The Gwalior Fort is the city's most famous landmark and within its walls contains several interesting temples and mined palaces. Its dramatic and colorful history dates back over a 1000-years

In 1398, the Tomar dynasty came to power in Gwalior. Over the next several centuries, this was the scene of continuous intrigue and clashes with Neighboring powers. Man Singh, who came to power in 1486, was the greatest of the Lamar mien. In 1505, here repelled an assault on the fort by Sikandar Lodi of Delhi, but in 1516, the fort was finally besieged by Ibrahim Lodi. Man Singh died early in the siege, but his son held out for a year before capitulating. Later, the Mughals, under Babur, took the fort and held it until 1754, when the Marathas captured it.

For the next 50 years, the fort changed hands several times. It finally passed in to the hands of the Scindias, although the British retained indirect control. At the time of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, the maharaja remained loyal to the British, but his troops didn't, ad in mid-1858, the fort was the scene of some of the final and most dramatic events of the Mutiny. It was near here that the British finally defeated Tantia Tope, and it was in the final assault on fort that the Rani of Jhansi was killed.

Rising 100 metres above the town, the fort hill test is about 3 kms in length. Its width varies from nearly a km to less than 200 meters. The walls, which encircle almost the entire hilltop, are 10 meters high and imposingly solid.

Teli Ka Mandir, within the fort complex probably dates from the 9th century and has a peculiar layout plan and design. The roof is Dravidian while the decorations (the whole temple is covered with sculptures) - Indo-Aryan. A Garuda tops the 95 metre high doorway. This is the highest structure in the fort. Dedicated to Pratihara Vishnu, it is a harmonious blend of Muslim and Indian Architecture. Another such marvel is the Sas Bahu Ka Mandir, again dedicated to Vishnu. Originally known as the "Saharabahu" Temple, This is probably the most ancient of the structures within the fort walls. It was built by Mahipala, the Kachchwah King, in the early 11th Century.

Man Mandir Palace, once a grand music hall, was built by Raja Man Singh during 1486 and 1517, for the royal ladies of the palace. The most impressive building in the fort, it is richly studded with blue, green and yellow tile work creating patterns of animals, birds, trees and flowers on its exteriors. This wall faces a cliff side, interrupted by large rounded bastions. Inside, it comprises finely carved stone screens where the ladies learnt music from the maestros of their times. Dazzling with colored lights and sound effects, it comes alive during the Son-et-Lumiere shows, even today.

On your way up hill to the fort, do stop to visit the massive icons of Bahubali, a Jain master, which are cut out of huge rocks, - similar in style to the rock cut Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan. The tallest figure here stands at a height of 57 meters and are believed to have been created during the 15th Century.

A sandstone Muslim of the Sufi saint Ghaus Mohammed, an Afghan prince, who once helped Babur to win the fort lies in the crowded old town of Hazira, North East of the fort.