Gwalior
One of India's oldest centres of classical music
Gwalior, an ancient city that dates back to the 6th century has been a work in progress over time: its foundations were laid by the Naad dynasty, and were enhanced by several royal Hindu clans. During the British colonial period in India, it saw the unrest between Central India’s princely states, and emerged as a significant economic hub today. Today, the city nestles in the shadow of the Gwalior Fort – a majestic stone structure set upon a hillside carved with rock carving of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism dating to the 15th Century. With one of the oldest learning centers of Indian classical music, it bears a profound musical heritage as also celebrates an annual Tansen Music Festival in honour of Mian Tansen, the musician – poet, one of the jewels in the courts of the Mughal emperor, Akbar.