The Tilwara Ghat holds a special position in Indian History and in the hearts of followers of Mahatma Gandhi. This is the place from where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in Narmada River. This is also the venue of the open session of the Tripuri Congress in 1939.
These medieval constructions were built by the famous Gond king, Sangram Shah between 1480-1540.
Built by the Gond ruler, Raja Madan Shah, in 1116 atop a rocky hill, the fort dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the country-side around it.
A historical monument, which was the summer palace of the Holkan rulers, Sukh Niwas Palace in Indore is a haunting anecdote of the past. The Sukh Mahal Lake and the lush surroundings of a beautiful garden bestow a majestic and appealing look to this magnificient summer palace. An underground tunnel that connects the Sukh Mahal palace with the old palace is really fascinating.
In the heart of the old city surrounded by the Khajuri bazaar is Rajwada or ‘old palace’. At least 200 years old, the Rajwada is a landmark synonymous to Indore. This seven-storied building used to be the palace of the Maratha Holkar dynasty. An aesthetic mix of Maratha, Mughal and French architectural styles, the lower three storey’s of the Rajwada are made of stone while the upper floors are made of wood. It has a lofty archway at the entrance that leads to a vast open courtyard.
The palace has had fires in it three times in its history and a major fire in 1984 burnt down a great deal of it, leaving not much more than a façade. The government continues renovations to recreate some of the old glory of this beautiful palace.
The Lal Baag Palace gets its name from the celebrated rose gardens that the Palace was once famous for. It is also one of the grandest remaining monuments that the Holkar dynasty left in Indore. The palace was constructed by Tukoji Rao Holkar II in 3 stages between 1886 and 1921 and is a reflection of his taste, grandeur and lifestyle. Located to the south west of the city this palace covers an area of 28 hectares, and at its peak, had the reputation of having the best rose gardens in India.
The Chhatris, or cenotaphs, are tombs built in the memory of the Holkar rulers and their relatives. Standing amidst the scenic beauty of the Khan river bank, near Rajwada, the Chhatris depict great Maratha art, sculpture and architecture.
Situated in the majestic Gwalior fort, Suraj Kund is believed to be the same place where the Sage Gwalipa healed Suraj Sen, the Rajput chieftain. The history of Suraj Kund complex dates back to the 15th century.
A European style palace converted into museum, Jai Vilas Palace is situated in Gwalior. Its unique architecture, which is a mix of Italian, Tuscan and Corinthian, is quite amazing. Jai Vilas Palace is constructed by the Maharaja Jiyaji Rao Scindia and the fabulous palace is festooned with furniture from Versailles, Italy and France.
The Museum exhibits a collection of antiques belong to the Scindia reign. Two Belgian chandeliers weighing several tens will definitely catch the sight of everyone. Each article put on display in the museum is worthy to be mentioned, but some rare collections like a glass cradle from Italy, silver dinner services and swords that were once worn by Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan are conspicuous.
The majestic monument, Gwalior Fort, in Gwalior was the nucleus of administration of the Tomars. This magnificent monument holds the history of several hundred years of different dynasties. The greatest martyrs of India Tantia Tope and Rani of Jhansi made this fort as their battlefield.
Based on a sandstone hill, the Gwalior Fort carries an amazing folklore, which says that it was built by Suraj Ben on the advise of a saint by name Gwalipa. Situated on a hilly terrain, this fort commands a panoramic view of the fabulous valley below. The crisscross pathway to the uphill is boarded by statue of Jain Theerthankaras carved into rock faces.
