Gwalior Gateways

    There are a series of gates dotting the approach to the fort, most built between 1486 and 1516. On the northeast side is the Gwalior gate or Alamgir gate, built in 1660 by a Governor of Gwalior during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. The next gate is Badalgarh (named after Badal Singh, the uncle of Man Singh) or Hindola Paur, which means gate with a swing, which it once must have had. Materials from older buildings have been used for this gate, which is apparent by its Hindu secular architecture, balcony windows and a broad arch. The next gate is the Bairon gate that no longer exists. It is followed by the Ganesh gateway, which has a Kabutar Khana (Pigeon House) and a small tank. Nearby are a small Masjid and a little Hindu shrine marking the site where the sage Gwalipa once lived and where the story of Gwalior Fort began. Then comes Lakshmana gate, built in the 14^th century and lastly Hathia Paur. The latter was built in 1516 by Raja Man Singh, and is called Elephant Gate because of two life-like stone elephants that once guarded it. This elegant gateway has balconies, stone screen work and brilliant tiled details. On the western side is the Urwahi Gate.