Short Info
Bhopal is the capital of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is also known as the “Lake City” because it consists of numerous natural lakes. Bhopal is one of the greenest cities in India and is home to several historical monuments. The old city showcases a harmonious blend of Hindu and Islamic cultures, as well as tradition and modernity. Bhopal houses a Master Control Facility for controlling the movement of satellites, the second such installation in India, established by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2005.
Madhya Pradesh is the central province of India and is the second-largest state in India, after Rajasthan (it was the largest until the year 2000 when Chhattisgarh was carved out). Madhya Pradesh borders Uttar Pradesh to the north, Chhattisgarh to the east, Maharashtra to the south, and Gujarat and Rajasthan to the west.
Bhopal was founded by Paramara king Raja Bhoj in the 11th century AD. Originally, it was called ‘Bhojapal,’ after Raja Bhoj, and the “pal” referred to the dam built to form the lakes surrounding the city. The city’s golden period declined with the fall of the Paramaras, followed by pillaging and plundering.
In the early 18th century, after the decline of the Mughal Empire, an Afghan soldier from the Orakzai tribe, Dost Mohammad Khan, refounded the city. He brought Islamic influence to the culture and architecture of the new Bhopal. Later, Dost Mohammad met Queen Kamalapati and established control over the region. Bhopal survived the Maratha onslaught in the late 18th century and signed a peace treaty with the British in 1818.
From 1819 to 1926, Bhopal was ruled by four women rulers. Qudsia Begum was the first female ruler of modern-day Bhopal, succeeded by Sikandari Begum, followed by Shah Jehan Begum (often referred to as the ‘First Lady of India’ by the British), and finally, Kai Khusrau Jahan Begum, the last female ruler. The Begums are credited with initiating development projects in the city, such as waterworks, railways, and the postal system. Bhopal was one of the last princely states to sign the Instrument of Accession in 1947, and it joined the Indian Union in May 1949. After independence, Sindhi refugees from Pakistan were accommodated in the western suburbs of Bhopal. According to the States Reorganization Act of 1956, Bhopal became a part of Madhya Pradesh and was made its capital.
Bhopal’s average elevation is nearly 500 meters above sea level. The city is situated in the Malwa Plateau, north of the upper limit of the Vindhya Mountains in central India. It consists of several hills, including Idgah and Shyamla hills in the north, and Arera hills in the south. The city has two large lakes, the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake (locally called Bada Talab and Chhota Talab, respectively). The Upper Lake drains into the Kola River. The two lakes are connected by an overbridge.
Bhopal has a humid subtropical climate. Winters are mild and dry, while summers are hot. Winter lasts from late October to late March, and summer extends from late March to June. May is the peak of summer, with temperatures rising above 40°C, while January is the coldest month. The monsoon begins in late June and continues until September, bringing about 40 inches of rainfall, frequent thunderstorms, and floods. The weather remains humid during the monsoon season. The annual rainfall totals about 1,146 mm.
Places like Sanchi, Pachmarhi, Khajuraho, Ujjain, Gwalior, Indore, and Mandu are other places in Madhya Pradesh that can be visited from Bhopal.
Bhopal may not be as famous as Gwalior in cultural terms, but it possesses rich cultural heritage. Bhopali crafts, including beadwork, embroidered velvet purses, silver jewelry, and curtains, are well-known.
The city is also famous for its culinary delights, such as Achar Gosht (pickled lamb), Keemas (minced meat), pulaos, Biryani Pilaf, Korma, Rogan Josh, and, last but not least, Bhopali Paan (betel leaf) and Bhopali Zarda (tobacco product).
The infamous Bhopal Gas Tragedy of December 1984 remains one of the worst industrial disasters in history. On that fateful night, a deadly methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the multinational Union Carbide’s insecticide plant on the outskirts of the city, causing over 5,000 deaths and affecting over 100,000 people with lifelong illnesses. Union Carbide agreed to pay $470 million in compensation, but this amount was widely criticized as insufficient.
Bhopal has several hotels catering to different budgets:
Every year, in January-February, the Manav Sangrahalaya hosts potters’ workshops, music and dance events, and open-air plays. It’s an event where local tribals demonstrate their skills. The three-day annual Ijtima held at Taj-ul-Masjid is another major event.
Other popular festivals include Diwali, Eid, Durga Puja, Vijaya Dashami, and Navratri.
Bhopal is home to various industries, including electrical goods, retail, cotton, chemicals, and jewelry. Flour milling, painting, sports equipment manufacturing, handicrafts (Zardori), and the production of Batuas are flourishing industries in the city. Automobile conversion is also a significant occupation.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), India’s largest engineering and manufacturing firm, has a unit in Bhopal. Mandideep, an industrial suburb south of the city, houses several renowned companies like Procter & Gamble, Fujitsu, Eicher, L&T, HEG, and Crompton Greaves Ltd. Bairagarh, a northwestern suburb, has become a major textile hub. Technological hubs are also emerging in Bhopal.
Bhopal has nine major bus terminals for long-distance services, such as Jawahar Chowk Stand, Halalpura Bus Stand, and Ayodhya Nagari Bus Stand. The city is also served by five major railway stations: Habibganj, Misrod, Sukhsewanagar, Mandideep, Nishatpura, and Bairagarh.
Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India is a state known for its richness in culture, history, tradition, art and craft, and this central city acts as a credential for making India as a diverse country. The state was under the rule of several dynasties for a long time. There are several majestic monuments that are incredibly popular amongst the world travelers and represent a perfect blend of modernity...
Omkareshwar is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga sites dedicated to Shiva. The Omkareshwar and Amareshwar temples are situated on the island of Mandhata in the river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district. The Omkareshwar Island itself is named after it...
Rai Parveen Mahal is one of the most attractive tourist locations located in Orchha of Madhya Pradesh. It was built by Maharaja Indrajit Singh in 1618 for his favourite courtesan Rai Parveen. This palace in built in exquisite Mughal architecture and the intricate w...
Khajuraho, the famous temple town of Madhya Pradesh pulls tourists not only from different corners of the nation but from different corners of the globe as well. The Khajuraho temple is a rare artistic and architectural masterpiece and has been awarded the title of...
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