Amazing Facts about Gwalior Fort that you might never knew

The majestic structure famous for its monuments and forts is located in Madhya Pradesh. This fort is an iconic historic monument that express the culture of bygone era and, a bubbling tourist destination. The king who ruled Gwalior was suffering from leprosy, a disease with no cure during those times.

Gwalior

A sage, Gwalipa visited the palace and cured him. The king renamed his city after the sage. The sage cured the disease by offering water for a pond and the king built a fort, which included the region of the pond and named it as Gwalior fort.

Just like this interesting anecdote, the fort is filled with many interesting facts and legends that impresses every tourist who walks into the gates of the fort.

Gwalior Fort as prison

gwalior fort as a prison

The fort was built in 8th century and up to British rule, the fort was under the possession of different kings. The fort was used as a prison during the rule of Mughals. The fort was a political prison for royal people. For instance, Akbar’s cousin was held in the fort as a prisoner and was executed there. Many of Aurangzeb’s brothers and nephews were also executed in the fort. The fort underwent many changes in its interior and exterior from time to time as the rulers changed.

Annual trade fair for shopaholics

gwalior mela

Many interesting festivals and events take place inside the fort from time to time. The Annual Trade Fair takes place during winter season, which is famous for enjoying the culture of the land and also for shopping rare souvenirs. Other notable festivals are the music festival, Gwalior carnival and others.

Explore more about Fairs & Festivals of Gwalior 

Zero fort of India

gwalior fort

The fort is one of the largest forts in India. You are probably aware of the fact that Indians invented the ‘zero’. The second oldest record of usage of ‘zero’ in mathematics is found in a temple in the fort. The inscription is roughly 1500 years old.

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Geographical importance of Gwalior Fort

Geographical importance of Gwalior Fort

The place for the fort was not chosen blindly. The main city of the reign lies on the foothills of the fort. Thus, the fort makes a good watching tower for the city. The hill on which the fort is constructed is thin and steep which does not allow cavalry and other heavy war animals to climb, making the fort harder to penetrate.

The Tamarind Tree that can sweeten your voice

Tamarind Tree inside the Gwalior Fort

A Tamarind Tree stands inside the fort complex, which is said to be planted by Tansen, the great musician of his time. There is a common rumor of misbelieve that eating the leaves of this tree can sweeten ones voice like that of Tansen. It is also said that Tansen ate the leaves of the tree to gain his sweet voice.

Hindu temple in Muslim architecture

Garuda monument is a temple dedicated to Vishnu. This temple is located in the highest point of the fort. This Hindu temple is built in Muslim style.

1st BC statues inside the Gwalior fort

Man Singh is famous for his interest in science and mathematics. He built a palace in blue, green and yellow colored stones for his wife. He decorated it with many geometric patterns. Today, the palace is an archeological museum, which contains ancient rare artefacts of 1st century BC, terracotta items, king’s possessions and much more.

Monuments inside the Gwalior fort

The fort is not just one structure. The fort includes several water tanks that can feed 1500 garrisons, 3 major temples, 6 palaces, monuments and others. These monuments are built at different time by different emperors.

Light and Sound Show in Gwalior Fort

Light and sound show in Gwalior

The fort hosts a light and sound show in the evenings. Tourists will be taken on a visual trip through the history of Man Singh, his wife and others. The show takes place in the amphitheater of the fort. The show takes place both in Hindi and English everyday.

The Sound and Light Show Timings

  • Hindi Show: 7:30 pm
  • English Show: 8:30 pm

Temple that arose out of daughter-in-law and mother-in-law fight

Saas Bahu Temple gwalior

Sas Bahu Temple inside the fort has both Shiva and Vishnu statues. These two Gods were worshipped by different clans during ancient time. In 9th century, a royal mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fought about which deity to worship and this strange temple was built to satisfy them both.

This is just the beginning of the interesting facts of Gwalior fort. Did you know that the fort has a few chandeliers that weight three tons each? Before hanging the chandelier, many elephants were made to stand on the roof to test its strength.

Visiting timings and Entry fees of Gwalior Fort

Gwalior Fort is open for visitors all day from 8: 00 am to 6:00 pm. But the structures and monuments inside the fort are open for visitors only from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Entry Fees at Gwalior Fort

  • Entry Fees: Rs. 75/- per Indian Tourists and Rs. 250/- per Foreign Tourist
  • Camera: Rs. 40/-
  • Entry Fees for Children: Below 15 year’s free entry

Gwalior fort is a large embodiment of stunning history and delicate architecture. Although most part of the fort has fallen down because of war, the remaining stands with pride and beauty for every tourist.

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