Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

Author(s): T V G Shastri
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

Page 53

At present there are two gateways towards east and west linked by regualr roads. The road along the eastern slope of the hill, leads to the Gwalior gate, while the one towards west leads to Urwahi gate.
Before getting into the etymology of the name of the present gateway towards the east, we are faced with the question of its antiquity. But the historical tradition confuses us with different names of the gates on the eastern side of the hill, like Hindola Gate, Hatia Gate etc. There are as many as five; and two more it seems were also there, but their remains cannot be traced.
Evidently, depending the necessity, they would have constructed them, at different times. Sometimes the same gate go by different names.
i. Gwalior Gate :- As regards the gate which is now popularly called as the Gwalior gate, it was once known as the Alangir gate. It is a situated at the lower level of the hill and it now houses, the law courts and other government offices. There are three inscriptions, in which, its name was referred to as Alangir darwaja and that it was built by the Muslim general Motamid Khan, in charge of Gwalior during the year 1660 A.D.
During the time of Aurangazeb it was made the office of the Adalat, Kachheri of Khazi.
ii. Bairn Gate :- Further up on the hills, ther are some more gates, the earlierst of them being the Bairon gate constructed during the time of Kachhawahas by the king Baironpal. Further up above the incline of the hill, there is another gate Badal darwaza. This was built in the name of Kalyanamal uncle of the Tomar king Mansingh.
iii. Lakshman Gate: Next we come across the Lakshman gate. According to Cunningham, it is attributed to Vajradaman, the Kachhawaha ruler of Gwalior in the name of his father Lakshman. It was built around 870 A.D. Near the gate there is a rock cut temple of Visnu with two inscriptions dated to 875 and 876 A.D. They also indicate their endowment, made to the temple by Ramadeva and Bhoja deva, Pratiharas of Kannuoj. Slightly away from this gate there are some relics of Hindu divinities and some secular scenes. Now the reliefs are getting oblitrated.
iv. Donda Gate:- Slightly away towards northwest, of the former there is Donda Gate. It was said to have been built by, the Kachhawaha king Dondpal, son of Vira Simha Deo. Near the gate there is a temple of Siva. Since it was built by Dondapal, it derives the name Donda gate and since it was near the Siva temple, it is also known as Donda Dewl gate.
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