Famously known as the city of warrior kings, poets, musicians and saints, Gwalior is an important city because of its strategic location on the Agra-Deccan main route. Many dynasties tried to claim this land including the mighty Mughals and Marathas. The Marathas under Madho Rao Scindia, the last dynasty to rule the city before Independence, restored Gwalior to its former glory. The imposing Jai Vilas Palace, situated below the hilltop Gwalior fort, is proof of the Scindia sway over the city.

The city is famous for the educational institutions like Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, Scindia School, and Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education that attract students from all parts of the country.

Scindias
Much of modern Gwalior is associated with the Scindias who were prolific builders. The Jai Vilas Palace at Lashkar is an opulent Italianate structure, set in carefully laid lawns. Part of the palace is used as a residence for the family while the other has been converted into a museum that effectively documents a more leisurely and princely lifestyle. The museum exhibits, consisting of collections of the Scindia family, include such things as chandeliers weighing several tons, a silver toy train whose wagons were used as serving dishes, and a glass cradle from Italy used for the Lord Krishna at Janmashtami.

Places to see in and around Gwalior
The glorious Gwalior is dotted with places or tourist interest in and around it. There are the numerable historical monuments and educational institutes those Gwalior boasts of.

Shivpuri
Shivpuri offers the Madhav National Park. In the forests of Shivpuri Madhav Park you may see flora and fauna from tigers to paradise flycatchers. The old world charm of Shivpuri cannot only be seen but also be felt in the majestic palaces and the hunting lodges of the Scindias.

Chanderi
The claim to fame of Chanderi is the special style of sari weaving. You can see the beautiful structures executed in the Bundelkhandi style and feast your eyes in Chanderi.

Orchha
It is another place worth seeing around Gwalior. The palaces and the temples top the list of places of tourist attraction in Orccha. The Orchha fort complex has the Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Rai Perveen Mahal. The Raja Ram Temple, Chaturbhuj temple and Laxminarayan temple are other places you must see in Orccha.

Gwalior Fort
The mighty Gwalior Fort was built in the 15th century by Raja Mansingh Tomar on a hilltop that overlooks the city. A steep road winds upwards to the fort, flanked by statues of the Jain Tirthankaras, carved into the rock face. Man Mandir is the Fort's piece de resistance. There are chambers for affairs of state as well as those for relaxation, adorned appropriately and ornately with carved animals, flowers, and the human form.

Fairs & Festivals
Tansen Music Festival is held every winter in the months of November/December. The festival is a major cultural event, drawing prominent performers and music lovers from all parts of the country.

Accomodation in Gwalior
» Usha Kiran Palace