From Gwalior Fort Museum

Gwalior and nearby area used to be called Gird - गिर्द or Gopa गोपा area in earlier times. This area included Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Shivpuri and Sheopur. Gopachal in fact is the name of a hill upon which Gwalior Fort has been constructed. The Gird area touched Malwa, Bundelkhand, Braj and Hadoti. All these ancient names are slowly fading out as their defined boundaries are no more there.

The area was ruled by Bhaghels, Gurjars, Pratiharas, Kachchvahas, Mughals, Marathas and  the British. The area had its share of battles & wars, forts, palaces & temples. Lot of monuments have survived the elements & aggressors. The area however remains backwards, lacks infra & the people are poor. Tourist inflow is less despite rich & varied archeological findings.

Gwalior Fort has two museums displaying archeological artifacts, larger being Gujari Mahal and smaller one in Fort area near Karan Mahal. Some photos from museum in Fort:

1. This beautiful sculpture is of 9th century from Khairat district Bhind. Near the feet of Shiva & Parvati are seated Ganesha, Bhringi, Nandi & a lion.  Graceful with remarkable carvings of jewellary 

2. Beautiful dancing Ganesha. 9th century sculpture from Terahi district Shivpuri

3. Saptmatrika. Tenth century panel from Survaya district Shivpuri. From L to R - Chaturbhuji Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnvi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda 

4. Arishtnemi 21st Jain Tirthankar. 8th century carving found in Amroli district Gwalior

5. A shikhara 

6. Erotica panel of tenth century from Padawali district Morena. A bit crude compared to that seen in Khajuraho 

7. Kartikeya. First century BC sculpture from Mitawali district Morena. Son of Shiva & Parvati considerd as commander of army of devtas. In left hand he holds a weapon & in right a cock    

8. Four armed Durga. Eleventh century find from Sihonia district Morena. Relates to Kachchapghata times 

9. Balram. Elder brother of Lord Krishna. Considered as one of the ten avtars of Lord Vishnu.  First century AD from Mitawali district Morena  

10. Mother & child. Beautiful statue of eleventh century Kachchapghata period from Sihonia district Morena  

11. Ek Mukhi Linga  

Gujari Mahal as seen from Gwalior Fort