Quaint Shivpuri - A town with imposing structures!

Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh is a city of historical importance as it used to be the summer capital of erstwhile Gwalior state. It is nestled in the midst of dense forests which sprawls under the Madhav National Park. Town's beauty lies in its majestic edifices which date back to the colonial times. Take a peek into the beautiful structures that Shivpuri is extremely proud to have!

Madhav Palace - A quaint palace that has the colonial touch

A lot of heritage architectures can be seen in and around the Shivpuri including the Madhav Palace, once a summer residence of the Scindias. Structured in pink colour, the palace has a colonial influence that can be seen in its marble floors, iron columns, and quaint terraces. Today, the property is used as a training school for the Intelligence Bureau of Government of India.

George castle - Built for a short stay of King George

Within the depth of the Madhav National Park, perched the George Castle at the highest point constructed in 1911 by the Scindia ruler Jivaji Rao Scindia. It is said that it was built for an overnight layover of King George V who was to come there on a tiger hunting expedition. So, he happened to visit the jungles and he shot the tiger on his way. Hence, he did not stay at the castle which was specially made for him. The splendid view of the sunset, nearby Sakhya Sagar Lake and rich forest cover from the George Castle is sure to remain etched in your memories forever.

Collectorate of Shivpuri and memorial of Tatya Tope

Another offbeat place to visit in Shivpuri is the collectorate or collector office of Shivpuri which used to be the "Secretariat" during the British era. It is assumed that it's the same place where nationalist heroTatya Tope was hanged. Talking about Ramachandra Pandurang Tope (Tantya Tope), there is a memorial adjacent to as mall market in the city which is dedicated to him.

The Chhatris of royals!

Just on the outskirts of Shivpuri located two beautiful chhatris (Cenotaphs) of Scindia king and queen. Flanked by the Mughal gardens with path adorned with picturesque fencing. The chhatris are a great blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. In order to give a similar effect like Taj Mahal, the cenotaph of Madho Rao Scindia is ornamented in the pieta dura style with precious lapis lazuli (semi-precious stone) and onyx (a kind of gemstone). Facing the chhatri is the memorial of Madho Rao's mother, Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindia. Both the cenotaphs are very popular among tourists and worth a visit.

Shivpuri clearly conveys so much about its rich heritage and holds a special place in the history of central India. So, next time, when you plan a visit to Gwalior, make sure you give a whole day to discover Shivpuri's beauty.

Shivpuri is a town of heritage importance, it used to be the summer capital of erstwhile Gwalior state. Located in the midst of lush forests, town's natural beauty is as famous as its regal legacy. In 1959, the forest around Shivpuri officially gained the status of Madhav National Park. And as per the old records, it has been hunting ground for many ranked personages. There is an edifice constructed based on one such incident.