Coloured tiles
On the facade.
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Gwalior Fort is a vast fortress on a rocky plateau above the city of Gwalior. High sandstone walls rise to the Man Mandir palace, its facade decorated with blue, green and yellow tiles showing ducks, elephants and palm trees, with small domes on its towers. The fort dates back at least to the 5th or 6th century AD, one of the oldest defensive forts in India. The Mughal emperor Babur called it «the pearl among the fortresses of Hind». Today it holds six palaces, two built by King Man Singh Tomar between 1486 and 1516, the best known being Man Mandir and Gujari Mahal. Many dynasties held it over the centuries. You drive or walk up to the fort, step into Man Mandir to see the tiles and halls, and stand on the walls with the whole city below you. It is about 2 km in a straight line northwest of central Gwalior. A sound-and-light show is held in the evening.
On the facade.
From the walls.
In the evening.
Gopachal hill, central Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Two to four hours.
By car or on foot.