Gwalior Famous Stories

The history of the Gwalior Fort

According to historians, there isn’t any concrete proof to indicate exactly when the fort was constructed. However, a local legend tells us that it was built in 3 CE by a local king called Suraj Sen. A saint named Gwalipa came wandering to the fort and met the king, who was suffering from leprosy. When Gwalipa offered him some water from a sacred pond (now called Suraj Kund and located within the fort complex), he immediately became healthy again. As a thankful gesture to the saint, the king named the fort and the town after him. The saint then gave the king the title of ‘Pal’ (protector) and told him that as long as he and his family continue to bear this title, the fort would remain in their possession. Following this, 83 successors of Suraj Sen controlled the fort. But the 84th king, Tej Karan, did not bear the title and lost the fort.

Gwalior Fort: Where Rani Lakshmibai Breathed Her Last

June 18, the death anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai, is celebrated as Martyr’s Day in Jhansi to honour the lives lost in the 1857 revolt. Rani Lakshmi Bai, a gallant queen of the state of Jhansi, was a legendary figure of the Rebellion of 1857. Known for her courage and bravery, Jhansi ki Rani was considered a symbol of resistance to British rule. Much has been written about the valiant queen in our books, but only a few people know that she breathed her last in Gwalior fort, and not the Jhansi fort.

This iconic fort is spread across an area of over 3 square km, and has been surrounded by concrete walls of sandstone. Built by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century, the fort houses 3 temples, 6 palaces and a number of water tanks. From Tomars, Mughals to Scindias, this fort has been a witness to many battles. However, there is one battle which will remain unforgettable for generations to come- a battle fought by a young, fiery woman on horseback, who endorsed the spirit of an Indian ‘Rani’, Rani Lakshmibai. In 1842, Lakhsmibai was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao. In 1851, the couple was blessed with a baby boy, but unfortunately, the baby died. Following the death of their infant son, Raja decided to adopt his brother’s son, Anand Rao. But British governor-general of India, Lord Dalhousie refused to recognise the Maharaja’s adopted son as his official heir, and annexed Jhansi under their policy of the ‘doctrine of lapse.’

But the fiery queen was determined to not give up so easily. During the revolt of 1857, Rani Lakshmibai gathered her forces and fought the Britishers in the bravest of manner possible. Overpowered by British troops, she escaped and joined hands with Tantia Tope and sought shelter inside Gwalior fort. She again attacked the Britishers and the fight lasted for 2 weeks, which she fought valiantly till her last breath.

Tansen YOU may have heard the name of Tansen — the greatest musician our country has produced. A singer called Mukandan Misra and his wife lived in Behat near Gwalior. Tansen was their only child. It is said that he was a naughty child. Often, he ran away to play in the forest and soon learnt to imitate perfectly the calls of birds and animals. A famous singer named Swami Haridas was once traveling through the forest with his disciples. Tired, the group settled down to rest in a shady grove. Tansen saw them. ‘Strangers in the forest!’ he said to himself. ‘It will be fun to frighten them’. He hid behind a tree and roared like a tiger. The little group of travelers scattered in fear but Swami Haridas called them together. “Don’t be afraid," he said. “Tigers are not always dangerous. Let us look for this one."

Jivajirao Sindhia (1925–1948)

Main article: Jivajirao Scindia

Jivajirao Sindhia ruled the state of Gwalior as absolute monarch until shortly after India's independence on 15 August 1947. The rulers of Indian princely states had the choice of acceding to either of the two dominions (India and Pakistan) created by the India Independence Act 1947 or remaining outside them. Jivajirao signed a covenant with the rulers of the adjoining princely states that united their several states to form a new state within the union of India known as Madhya Bharat. This new covenanted state was to be governed by a council headed by a ruler to be known as the Rajpramukh. Madhya Bharat signed a fresh Instrument of Accession with the Indian dominion effective from 15 June 1948. Jivajirao became the first rajpramukh, or appointed governor, of the state on 28 May 1948. He served as Rajpramukh until 31 October 1956, when the state was merged into Madhya Pradesh.