The town of Gwalior in central India is home to an
8th-century fort. Although the fort was built by Hindu kings, its slopes were
carved with magnificent sculptures representing Jain idols. These tirthankaras
are spiritual guides who have been freed from the cycle of death and
rebirth, and help others find the righteous path. Though the colossal statues
have survived, many of the smaller ones were defaced under the 16th-century Mughal
emperor Babur. The fort was the site of the 1857 uprising of Indian soldiers
against the East India Company, although the British regained control of it in
1858.