Gwalior District

Gwalior district Hindi: ग्वालियर जिला) is one of the 50 districts of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The historic city of Gwalior is its administrative headquarters. Other cities and towns in this district are Antari, Bhitarwar, Bilaua, Dabra, Morar Cantonment, Pichhore, and Tekanpur.

The district has an area of 5,214 km², and a population 1,629,881 (2001 census), a 26% increase from 1991. Gwalior District is bounded by the districts of Bhind to the northeast, Datia to the east, Shivpuri to the south, Sheopur to the east, and Morena to the northwest. The district is part of Gwalior Division.

Gwalior is also known for 1857 revolt and Rani Lakshmi Bai's heroic resistance. After Kalpi (Jhansi) fell into the hands of the British on May 24, 1858, Lakshmibai sought shelter at the Gwalior fort. Afraid of the British, The king of Gwalior was not willing to give up his fort but his soldiers laid down their arms in respect for the Rani of Jhansi. Thus the freedom fighters entered Gwalior without a fight. The British wasted no time in attacking Gwalior. It was the fiercest, bloodiest battle ever fought on Indian soil. Lakshmibai's courage, strength, and ability as she valiantly fought the British army's vastly superior forces, are remembered to this day. Gwalior was captured and the real heroism of Rani Laxmibai reached to the heights when died fighting courageously.

One of the youngest Swatantrata Sangram Senani from central India Guru Radha Kishan organised people in Gwalior against the insane government policies with his colleague freedom fighter Ramchandra Sarvate. He came to Gwalior after an arrest warrant was issued against him for his active participation in freedom movement of India in Indore. Guru Radha Kishan fought valiantly for the economic deprivation during colonial rule in pre-independence days, his act was applauded wholeheartedly by eminent Gandhian Dada Dharmadhikari.