A Glimpse of Some Forts of India

1A Glimpse of some Forts in IndiaPRESENTED BYJAY RAJPUROHIT

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Why I chose this topic?

2Remember the Hindi movie Jodha Akbar? Ever since I saw that movie, I wanted to visit Rajasthan! Here is Baghu and me in front of Fort Amber (or Amer). This picture was taken during our last trip to India, this year in February during Winter Break

3What is a Fort?A protected enclosure, building, or position that stands strong in defense against an enemy (e.g. Red Fort)A permanent army post (e.g. Fort Collins)

4Why were Forts built?From very early history to modern times, walls have been a necessity for many cities

Uruk, in ancient Sumer (Mesopotamia) was one of the world's oldest known walled cities

The Ancient Egyptians also built fortresses on the frontiers of the Nile Valley to protect against invaders from its neighboring territories

Many of the forts of the ancient world were built with mud brick

5History of Forts in IndiaForts are important architectural relics of the long history of India

The capital of each Raja or King had a fort, around which a township grew and developed

This pattern can be seen in many Indian cities such as Delhi, Agra, Pune, Kolkata and Mumbai

Two forts in India are UNESCO world heritage sites

Agra FortRed Fort

5UNESCO UNITED NATIONS EDUCATION SCIENTIFIC CULTURAL ORGANIZATION

610 Famous Forts of IndiaQila Mubarak Fort WilliamAmber FortMehrangarh FortJaisalmer Fort

Chittorgarh FortAgra FortGolconda FortLal Qila/Red FortGwalior Fort

7For every Fort lets answer the followingWhere is it?When was it built and by whom?Features of the fort

8Qila Mubarak

9The oldest surviving fort in India is the Qila Mubarak at Bathinda (Punjab) Built in 90-110 AD, by Emperor Kanishka and Raja DabFactsRazia Sultan (the first woman to take charge of the Delhi throne ) was imprisoned here in 1204Visited by Guru Nanak Dev (1515), Guru Teg Bahadur (1665), Guru Gobind Singh (1705)Qila Mubarak

9Qila Mubarak (Punjabi: , Hindi: ), a Historical National Monument of India, forms the heart of the city of Bathinda, in Indian Punjab. It has been in existence for approximately 1900 years in its current form. Some sources have the structure in its original, primitive form dating back to the Harrapa period. It was here that Razia Sultan, the first woman to take charge of the Delhi throne was incarcerated on her defeat and dethroned. The bricks of the fort date back to the Kushana period when emperor Kanishka ruled over Northern India/Bactria. Raja Dab, along with emperor Kanishka, is believed to have built the fort.== A brief history ==binepaal fir avega jd pani avega allah ho akbr pars my heart ok

View from top terrace of Fort, June 2003; (photo: G. S. Bhalla; click for larger view)History of Qila Mubarak and Surrounding Areas Year Event 50,000 BC Stone tools such as the hand axe were developed in northern ancient India; artifacts have been found in the modern Bathinda district. 40,000 BC People begin living in man-made shelter huts in northern Punjab and central Asia (Bactria) 7,000 BC Evidence of people growing barley in this area and raising sheep, goats. People begin living in mud-brick dwellings in villages; some of which are still in existence. 5,500 BC Inhabitants learn to make pottery from burnt clay, a technique that is scarce but still alive today. 3,000 BC Farming villages begin appearing in the Bathinda area, most of which still exist today. 2,600 BC Farmers in the area make use of the plough; exactly as it is still used in some Bathinda areas today. 1,500 BC Cities of the area are abandoned but the rural villages thrive and survive; Indo-Aryans arrive in the area. 800 BC Indo-Aryans spread in the area and begin clear-cutting forests 600 BC Area inhabitants begin use of elephants in warfare. 125 BC A Scythian tribe known as Sakas invaded Punjab from Baluchistan and Sind. 15 AD The Kushan Kingdom was restored in the area. 90-110 AD Emperor Kanishka and Raja Dab built it. 179 AD Bathinda town was established by Bhatti Rao. 1004 AD Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni captured it. 1045 AD Pir Hazi Rattan settled here for meditation. 1189 AD Sultan Mohammed Ghori captured it. 1191 AD Emperor Prithvi Raj Chauhan recaptured it. 1240 AD Razia Sultan imprisoned here. 1515 AD Guru Nanak Dev visited this place. 1665 AD Guru Teg Bahadur visited this place. 1705 AD Guru Gobind Singh visited this place. 1835 AD Maharaja Karam Singh built a Gurdwara here.

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11Fort William

12It is situated in Kolkata, on the Eastern banks of the River HooghlyBuilt in 1781, during the early years of the Bengal Presidency of British IndiaFactsIt was named after King William III of EnglandFort is built of brick and mortar in the shape of an irregular octagon In front of the Fort is the Maidan, the largest urban park in KolkataFort William

12The major distributary of the River GangesThe design is that of a star fort, suited to defense against cannon,

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Amber Fort

15Located in Amber (near Jaipur)Built in 1592, by Raja Man SinghFactsName derived from Amba Mata (Mother Earth)Perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim ArchitectureFort is built with white marble and red sandstone Inside looks like a palace with a huge courtyard, Shila Mata (Kali) temple, residence of the Maharaja, silver doors, mosaics, marble columns, hand paintings ,sculpturesAmber Fort

15However, the Amber Fort took its present form during the reign of Raja Jai Singh I. Exquisite paintings of hunting scenes on the walls depict the temperament of the Rajputs, who were adventurous, revolutionary and self-indulgent. Ganesh Pol forms another attractions in Amber fort and is an imposing gateway which lies south of Diwan-i-am. The gateway has been painted beautifully and endorse typical Rajasthani motifs. From Ganesh Pol, you can move to beautiful garden or Charbagh, which is based on the Mughal patten of gardens

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17Mehrangarh Fort

18One of the largest forts in JodhpurBuilt in 1459, by Rao Jodha (Rathore Ruler)FactsThe hill was called Bhaurcheeria, the mountain of birdsInside the Fort, there are majestic rooms called Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal and Takhat VilasMehrangarh Fort

18This hill was known as Bhaurcheeria, the mountain of birds. According to legend to build the fort he had to displace the hill's sole human occupant, a hermit called Cheeria Nathji, the lord of birds Moti Mahal - The Pearl PalaceBuilt by Raja Sur Singh (1595-1619), the Moti Mahal is the largest of the Mehrangarh Museum's period rooms. Sur Singh's Moti Mahal has five alcoves leading onto hidden balconies; it is believed they were built for his five queens to listen in on court proceeding.

[edit] Sheesha Mahal - The Hall Of MirrorsIt is a fine example of a typical Rajput Sheesh Mahal. The mirror-work includes large, regular pieces, rather than an intricate mosaic of tiny fragments; another thing is the superimposition over the mirror-work of brightly painted religious figures made in plaster.

[edit] Phool Mahal - The Palace Of FlowersThe Phool Mahal was created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724-1749). The grandest of Mehrangarh's period rooms the Phool Mahal was in all likelihood a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure; dancing girls once swooned in exhaustion here under a ceiling rich in gold filigree.

[edit] Takhat Vilas - Maharaja Takhat Singh's ChamberBuilt and lived in by Maharaja Takhat Singh (1843-1873), Jodhpur's last ruler to reside in the Mehrangarh Fort, Takhat Vilas is an interesting blend of styles, most traditional, but some, like the glass balls on the ceiling, testifying to the modern age which arrived with the British.

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20Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Kella)

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21One of the largest forts in world, located in JaisalmerBuilt in 1156, by Rawal Jaisal (Rajput Ruler)FactsStands on the golden stretches of Thar desertWorlds only living Fort with quarter of Jaisalmers population living insideSri Satyajit Ray created a famous detective film Sonar Kella based on this FortJaisalmer Fort

21Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest forts in the world. It is situated in Jaisalmer city in Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from where it derives it name. The fort stands proudly amidst the golden stretches of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion color during the day, turning to a magical honey-gold as the sun sets and camouflages the fort making it appear a part of the picturesque yellow desert. Thus, it is also known as the "Golden Fort".

The famous Indian film director Satyajit Ray wrote a detective novel and later made it into a film Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) which was based on this fort. During the medieval times, the city played a major role in the trade with Persia, Arabia, Egypt and Africa. The fort contains 3 layers of walls. The outer or the lower layer is made out of solid stone blocks and it reinforces the loose rubble of Trikuta Hill. The second wall, i.e. the middle wall snakes around the fort. From the inner most or the third wall, the Rajput warriors used to hurl boiling oil and water, and massive round blocks of rock as missiles on the enemies when they got trapped between the second and the third walls. The defensive mechanism of the fort is even more enhanced by the 99 bastions of the fort. Of these, 92 bastions were built between the period of 1633-47.

Ala-ud-din Khilji attacked and captured the fort in the 13th century and managed to hold it for 9 years. It was during the seize of the fort, the Rajput women committed Jauhar. The second battle at the fort happened in 1541, when Mughal emperor Humayun attacked the fort city.

This is the world's only living fort and about a quarter of city's population live in the fort. At one point of time the entire population of Jaisalmer used to live within the fort; but with the increase in the population, people was forced to move out and find shelter under the foot of the Trikuta Hill.

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23Chittorgarh Fort

24Also called Water Fort, located in ChittaurBuilt in 7th century AD, by MauryansFactsSome believe Bhim (one of Pandava brothers) built this fortInside the Fort, Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory), Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame), Gaumukh Reservoir, Rana Kumbha and Padmini Palace, Meera TempleWitnessed many JauharsChittorgarh Fort

24Chittorgarh Fort (Hindi/Rajasthani: Chittorgarh Qila) is the largest fort in India and the grandest in the state of Rajasthan. The fort, plainly known as Chittor, was the capital of Mewar and is today situated several kilometres by road south of Bhilwara. It was ruled initially by Guhilot and later by Sisodias, the Suryavanshi clans of Chattari Rajputs, from 7th century A.D., till it was finally abandoned in 1568 AD after the siege by Emperor Akbar in 1567 AD. It sprawls majestically over a hill 180 m (590.6 ft) in height spread over an area of 280 ha (691.9 acres) above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort precinct with an evocative history is studded with a series of historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemoration towers. These monumental ruins have inspired the imagination of tourists and writers for centuries.[1][2][3]

The fort was sacked three times between 15th century and 16th century; in 1303 AD Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 AD Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 AD Emperor Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who left the fort and founded Udaipur. Each time the men fought bravely rushing out of the fort walls charging the enemy but lost every time. Following these defeats, Jauhar was committed thrice by more than 13,000 ladies and children of the Rajput heroes who laid their lives in battles at Chittorgarh Fort, first lead by Rani Padmini wife of Rana Rattan Singh who was killed in the battle in 1303 AD, and later by Rani Karnavati in 1537 AD.[1][2][4]

Thus, the fort represents the quintessence of tribute to the nationalism, courage, medieval chivalry and sacrifice exhibited by the Mewar rulers of Sisodia and their kinsmen and women and children, between the 7th century and 16th century. The rulers, their soldiers, the women folk of royalty and the commoners considered death as a better option than dishonor in the face of surrender to the Muslim invading armies.[1][4]

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26Agra Fort

27Located in Agra near world famous Taj MahalCompleted in 1573, under Akbar the GreatFactsInside the Fort, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwani-i-Khas, Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal, Anguri Bagh, Golden Pavilions, Musamman BurjWhen Aurangzeb imprisoned his father Shah Jahan, he viewed the construction of Taj Mahal from Musamman Burj (a tower with a marble balcony, which provides best view of Taj Mahal)Agra Fort

27Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

It is the most important fort in India. The great Mugals, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travelers and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in India.Realizing the importance of its central situation, Akbar decided to make it his capital and arrived in Agra in 1558. His historian, Abdul Fazal, recorded that this was a brick fort known as 'Badalgarh' . It was in a ruined condition and Akbar had it rebuilt with red sandstone. Architects laid the foundation and it was built with bricks in the inner core with sandstone on external surfaces. Some 1,444,000 builders worked on it for eight years, completing it in 1573.Sites and Structures within Agra Fort Sites and Structures within Agra Fort The Khas Mahal. Jahangiri mahalAnguri Bagh (Grape Garden)- 85 square, geometrically arranged gardens[1]Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) - was used to speak to the people and listen to petitioners and once housed the Peacock ThroneDiwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) - was used to receive kings and dignitary, features black throne of JehangirGolden Pavilions - beautiful pavilions with roofs shaped like the roofs of Bengali hutsJahangiri Mahal - built by Akbar for his son JehangirThe Khas Mahal. Jahangiri mahalAnguri Bagh (Grape Garden)- 85 square, geometrically arranged gardens[1]Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) - was used to speak to the people and listen to petitioners and once housed the Peacock ThroneDiwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) - was used to receive kings and dignitary, features black throne of JehangirGolden Pavilions - beautiful pavilions with roofs shaped like the roofs of Bengali hutsJahangiri Mahal - built by Akbar for his son JehangirKhas Mahal - white marble palace, one of the best examples of painting on marbleMacchi Bhawan (Fish Enclosure) - grand enclosure for harem functions, once had pools and fountainsMina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque) - private mosque used by mujaharaMoti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) - mosque built for use by members of royal courtMusamman Burj - a large, octagonal tower with a balcony facing the Taj MahalNagina Masjid (Gem Mosque) - mosque designed for the ladies of the courtNaubat Khana (Drum House) - a place where the king's musicians playedRang Mahal - where the king's wives and mistresses livedShahi Burj - Shah Jahan's private work areaShah Jahani Mahal - Shah Jahan's first attempt at modification of the red sandstone palace

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29Golconda Fort

30Located in Golconda, near HyderabadBuilt in 13th century by the Kakatiya KingsFactsSituated on a 400 feet high granite hillHas amazing acoustics, where sound of a clap from near the front gate can be heard on top of the citadelMany famous diamonds were excavated from mines at Golconda (Hope Diamond at Smithsonian in Washington DC, Darya-e-Noor)

Golconda Fort

30Golkonda (or Golconda) Urdu, a ruined city of south-central India and capital of ancient Kingdom of Golkonda (c. 13641512), is situated west of Hyderabad.

Golconda fort was first constructed during the reign of qutub shah emperor Mohammed Iqbal Ali and his son Mohammed Touseef Ali.

The most important builder of Golkonda was Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali, the fourth Qutb king. Ibrahim was following in the spirit of his ancestors, the Qutub Shahi kings, a great family of builders who had ruled the kingdom of Golkonda from 1512. Their first capital, the fortress citadel of Golkonda, was rebuilt for defense from invading Mughals from the north. They laid out Golkonda's splendid monuments, now in ruins, and designed a perfect acoustical system by which a hand clap sounded at the fort's main gates, the grand portico, was heard at the top of the citadel, situated on a 300-foot (91 m)-high granite hill. This is one of the fascinating features of the fort.

They ruled over the Telangana region and some parts of present day Karnataka and MaharashtraThe 13th century Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya kings. The existing structure was later built by Qutub Shahi Kings.

In the 16th century, Golkonda was the capital and fortress city of the Qutb Shahi kingdom, near Hyderabad. The city was home to one of the most powerful Muslim sultanates in the region and was the center of a flourishing diamond trade.

Golkonda is located 11 km west of the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh state, India (location 172300N 782415E / 17.3833333N 78.40417E / 17.3833333; 78.40417).

According to a legend, the fort derives its name from Golla Konda, which is a Telugu word for Shepherd's Hill. It is believed that a shepherd boy came across an idol on the hill. This led to the construction of a mud fort by the then Kakatiya dynasty ruler of the kingdom around the site.

The city and fortress are built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (400 ft) high and is surrounded by massive crenelated ramparts. The beginnings of the fort date to the 1143, when the Hindu Kakatiya dynasty ruled the area. The Kakatiya dynasty were followed by the state of Warangal, which was later conquered by the Islamic Bahmani Sultanat. The fort became the capital of a major province in the Sultanate and after its collapse the capital of the Qutb Shahi kings. The fort finally fell into ruins after a siege and its fall to Mughal emperor Aurangazeb.

After the collapse of the Bahmani Sultanat, Golkonda rose to prominence as the seat of the Qutb Shahi dynasty around 1507. Over a period of 62 years the mud fort was expanded by the first three Qutb Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite, extending around 5 km in circumference. It remained the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty until 1590 when the capital was shifted to Hyderabad. The Qutb Shahis expanded the fort, whose 7 km outer wall enclosed the city. The state became a focal point for Shia Islam in India, for instance in the seventeenth century Bahraini clerics, Sheikh Ja`far bin Kamal al-Din and Sheikh Salih Al-Karzakani both emigrated to Golkonda[2].

The Qutb Shahi sultanate lasted until its conquest by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1687. The fortress held out against Aurangzeb for nine months, falling to the Mughals through treachery.

Kancharla Gopanna, popularly known as Bhaktha Ramadaasu, a devout Hindu who constructed Bhadrachalm temple without informing the sultan at that time Tana Shah, was kept in a jail located inside the fort.Golkonda was once renowned for the diamonds found on the southeast in Paritala, modern day Krishna district and cut in the city during the Kakatiya reign. India Diamond#History, at that time, had the only known diamond mines in the world.

The Mines of Golkonda themselves yielded diamonds of trifling quantity. Europeans knew that diamonds were found only in these fabled mines. Golkonda was, in fact, the market city of the diamond trade, and gems sold there came from a number of mines. The fortress city within the walls was famous for diamond trade.

Magnificent diamonds were taken from the mines in the region surrounding Golkonda, including Darya-e Nur, meaning sea of light, at 185 carats (37 g), the largest and finest diamond of the crown jewels of Iran.

Its name has taken a generic meaning and has come to be associated with great wealth. Gemologists use this classification to denote a diamond with a complete (or almost-complete) lack of nitrogen; "Golconda" material is also referred to as "2A."

Many famed diamonds are believed to have been excavated from the mines of Golkonda, such as:

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32Red Fort (Lal Qila)

33Located in New DelhiBuilt in 1648 by Emperor Shah JahanFactsShah Jahan moved the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi and created his palace in Red FortServed as capital of Mughals until 1857Indian Independence celebrated with Flag hoisting at Red Fort every year. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru first hoisted the Indian Flag on Independence Day (August 15th, 1947)Red Fort

33The Red Fort (Hindi: , Urdu: , usually transcribed into English as Lal Qil'ah or Lal Qila) is a 17th century fort complex constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah jahan in the walled city of Old Delhi (in present day Delhi, India). It served as the capital of the Mughals until 1857, when Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled by the British Indian government. The British used it as a military camp until India was made independent in 1947. It is now a popular tourist site, as well as a powerful symbol of India's sovereignty: the Prime Minister of India raises the flag of India on the rampants of the Lahori Gate of the fort complex every year on Independence Day. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007[1].

Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648 (10 years).[2] The Red Fort was originally referred to as "Qila-i-Mubarak" (the blessed fort), because it was the residence of the royal family. The layout of the Red Fort was organised to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort. The fortress palace was an important focal point of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad. The planning and aesthetics of the Red Fort represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which prevailed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. This Fort has had many developments added on after its construction by Emperor Shahjahan. The significant phases of development were under Aurangzeb and later Mughal rulers. Important physical changes were carried out in the overall settings of the site after the First War of Independence during British Rule in 1857. After Independence, the site experienced a few changes in terms of addition/alteration to the structures. During the British period the Fort was mainly used as a cantonment and even after Independence, a significant part of the Fort remained under the control of the Indian Army until the year 2003.The Red Fort is a tourist attraction from around the world.

The Red Fort was the palace for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad, the seventh city in the Delhi site. He moved his capital here from Agra in a move designed to bring prestige to his reign, and to provide ample opportunity to apply his ambitious building schemes and interests.

The fort lies along the Yamuna River, which fed the moats that surround most of the wall. The wall at its north-eastern corner is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh Fort, a defense built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546.The construction of the Red Fort began in 1638 and was completed by 1648.

The Indian flag flying from Delhi GateOn 11 March 1783, Sikhs briefly entered Red Fort in Delhi and occupied the Diwan-i-Am. The city was essentially surrendered by the Mughal wazir in cahoots with his Sikh Allies. This task was carried out under the command of the Sardar Baghel Singh Dhaliwal of the Karor Singhia misl.

The last Mughal emperor to occupy the fort was Bahadur Shah II "Zafar". Despite being the seat of Mughal power and its defensive capabilities, the Red Fort was not defended during the 1857 uprising against the British. After the failure of the 1857 rebellion, Zafar left the fort on 17 September. He returned to Red Fort as a prisoner of the British. Zafar was tried on in a trial starting on 27 January 1858, and was exiled on 7 October.Red Fort showcases the very high level of art form and ornamental work. The art work in the Fort is a synthesis of Persian, European and Indian art which resulted in the development of unique Shahjahani style which is very rich in form, expression and colour. Red Fort, Delhi is one of the important building complexes of India which encapsulates a long period of Indian history and its arts. Its significance has transcended time and space. It is relevant as a symbol of architectural brilliance and power. Even before its notification as a monument of national importance in the year 1913, efforts were made to preserve and conserve the Red Fort, for posterity.

The walls of the fort are smoothly dressed, articulated by heavy string-courses along the upper section. They open at two major gates, the Delhi and the Lahore gates. The Lahore Gate is the main entrance; it leads to a long covered bazaar street, the Chatta Chowk, whose walls are lined with stalls for shops. The Chatta Chowk leads to a large open space where it crosses the large north-south street that was originally the division between the fort's military functions, to its west, and the palaces, to its east. The southern end of this street is the Delhi Gate.

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35Gwalior Fort

36Located in Gwalior (birthplace of Mia Tansen)Built in 8th century by Tomar RulersFactsEmperor Babur described it as The pearl in the necklace of the forts of HindInside the Fort, Gurjari Mahal and Man Mandir palaceFirst epigraphic evidence of 0 (Shunya in Sanskrit) was found on a tablet near a 9th century Hindu templeGwalior Fort

36Gwalior Fort (Hindi: Gwalior Qila) in Gwalior, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, stands on an isolated rock, overlooking the Gwalior town, and contains a number of historic buildings. It is one of the biggest forts in India and a postage stamp has been issued by the Indian Postal Service to commemorate the importance of this fort. From historical records, it is established that it was built in the 8th century. The fortress and the city have been integral to the history of the kingdoms of North India. It is said that the Mughal Emperor Babur (14831531) described it as, "The pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind". The fort, also given the epithet "Gibraltar of India', provides a panoramic view of the old Gwalior town, which is to its east.[1][2][3]

The forts history relates to two parts namely, the main fort and the Gurjari Mahal and the Man Mandir palace. The first part was built during the early Tomar rule, while the second part, the Gurjari Mahal (now a Museum) and the palace, was constructed by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century for his favourite queen, Mrignayani.[1]

Gwalior Fort also occupies a unique place in the human civilization as the place which has the first recorded use of zero ever. Also referred as 'Shunya' in sanskrit, this site is of mathematical interest because of what is written on a tablet recording the establishment of a small 9th century Hindu temple on the eastern side of the plateau (marked by the '0' on the nineteenth century map at the left). By accident, it records the oldest "0" in India for which one can assign a definite date.[4]

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38Thank You!