Gwalior Fort Information History Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior Fort Information: The Gwalior Fort, present in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was built in the 8th century. This Fort is very important in the history of the country. This fort is one of the wonderful specimens of medieval architecture. Built of red sandstone, this fort is one of the largest forts in the country and has an important place in Indian history.

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The Gwalior Fort present in Gwalior was built in the 8th century. Spread over an area of three square kilometers, the height of this fort is 35 feet.

This fort is one of the wonderful specimens of medieval architecture. This is the main monument of Gwalior city which is situated on a small hill called Gopanchal. Built of red sandstone, this fort is one of the largest forts in the country and has an important place in Indian history.

History Of Gwalior Fort

According to the recorded data of historians, this fort was built in 727 AD by a local chieftain named Suryasen, who was a resident of Singhonia village, 12 km away from this fort. Many Rajput kings have ruled this fort.

After the establishment of the fort, it was ruled by the Pala dynasty for about 989 years. After this, it was ruled by the Pratihara dynasty. In 1023 AD, Mohammad Ghazni attacked this fort but he had to face defeat.

After a long siege in 1196 AD, Qutbuddin Aibak took this fort under his control but in 1211 AD he had to face defeat. Then in 1231 AD, Iltutmish, the founder of the slave dynasty, subdued it.

After this, Maharaja Devavaram established the Tomar kingdom at Gwalior. The most famous king of this dynasty was Mansingh (1486-1516) who built the Gujari Mahal for his wife Mrignayani. From 1398 to 1505 AD, this fort was ruled by the Tomar dynasty.

Mansingh accepted the subordination of Ibrahim Lodi during this period. After Lodi’s death, when Mansingh’s son Vikramaditya was invited by Humayun to the Delhi court, he refused to come. After this Babur attacked Gwalior and took it under his control and ruled it.

But Sher Shah Suri defeated Babur’s son Humayun and brought this fort under the Suri dynasty. After Sher Shah’s death in 1540, his son Islam Shah temporarily changed his capital from Delhi to Gwalior. After the death of Islam Shah, his successor Adil Shah Suri handed over the responsibility of defending Gwalior to Hem Chandra Vikramaditya (Hemu) and he went to Chunar.

Hemu then suppressed many revolts and won 22 battles between 1553-56. In 1556, Hemu defeated Akbar in Agra and Delhi in the second battle of Panipat and established Hindu Raj. After this Hemu changed his capital back to Delhi and started ruling from Purana Qila.

Akbar attacked the fort of Gwalior

Akbar attacked the fort of Gwalior and took it under his control and it was converted into a prison. After the Mughal dynasty, it was ruled by Rana and Jats, then the Marathas hoisted their flag on it.

In 1736, the Jat king Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana established his suzerainty over it and kept it under his control till 1756. In 1779, the Maratha Chhatrap of the Scindia clan won it and deployed an army in the fort.

But it was snatched by the East India Company. Then in 1780, its control went to Gond Rana Chhatar Singh who snatched it from the Marathas. After this Mahadji Scindia got it back in 1784. Between 1804 and 1844, the control of this fort kept changing between the British and Scindia.

However, after the battle of Maharajpur in January 1844, this fort finally came under the possession of Scindia.

On 1 June 1858, Rani Lakshmi Bai along with Maratha rebels captured this fort. But the rebels, busy celebrating this victory, were attacked by a British army led by General Hughes on 16 June.

Rani Laxmibai fought a lot and did not allow the British to capture the fort. But during this, she got shot and died the next day (on 17 June). In Indian history, it is described as the Battle of Gwalior. After the death of Lakshmi Bai, the British captured the fort within the next three days.

What To See In The Gwalior Fort?

The fort and its boundary wall are being taken care of very well. It has many historical monuments, Buddha and Jain temples, and palaces (Gujari Mahal, Mansingh Mahal, Mansingh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Karan Mahal, Shahjahan Mahal).

The fort is mainly divided into two parts. Main fort and palace (Gujari Mahal and Man Mandir Palace). These forts were built by Raja Man Singh. He built the Gujari Mahal for his beloved queen Mrignayani.

Now the Gujari Mahal has been converted into an archaeological museum. Rare sculptures that have been kept in this museum date back to the 1st AD. These idols have been received from the surrounding areas here.

Apart from this, you can see Teli Ka Mandir, Sahastrabahu Temple built in the 10th century, Bhim Singh’s Chhatri, and Scindia School.

How To Reach The Gwalior Fort

There are two ways to reach this fort. There is one called Gwalior Gate which can be reached only on foot. While other routes can also go by car at Urvai Gate. This fort is situated at an altitude of 350 feet. The main entrance of the fort is known as Hathi Pul which leads directly to the Maan Mandir Palace.

There are regular flights from Delhi, Bhopal, Indore, and Mumbai to Gwalior by air. And it is also connected to the major cities of the country by rail.