Temples of Gwalior
Art & Culture › Architecture · Topic 1.12
The temples of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh are medieval temples of the Gurjara-Pratihara and Kachchhapaghata (Kachwaha) periods, mostly inside Gwalior Fort. The Teli ka Mandir, built in the 8th to 9th century under the Pratiharas and about 30 m high, is the tallest monument in the fort and mixes Nagara and Dravidian features. The Sas-Bahu temples, built in 1093 CE by the Kachchhapaghata king Mahipala, are twin Vishnu temples whose name comes from Sahasrabahu. The fort also has rock-cut Jain Tirthankara figures of the 15th century and the nearby Bateshwar group of temples in Morena.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Architecture
At a Glance
- Location Gwalior Fort and Morena, Madhya Pradesh
- Dynasties Gurjara-Pratihara, Kachchhapaghata, Tomara
- Key temples Teli ka Mandir, Sas-Bahu, Bateshwar group
- Style Nagara with Dravidian traits
- Related Gwalior named a UNESCO Creative City for Music in 2023
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Architecture
Where Does It Fit?
Gwalior is a regional topic after Khajuraho and Odisha. It shows how the Nagara style mixed with other forms in the Pratihara heartland of central India. It also links to Hindustani music, since Gwalior is a major gharana centre. Previous topic: Temples of Odisha. Next topic: Temples of Gujarat.
Which Temples and Monuments Are Found in Gwalior?
| Monument | Dynasty and date | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Teli ka Mandir | Gurjara-Pratihara, 8th to 9th century | About 30 m tall, rectangular plan with a barrel-vaulted (Valabhi) roof, a Nagara tower mixed with a Dravidian form, and a carved gateway with Garuda at the top. The Garuda on the gateway points to a Vishnu dedication, though the original deity is debated |
| Sas-Bahu temples (Sahastrabahu) | Kachchhapaghata, Mahipala, 1093 CE | Two adjoining temples, a larger and a smaller one, to Vishnu (Sahasrabahu, thousand-armed). The name Sas-Bahu means mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in popular tradition |
| Jain Tirthankara rock-cut figures | Tomara period, 14th to 15th century, completed about 1480 | Rock-cut Tirthankara statues around the fort, with a Parshvanatha figure about 14 m (47 ft) high and a Rishabhanatha figure about 17 m (57 ft) high |
| Man Singh Palace (Man Mandir) | Tomara, Man Singh, about 1486 to 1517 CE | Palace with blue and yellow glazed tile decoration on the walls |
| Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor | Sikh, 17th century | Marks the detention of Guru Hargobind in Gwalior Fort by Jahangir |
| Surya Kund and Gujari Mahal | Tomara and later | A tank and a palace, now an archaeological museum |
What Other Temple Groups Are Near Gwalior?
| Group | Place | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bateshwar group | Morena, Madhya Pradesh | About 200 small temples of the Gurjara-Pratihara period, 8th to 10th century, mostly Shiva and Vishnu. They were restored by the Archaeological Survey of India |
| Chausath Yogini temple | Mitawali, Morena | A circular temple of 64 shrines around a central shrine, often linked in popular accounts to the design of the Parliament House, a claim that is debated |
| Padavali | Morena | Pratihara era temple ruins |
| Narwar Fort | Shivpuri | Fort with temples near Gwalior region |
| Gopachal hill | Gwalior | Old name for the fort hill |
What Else Should You Remember?
- Gwalior Fort: The fort stands on a sandstone hill and was held in turn by the Pratiharas, Kachchhapaghatas, Tomaras and later Mughals, Marathas and the Scindias. It is called the pearl among the fortresses of India
- Name: The name Gwalior comes from Gopagiri or Gopachal, hill of the cowherd, and the sage Gwalipa
- Teli ka Mandir name: The name Teli ka Mandir, oil-presser temple, is linked with local oil traders, and the exact origin is uncertain. The temple is under protection of the Archaeological Survey of India
- Mixed style: The roof is Valabhi in the Nagara tradition but the gateway and the sanctum plan recall the Dravidian style, so it is cited as a blend
- Sas-Bahu details: The temple has a pillared hall with a richly carved ceiling and a porch, and the larger one has three entrances
- Tomara period: The Tomara king Man Singh patronised music and Dhrupad, which later grew into the Gwalior school of music, as in Hindustani Music (Gharanas – Gwalior, Kirana, Agra, Jaipur-Atrauli, Patiala)
- Tansen: The tomb of Tansen and the tomb of the Sufi saint Ghaus in Gwalior are Mughal-era monuments, and the Tansen Music Festival is held every year in December
- Creative City: UNESCO named Gwalior a Creative City for Music in October 2023, as discussed in UNESCO Creative Cities Network
- Jain sculptures: The giant figures include seated and standing Tirthankaras, often cut in groups. See also Jain Sculptures
- Gurjara-Pratiharas: They ruled from Kannauj in the 8th to 10th centuries and fought the Palas and Rashtrakutas, a struggle known as the tripartite struggle
- Compare: General Nagara features are in Nagara Style, and the Chandela work is in Temples of Khajuraho
- Present state: The monuments are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and the state, and a light and sound show is held in the fort
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Match type: Teli ka Mandir with Pratiharas, Sas-Bahu with Kachchhapaghata
- Feature: Valabhi roof, mixed Nagara and Dravidian features
- Place: Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh
- Link: Gwalior gharana and Creative City for Music
- Common errors: crediting the Teli ka Mandir to the Chandelas or placing the fort in Uttar Pradesh
As an analytical point, Gwalior shows how a single fort can hold layers of Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Islamic history. For Mains, it is an example of integrated heritage management where architecture, music and tourism support each other.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Prelims Dynasty and temple matching
- Mains Layered heritage and tourism
- Link Music city of Gwalior
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the temples of Gujarat, including Solanki works. Next topic: Temples of Gujarat.
Key People and Terms
- Teli ka Mandir Tallest temple in the fort
- Sas-Bahu Sahasrabahu Vishnu temples
- Valabhi Barrel-vaulted roof
- Bateshwar Pratihara temple group
- Mahipala Kachchhapaghata ruler
- Gopachal Old name of the hill
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Tallest in fort: Teli ka Mandir, Pratihara.
- Sas-Bahu: 1093 CE, Mahipala.
- Group of about 200 temples: Bateshwar, Morena.
- Jain figures: Tomara period.
- Gwalior: Creative City for Music, 2023.
Do Not Confuse With
- Teli ka Mandir and Sas-Bahu Pratihara tall temple versus Kachchhapaghata twin Vishnu temples
- Gwalior and Khajuraho Pratihara and Kachchhapaghata versus Chandela
- Sas-Bahu and Sahasrabahu Popular name versus original name
Memory Hook
Teli stands tall, Sas-Bahu stands in pair, Bateshwar spreads in hundreds.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about layers of heritage in forts and cities. These points help.
- Layers Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Islamic
- Music link Gharana and festival
- Conservation ASI at Bateshwar
- Tourism Fort and show
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Gwalior is called a museum of layered heritage. Discuss with reference to its temples, sculptures and cultural traditions.”
How to Answer
- Intro Fort and hill.
- Temples Teli, Sas-Bahu, Bateshwar.
- Other layers Jain, Sikh, music.
- Conclusion Managing integrated heritage.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Teli ka Mandir in Gwalior?
The Teli ka Mandir is the tallest monument in Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh, about 30 m high. It was built in the 8th to 9th century in the Gurjara-Pratihara period. It has a Valabhi barrel-vaulted roof and a mix of Nagara and Dravidian features, and a Garuda on its gateway points to a Vishnu dedication.
Who built the Sas-Bahu temples in Gwalior?
The Sas-Bahu temples in Gwalior Fort were built in 1093 CE by the Kachchhapaghata ruler Mahipala. The name is a popular form of Sahasrabahu, the thousand-armed form of Vishnu. They are two adjoining Vishnu temples, one larger and one smaller, with carved halls and porches.
Where is the Bateshwar temple group located?
The Bateshwar group is at Padavali near Morena in Madhya Pradesh, about 40 km from Gwalior. It has around 200 small sandstone temples of the Gurjara-Pratihara period, mostly Shiva and Vishnu shrines. The Archaeological Survey of India restored many of them.
What are the Jain sculptures of Gwalior Fort?
Rock-cut figures of Jain Tirthankaras are carved on the cliffs around Gwalior Fort. They were carved in the 14th and 15th centuries under the Tomara kings, in standing or seated poses. The Parshvanatha figure is about 14 m high, the Rishabhanatha figure about 17 m, and several were damaged in later centuries.
Why is Gwalior important for art and culture?
Gwalior combines temples such as Teli ka Mandir and Sas-Bahu, Jain rock-cut sculpture, the Man Singh Palace and the Gwalior gharana of Hindustani music. UNESCO named it a Creative City for Music in 2023. Its fort is a standard Prelims example of layered heritage.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Teli ka Mandir is in Gwalior Fort.
It is the tallest monument in the fort.
2 The Sas-Bahu temples were built by the Chandelas.
By the Kachchhapaghata king Mahipala.
3 The Bateshwar group is in Morena district.
Madhya Pradesh.
4 Gwalior was named a UNESCO Creative City for Music.
In October 2023.
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