State Protected Monuments

Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh


Just north of the Man Singh Palace is the entrance to the ruins of the Vikram Mahal, Karan Mahal and other dilapidated palaces in the north of the fort. Also here is the Jauhar Kund, a tank famous as the scene of mass self-immolation (jauhar) by the women of the royal household when Gwalior was on the brink of capture by the Delhi sultan Iltutmish in 1231.

Although none of the buildings are in particularly good condition it's fun scrambling around the walls and up to the lookout points.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh attractions

1. Man Singh Palace

0.05 MILES

This imperial-style palace, built by Tomar ruler Man Singh between 1486 and 1516, is definitely one of India's more quirkily decorated monuments: its…

2. Chaturbhuj Mandir

0.05 MILES

You’ll pass a 9th-century Vishnu shrine known as the Chaturbhuj Mandir before reaching the fourth gate on the eastern approach to Gwalior Fort.

3. Lakshman Gate

0.05 MILES

Probably dating from the 14th century, this is the fourth gate you pass through on the way up to Gwalior Fort from the east side.

4. Hathi Gate

0.07 MILES

The fifth and final gate on the eastern path up to Gwalior Fort is the Hathi Gate, built in 1516, with its two tall towers. Through here you enter the…

6. Hindu Temple

0.08 MILES

A small four-pillared Hindu temple to the hermit Gwalipa, after whom both fort and town are named.

7. Ganesh Gate

0.16 MILES

The third of the surviving gates on the eastern approach to Gwalior Fort, built in the 15th century.

8. Badalgarh Gate

0.24 MILES

The second gate on the eastern approach to Gwalior Fort, named after Badal Singh, Man Singh’s uncle.