Gwalior Fort

Gwalior Fort is one of the most formidable hill forts in India, perched atop the Gopachal plateau at a height of about 100 metres with walls rising 10 metres and running 2.5 km in length. First founded in the 8th century CE - with a legend attributing it to local ruler Suraj Sen - the fort passed through the hands of the Huns, Pratiharas, Tomars, Mughals, Marathas, and finally the Scindias.

The fort complex is a city in itself, containing six palaces (including Man Mandir, Jahangir Mahal, and Shah Jahan Mahal), four temples (Teli Ka Mandir, Saas Bahu, Sun Temple, Chaturbhuj), a Sikh gurudwara, Jain rock-cut sculptures, and underground dungeons used as prison cells by the Mughals. The Scindia School, founded in 1897, also operates within the fort walls.

Every evening, a sound and light show at Man Mandir Palace narrates the fort's thousand-year history. The fort is on UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List. Entry fee applies; the show has a separate ticket.