The Untapped Potential Of A Magnificent City- Gwalior

Gwalior, A City Parked In The Periphery Of Madhya Pradesh Dotted By Lofty Hills And Breath- Taking Views Echoes The Stories Of Valorous Glory; The Brave Heart Of Rani Laxmi Bai, The Magical Musician Tansen And Many Such Notable Personalities Have Once Breathed In This Land. Embellished With Famous Forts And Temples, Palaces And Monuments, Local Bazaars And Musical Culture, This Royal City Seems Like A Place Straight Out From Our History Books. Over The Centuries, The City Has Hosted Many Dynasties And Several Rulers, From The Rajputs And Tomars, Mughals And Marathas, To The Scindias, Which Inscribed An Influential Footprint Of Different Cultures Giving Gwalior Its Unique Appeal And Facade.

This Cultural Hub Of Madhya Pradesh Owes Its Fame To The Impregnable Fort Which Is Perched Atop A 300ft Hill. Mounted On The Steep Hills And Guarded By The High Walls, This Formidable Structure Has Garnered The Reputation Of Being One Of The Most Invincible Forts Of India. The Scenes Of Epic Battles, Musical Renaissance, And Folklores Of Brave Dynasties Are Intricately Woven Into The City’s Fabric, Painting A Vivid Picture Of North India’s Tumultuous History. The Historic City Today Is A Major Attraction For History Buffs And Architecture Aficionados, Who Travels All Across The World To Get A Glimpse Of The Majestic Beauty. Also, The Great Shopping Potential Wrapped In The Chanderi And Maheshwari Saris, Lacquerware, Metalcraft, And Hand-woven Carpets, Soothes The Eyes Of The Antiquarian, The Shopper And The Hobbyist.

GWALIOR - THE PLACE AND ITS PEOPLE

Encompassing a total area of 5,214 km², Gwalior stands at a distance of 321 Kms from Delhi and 121 Kms from Agra. The city rests at a strategic location in the Gird region of North India. The beautiful landscape is a valley stationed between the hills. The fourth largest city of Madhya Pradesh and one of the largest cities of central India, Gwalior is cushioned by the industrial and commercial zones of neighbouring districts. The city is bordered by the districts of Bhind to the northeast, Datia to the east, Shivpuri to the south, Sheopur to the east, and Morena to the northwest. While the old city of Gwalior is enclosed within the buildings of the fort, the metro city of Gwalior spreads across the Chambal river valley and covers an area of 362 km². In terms of population, Gwalior is a landlocked area housing a population of 1.2 million (2011 census). It is the 46th most populated area in the country with a male proportion of 53% and female 47%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. The population is sparse as compared to the other metro cities of the country; mainly because of the extreme climatic conditions. The summers are marked by the scorching heat where the temperature ascends up to 47° centigrade, and the winters record the chilling cold temperatures of 1° to 3° centigrade. Rainfalls are limited to only the months of monsoon.

This city is very different from the clichéd overly populated metros. It is a fresh breeze that blends the aura of traditional customs and cultural significance walking slowly towards the line of modernization. This is clearly evident from its average literacy rate of 84.14%, which is higher than the national average of 74%. The male literacy of Gwalior is 89.64% and female literacy is 77.92%. These numbers clearly sketch a picture where the city is fast marching towards the goals of education, equality and modernization.