Gwalior is a city that boasts of a long and continuous history extending over more than 1500 years. Its layered past, often read through dynasties and monuments, is equally present in the practices, neighbourhoods, and cultural traditions sustained by its communities over time. This millenia and a half takes us back to the early medieval period, with traces of Central Asian Huns, showcasing how old the cosmopolitan culture of the city is! The Pratiharas and Kachchapagathas built temples in distinct architectural styles, while the Tomars contributed significantly to its palatial and urban fabric. With the arrival of the Scindias, the city expanded further, consolidating its position as an important political and cultural centre. 

Alongside its architectural legacy, Gwalior is closely associated with the development of Hindustani classical music. The Gwalior gharana, among the earliest khayal traditions in the subcontinent, took shape here and continues to influence musical lineages across India. This enduring association with music is reflected in Gwalior’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

This curation brings together multiple strands of the city’s history, moving across time, form, and practice. Mihirakula to Marathas and Madhya Pradesh: The Brief History of Gwalior offers a historical overview, tracing the succession of rulers and cultures that have shaped the city. Saviours in Stone: The Jain Statues of Gwalior draws attention to the monumental Jaina sculptures carved into the cliffs of the Gopachal plateau, while The Imprisoning Fortress reconsiders the Gwalior Fort through its use as a site of imperial confinement during the Mughal period.

Moving beyond the fort, Seeking Legitimacy in Stone: The Scindia Chhatris in Gwalior explores commemorative practices associated with rulers, while Recovering the Gvaliyari Bhakha with Vishnudas examines literary connections between Gwalior and Brajbhasha through medieval texts. The Architecture of Unveiling: The Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus refers to the life and legacy of Muhammad Ghaus, whose tomb continues to anchor one of the city’s oldest quarters.

The present finds reflection in Crafted in Gwalior, which looks at three GI-tagged craft traditions still practiced in the city, and Urdu Rhythms in Gwalior, which traces the city’s connections with Urdu literary cultures. Urban life comes into focus Gwalior’s Olis: Living Lanes of Craft, Community, and Cultural Memory, which explores neighbourhoods historically associated with specific professions, and Invisible Architectures, a visual account of domestic spaces shaped by early twentieth-century aesthetics of architecture.

Gwalior’s musical heritage is explored further in The Land of Music, which traces both lineage and innovation within the city’s musical traditions. Tracks Through Time: The Forgotten Story of the Gwalior Light Railway follows the history of the Gwalior Light Railway, while From Royal Retreats to Urban Respite: Evolution of Public Spaces in Gwalior reflects on the green spaces in and around the city and their changing patterns of use over time.

Finally, the narrative extends beyond the city to nearby Bateshwar in Bateshwar: A Jungle of Temples, where a cluster of medieval temples offers another perspective on the region’s architectural and cultural history.

Through this collection, we invite you to engage with Gwalior as a city shaped by continuity and change, where multiple histories remain present within its contemporary landscape.

Team

Curator: Sarthak Sharma

Photographer: Pranjal Jain

Editor: Shree Thaarshini Sriraman

Designers: Kaustav Purkayastha and Farishta Anjirbag

Illustrator: Jisha Unnikrishnan

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Project Mentor: Vaibhav Chauhan

Project Head: Meenakshi Vashisth

Project Coordinator: Adit Shankar