Gwalior Tourism - Madhya-Pradesh

Known for its rich cultural heritage, the city of Gwalior has played an integral role in Indian history from ancient times, through the medieval era, and later during the Moghul and British colonial rule. The bustling city atop a hill, is dominated by the Gwalior fort which has been the battleground for many struggles for power. Today Gwalior is an important tourist destination due to its historical and architectural significance, as well as for being a pre-medieval centre of Jainism. Gwalior according to ancient history was Gopalkash, said to be the same place where Bhima from the epic Mahabharata attained victory. Archeological excavations reveal that the city dates back to the middle Stone ages and Iron Age. The actual city was founded back in the 8^th A.D. by Suraj Sen, the head of the Kachwaha clan. Legend has it, that a sage called Gwalipa, cured him of leprosy and thus the king named his city Gwalior. The city became the seat of power for many dynasties to come. From the 11^th - 15^th century, the medieval era saw the rule of Rajputs. This was followed by intervention by the Mughals, who were dethroned by the Rajput ruler Raja Man Singh, but only for a short while.