07/02/2024
Sahastra Bahu Temple (Saas Bahu) Gwalior Fort
The history of the Fort goes back to the fifth century AD or perhaps still earlier and the old name of the hill as recorded in ancient Sanskrit inscriptions is Gopagiri.
The main monuments which are in the premises of Gwalior fort are Man Mandir, Teli-Ka-Mandir, Sas Bhau Temple, Badal Mahal, Alamgiri gate, Ganesa gate, Chaturbhuj gate, Rock-cut Jain collosi, Urwai gate, etc.
Among the earliest architectural efforts the Teli ka Mandir definitely stands as the earliest one being dated conformably to the 8th century AD A hallmark feature of this temple is the imposing superstructure of a mixed type, showing a Valabhi shikara on a Nagara base.
It has witnessed varying fortunes of the Guptas, Hunas, the Pratiharas, the Kachhwahas, the Tomars, the Pathans, the Mughals and the Marathas who have left their landmarks in the various monuments which are still preserved.
Chaturbhuj temple is another early temple of this site being securely dated to AD 875. It stands as the only monolithic rock cut temple in the entire region.
In the hill fort the twin Vaishnava temple known as Sas Bahu constructed during the reign of the Kachchapghattas marks the culmination of artistic endeavours marked by extravagant ornamentation.
Jainism also thrived conspicuously especially during the reign of the Tomars as understood the large number of gigantic Jaina tirthankara images from images on both sides of the Urwahi Road and rock cut Jain colossies, including at Ek Pathar ki Baodi.
The Palace of Raja Man Singh, a great patron of architecture, is an interesting example of Hindu Architecture, incorporating elements commonly in vogue, in Islamic architecture.
