This article's factual accuracy is disputed. (May 2024) |
The Fort of Gwalior | |
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Madhya Pradesh, India | |
Coordinates | 26°13′49″N 78°10′08″E / 26.2303°N 78.1689°E |
Type | Fort |
Site information | |
Owner |
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Open to the public | Yes |
Site history | |
Built | 6th century, The modern-day fort, consisting a defensive structure and two palaces was built by King Man Singh Tomar,[1] later renovated by Maratha ruler under the Supervision of General Sardar Surve in 1916 |
In use | Yes |
Materials | Sandstone and lime mortar |
Battles/wars | Numerous |
Events | Numerous |
The Fort of Gwalior or the Gwalior Fort, also known as the Gibraltar of India,[2] is a defence hill fort in Gwalior, India. Mughal Emperor Babur gave it the title "pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind" because of its impregnability and magnificence. The history of the Fort goes back to the 5th century A.D. or perhaps to a period still earlier. The old name of the hill as recorded in ancient Sanskrit inscriptions is Gopgiri or Gop Parvat. The current structure of the fort has existed at least since the 8th century, and the inscriptions and monuments found within what is now the fort campus indicate that it may have existed as early as the beginning of the 6th century, making it India's one of the oldest defence fort in existence. The modern-day fort, embodying a defensive structure and two palaces was built by the Tomar Rajput[3] ruler Man Singh Tomar.[1] It has witnessed the varying fortunes of the Guptas, the Hunas, the Pratiharas, the Kachhwahas, the Tomaras, the Pathans, the Mughals, the English and the Marathas who have left their landmarks in the various monuments which are still preserved.
The present-day fort consists of a defensive structure and two main palaces, "Man Mandir" and Gujari Mahal, built by Tomar Rajput ruler Man Singh Tomar (reigned 1486–1516 CE), the latter one for his Gurjar wife, Queen Mrignayani.[1] The second oldest record of "zero" in the world was found in a small temple (the stone inscription has the second oldest record of the numeric zero symbol having a place value as in the modern decimal notation), which is located on the way to the top. The inscription is around 1500 years old.[4][5]
Other claiming to be Rajput and descent from Solar and lunar lines established themselves as local kings in Western and Central India. Among these were the Chandelas present in 12th century in Bundelkhand, the Tomaras also subject to the earlier Pratiharas ruling in Haryana region near Dhilaka, now Delhi, around 736 AD and later established themselves in Gwalior region
In a temple on the path up to Gwalior Fort [...] where we find a circular zero in the terminal position.[page needed]