exist in present day. Kashmir text such as Rajatarangini describes Mihirakula as an extremely destructive ruler. Mandsaur piller inscription describes how the defeat of Mihirakula to the Malwa king Yashodharman brought end to his destruction.

Gurajara Pratihara footprint at Gwalior

Gurajara Pratihara period was an important phase in Gwalior history. Majoriry of history between 8^th – 10^th century is gathered from the scattered inscriptions found in and around Gwalior.

Nagabhatta-1, the founder of Gurjara Pratihara dynasty, acquired Gwalior around 750 CE. The Gurajara Pratihara dynasty ruled the historical province of Gwalior until the middle of 10^th century.

Kachchhapaghata Rajput control over Gwalior

History of Gwalior between 10^th – 12^th century is majorly based on the discrete inscriptions in and around the town. Sihoniya inscription of 977 CE describes that Kachchhapaghata king Vajradaman captured Gopadri (Gwalior) from the Pratihara king of Gadhinagara. The dynasty ruled Gwalior untill late 12^th century.

Sultan Mahmud’s invasion

Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni invaded the town and fort of Gwalior in 1022 CE. Mahmud sieged Gwalior fort four days seige and only returned against the tribute of 35 elephants from the ruling Kachchhapaghata king.

Delhi Sultanate reign

Sultan Iltutmish established Delhi Sultanate rule at Gwalior in 1231 CE, after a long seize of 11 months. Delhi Sultane ruled the region until late 14^th century.

During the early 1390s, Muhammad Shah Tughlaq visited Etawah, met his Tomara Rajput feud Veer Singh Dev. However, Veer Singh rebelled numerously sensing the state of frequent civil wars at Delhi. Muhammad Shah, however, neutralised the rebels for the time being. In 1394, Veer Singh Tomar captured Gwalior fort, with a surprise attack during a friendly dinner with the fort’s governor. Muhammad Shah wanted to send a campaign, but had to abandon due to internal civil wars and conspiracy. In such circumstances, Tomaras emerged at Gwalior quite effortlessly.

Tomar Rajput period at Gwalior

Tomar Rajputs ruled Gwalior between late 14^th and early 16^th century. Veersingh Dev, a feudatory of the Delhi Sultanate, established the Tomar dynasty in Gwalior in the 1390s. Man Singh Tomar was the last but most notable ruler of Gwalior. Man Singh Tomar’s death in 1516 eventually brought te Sulatns of Delhi back in power at Gwalior.

Mughal period at Gwalior

Babur in 1526 CE, established Mughal empire in India. Gwalior as a result came under Mughal control. After death of Aurangzeb in 1707, Mughal dominance at Gwalior started declining.

Reign of Maratha empire: Gwalior State

Marathas rose to power at Gwalior during early 18^th century, with the decline of Mughal empire. Royal Scindia (alias, Shinde) family, military commanders under the Maratha Peshwas of Pune started governing Gwalior. Later during Aglo Maratha wars between 1775 and 1818, their authority over Gwalior weakened. With decline of Maratha empire, the Scindia dynasty of Gwalior accepted the British suzertainty. During late 18^th century, the territory became the princely state of Gwalior under the British.

Rani Lakshmibai and the revolt of 1857

Gwalior Fort had served as the base for Rani Lakshmi Bai, queen of Jhansi, following the rebellion of 1857. Rani Lakshmi Bai captured Gwalior Fort from the Scindias on 1^st June of 1858. Ironically, the Scindias fled to Agra for British support without any protest. However, British troop arrived on 16^th June. On the next day, 17^th June, during the battle with the British, Rani Lakshmibai was killed suffering a gunshot.

Cultural and architectural heritages of Gwalior

The history of Gwalior is further enriched with several architectural heritages present the district and town. Some of them reflect the cultural essence of the historical town of Gwalior.

Gwalior Fort

Gwalior fort in present form was built by Raja Man Singh Tomar during 16^th century, over an existing fort. Older fort of Gwalior was probably built during 11^th century, by the Kachchhapaghata Rajputs. The fort also has suffered sieges by Sultan Mahmud of Gazni and later by Sultan Iltutmish of Delhi.

Teli Ka Mandir

Gwalior fort complex houses several ancient and medieval age monuments. Teli ka Mandir (temple) inside Gwalior fort, is the most remarkable construction of the Pratihars. Mihir Bhoj, the most notable Pratihar king, built Teli Ka Mandir between mid of 8^th and early 9^th century.

Chaturbhuj Temple

Chatubhuja Temple is another Gwalior fort complex monument with intricate Gurjar Pratihar art. Alla, a nagar Brahmin of medival Gwalior, built the temple during 9^th century. A temple inscription describes his ancestral details.

Sas Bahu Temple

The twin temples of Sahastrabahu, now famous as Sas Bahu temple is another notable temple existing in the fort complex. Kachhapaghata Rajput kings built Sas Bahu temple during 11^th century. Decorated with exquisite crafting and carvings, Sas Bahu temple represents a remarkable Kachhapaghata art and architecture.

Tomar Rajput palaces

Tomar Rajputs constructed several monuments during 15^th and 16^th century inside Gwalior fort. Man Singh Tomar made Man Mandir and Gujari Mahal during 16^th century, the two most notable palaces of Gwalior fort. Apart form those, Karan Mahal and Vikram Mahal are the two other important palaces of the fort.

Tombs of Muhammad Ghaus and Tansen

Muhammad Ghaus, a Sufi saint and musician, supported Babur in acquisition of Gwalior in 1526. After Muhammad Ghaus died in 1562, Mughal emperor Akbar built his tomb at Gwalior. Later Akbar also built, his court’s musician Tansen at the same monument.

Cenotaph of Rani Lakshmi Bai

Wounded by a gun shot, Rani Lakshmi Bai took her last breath at the hut of a Saint, Ganga Das. He performed the last rituals of Rani Lakshmi Bai by burning his own hut, in order to protect her body from the British army. Rani Lakshmi Bai cenotaph was built later, at the funeral spot.

Jai Vilas Palace

Maharaja Jaiji Rao Scindia of Gwalior princely state, built Jai Vilas Mahal in 1874. Jai Vilas Palace features elements of Tuscan and Corinthian architecture of Europe.

Rise of Music: Gwalior Ghara and Tansen

Raja Man Singh Tomar’s patronage turned Gwalior into a major center of arts and culture. Gwalior Gharana, one of the oldest forms of Indian classical music rose to a great height during 15^th century. Man Singh Tomar probably invented Drhupad, a form of Indian classical music. Later with development of khayal singing, it marked key evolutions in Gwalior Gharana. Tansen, one of the great musicians in the Indian classical music’s history, emerged in Gwalior. Tansen later became one of the Navaratnas in the court of Akbar.

Integration with Persian elements further enriched Gwalior Gharana. Introduction of Sarod during 16th century, was another grand step ahead for Indian classical music.