March 2, 2012
History of Gwalior
Gwalior city has a rich historical
and cultural heritage of its own. The city was ruled by Tomars, Pratihars, and
the Kachwaha dynasty; and also by the Mughals, Marathas and the Scindiyas.
During the Iron Age this area was
known as Gopadri. But, it was only around 7th and 8th
century the formation of Gwalior city took place. Gwalior was founded by a
prince belonging to the Kachwaha dynasty around 8th century. The
Gwalior fort was built by the same prince Suraj Sen. Popular stories tell that
the prince was cured by a sage named Gwalipa for leprosy and hence built the
fort in honor of the sage.
Later the Delhi Sultanate, Mughals,
and Marathas occupied the region. The Tomar dynasty had ruled over Gwalior in
the middle ages. The Tomar king Raja Man Singh encouraged art and architecture
of the region. As a result the Gujari Mahal and Man Mandir Palace were built
here during that period. The Scindiyas of Gwalior were British loyalists for a
period of time. But, Scindiyas supported
the Sipoy Mutiny (1857) against the British. After Independence they merged
with the Indian Union.
The history of Gwalior is incomplete
without mentioning the majestic Gwalior Fort. According to Babar, the founder
of Mughal Empire in India,Gwalior Fort is the most precious gem in India.It was
Suraj Pal ,the Kachawah prince who founded the Gwalior Fort in 525 AD on
Gopachal mountain. This fort has witnessed the change of fortune of several
dynasties.During the reign of the Great Tomar King , Man Singh(1486-1516) the
fort was greatly invincible.The fort was also conquered by the Mughal emperor
Babar .After the fall of Mughals ,in 1754 Scindhia (Maratha )took possession of
Gwalior.
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