Gwalior, nestled in the picturesque valley of Gopachal Parvat, has recently been awarded the title of 'Heritage City of Madhya Pradesh'. It is home to a plethora of cultural treasures and historical traditions, dating back to the 5th century BC. It has been the cradle of many great dynasties like the Mauryas, Nagas, Guptas, Kushanas, Pratiharas etc. Among them, the most significant were the Scindias. They were generous patrons of beauty, art and artistry, and the dynasty contributed to much of the built heritage of the city.
One of these heritage structures shall be the starting point for our walk—the Moti Mahal palace, constructed during the reign of Jayaji Rao Scindia in around 1800 AD. Once the royal court and palace of the Scindias, it now houses offices of different departments of the state. Its unique interiors are decorated with mosaic work, coloured glass, mural paintings, pure gold work, Kundan work, etc., and shall surely mesmerize visitors.
Our next spot during the walk, adjacent to the Moti Mahal, shall be the Baija Taal Cultural Complex, which serves as an open-air theatre for various cultural programs. It was built in the memory of the beloved third wife of Daulat Rao Scindia, Baija Bai.
The endpoint of the walk shall be Jal Vihar. A beautiful establishment constructed in 1900, this garden was developed to be used by the Scindias in the summer. A fine example of the blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture, this garden is fitted with around 15000 fountain nozzles.
Join us on this walk to enjoy a throwback to the rich and glorious heritage of the Scindia dynasty.
This guided tour is free.
