There is a saying in Bhopal that those who visit the city once will always return. Bhopal is the capital city of India's largest state Madhya Pradesh, and is located on the latitude 23°16' north and longitude 77°36' east. Situated in the north-western part of the state, it lies along the slopes of a Sandstone ridge, which is a part of the Malwa Plateau. It is 744 kilometers south of Delhi, and 779 kilometers north-west of Mumbai (Bombay).
Bhopal was once a small, sleepy picturesque town on the banks of an immense and beautiful lake, with lush forests and leisurely days filled with shatranj (chess) of shikar (hunting), picnics, and quiet fishing trips. The new Bhopal is an antithesis of the old. One of the greenest cities of India, it has wide, clean, well-lit roads lined with fiery, statuesque Gulmohar trees. Even today, despite becoming the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh and the consequent influx of people, it retains about it an almost ethereal quaintness and calm.
Bhopal city is also referred to as the City of Lakes because of the two beautiful lakes that are situated in the center of the city. The city itself sits on the banks of a vast lake spanning almost 10 square miles, which dominates the landscape and gives it a magnetic, mesmerizing quality. The tranquility of the lake is perhaps responsible for the calm, laid-back attitude that pervades the entire city. This air affects all those who visit the city, and clings fast to the fabric of Bhopal despite the invasion of modernity.
The history of Bhopal dates back to the 11th century A.D., when the legendary King Bhoj built it. It is believed that the name Bhopal is a distortion of the founder's name. However, the region soon came under Mughal rule and remained a part of that empire till the death of the Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 A.D.
After a few years of turmoil, the small princely state of Bhopal and the present-day city, was founded by an Afghan soldier called Dost Mohammad in A.D. 1723. He is said to have assisted Rani Kamlapathi, the queen of the Gond tribals of the Norbada region, in protecting her territory from the attacks at the Rajput Thakurs.
Due to the lack of capable male rulers, the Begums of the royal family ruled Bhopal for close to almost a 100 years after that. The Begums were deeply religious and conservative, led very austere lives, and were keenly interested in the administrative aspects of the state. The third Begum, Nawab Sultan Jahan, was one of the most able rulers of the state.
Her son Nawab Hamidullah ascended the masnad (throne) in A.D. 1926, and was deeply involved in the political developments of his time. He had believed it imperative for the princes to remain united during Partition and advocated this strongly in his capacity as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes. Bhopal was one of the last states to sign the 'Instrument of Accession' in A.D. 1947. Thus, it was under him that Bhopal's transition from a sleepy town into a major developing metropolis took place.
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| Submitted by: shishir70
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Last updated on: Sunday, Feb 10, 2008
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Places of Interest
Jama Masjid
Gold spikes crown the minarets of this beautiful mosque built in 1837 by Kudsia Begum.
Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil
Situated at the entrance to the Chowk area in the heart of the walled city, Shaukat Mahal is an architectural curiosity. Its mixture of styles in Occidental idioms sets it apart from the predominantly Islamic architecture of the area.
Taj-Ul-Masjid
The Taj-ul-Masajid is one of the largest mosques in Asia, built by Nawab Shahjehan Begum around a courtyard with a large tank in the center and with an imposing double storeyed gateway with 4 recessed archways and 9 imposing cusped multifold openings in the main prayer hall. The Quibla wall in the prayer hall is carved with 11 recessed arches, while the mimber is made of black basalt.
Gohar Mahal
Situated behind Shaukat Mahal on the banks of the Upper Lake is Gohar Mahal, which is an architectural gem dating back to the times of Kudsia Begum, also known as Gohar Begum, who built this sprawling palace in 1820. The Mahal is a magnificent expression of the fusion of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
Bharat Bhawan
One of the most unique national institutes in India, Bharat Bhawan is a center for the performing and visual arts. Designed by renowned architect, Charles Correa, the contours of Bharat Bhawan merge in exquisite harmony with the landscape creating a visual impact of spacious and natural elegance.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (A Post Colonial Museum)
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind) is a unique Museum, spread over 200 acres of undulating land on the Shamla Hills on the Upper Lake front. It is situated in a prehistoric site and may be the only museum in the world strewn with numerous prehistoric painted rock shelters.The library, audio-visual archive, computerized documentation and the collection of ethnographic specimens in the Museum, though modest in size are among the best in the world.
Government Archaeological Museum
A fine collection of sculptures are on display here from various parts of Madhya Pradesh. Highlights of the collection are: paintings of various schools, copies of paintings from the Bagh caves near Mandu and the statues of Alakshmi and the Buddha. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Laxmi Narayan Temple and Museum
This beautiful temple on the Arera Hills has a Museum attached to it, which houses a collection of sculptures from Raisen, Sehore, Mandsaur and Shahdol districts of Madhya Pradesh. The museum is open from 9am to 5pm everyday except Mondays.
Van Vihar
This safari park is located on a hill adjacent to the Upper Lake, with an area of 445 hectares. In these natural surroundings, wildlife watchers can view a variety of herbivorous and carnivorous species.
Open everyday, except Tuesday, from 7-11 am and 3-5.30 pm.
Regional Science Center
Basically a science museum, located on the picturesque Shamala Hills, Regional Science Center houses about 300 participatory exhibits distributed equally in 'Invention' & 'Fun Science' galleries, and a 'taramandal' (Planetarium).
The museum remains open from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm on all days except Mondays.
CHOWK
In the heart of the city, the Chowk is lined with old mosques, havelis, reminders of a bygone era. The shops in its narrow alleys are treasure troves of traditional Bhopali crafts silver jewellery, exquisitely fashioned beadwork, embroidered and sequined velvet fashioned purses and cushions.
UPPER AND LOWER LAKES
The Upper Lake is divided from the Lower Lake by an over bridge. M. P. Tourism's Boat Club on the Upper Lake provides facilities for exciting trips by sail, paddle and motorboats.
Excursion
Bhimbetka Caves
Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges, Bhimbetka lays 46 km South of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs, over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age were recently discovered. Here, in vivid panoramic detail, paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the pre-historic cave dwellers making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure, an invaluable chronicle in the history of man.
Bhojpur
Founded by the legendary Parmar King of Dhar, Raja Bhoj (1010-1053), and named after him, Bhojpur, 28 km from Bhopal, is renowned for the remains of its magnificent Shiva temple and Cyclopean dam. The temple, which has earned the nomenclature of the Somnath of the east, is known as the Bhojeshwar Temple
Sanchi
Sanchi is known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa 1, was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, the then governor of Ujjayini, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant from adjacent Vidisha. Their son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra were born in Ujjayini and sent to Sri Lanka, where they converted the King, the Queen and their people to Buddhism.
Uday Giri
Five kilometers from Vidisha are located the Udaygiri Caves, cut into a sandstone hill. The caves date from AD 320 to 606. An inscription in one of these caves states that it was produced during the reign of Chandragupta II (AD 382-401). Of the 20 Gupta caves, two are Jain and 18 Hindu. One can have a look at an image of Vishnu in his boar incarnation in the Cave 5. On the top of the hill are the ruins of the 6th-century Gupta temple
Pachmarhi
Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant jewel, a place where nature has found exquisite expression in myriad enchanting ways. Green shades embrace the mountains, and everywhere is heard the gentle murmur of flowing water. Bridle paths lead into tranquil forest glades, groves of wild bamboo and jamun, dense sal forests and delicate bamboo thickets.
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| Submitted by: shishir70
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Last updated on: Sunday, Feb 10, 2008
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Bharat Bhawan
Bhopal has always enjoyed a lively cultural heritage. Set up in 1982 this complex is an important cultural centre in India and has showcased some of the finest talents of India's tribal and folk culture. Visitors can enjoy the interesting displays of pottery, paintings, wood work and metal craft. Most evenings the bhawan is also a venue for stage performances.
Other Activities:
Shopping
The old quarter is famous for traditional crafts such as embroidery, zardozi work, bridal wear and tailored sherwanis. Bhopal's famous beaded purses with draw strings or batuas make popular gifts. While in the markets do try a traditional Bhopali paan, some recipes of which have been handed down from generation to generation.
Cultural Evenings
Check the papers for local performances at Bharat Bhawan. You might want to attend a shairi (poetry) programme, which is a popular pastime amongst the older inhabitants of this old city. Rope in a local friend or acquaintance to get invited, or else check with the tourist office as its quite helpful with such information
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| Submitted by: shishir70
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Last updated on: Sunday, Feb 10, 2008
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Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
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There is a saying in Bhopal that those who visit the city once will always return. Bhopal is the capital city of India's largest state Madhya Pradesh, and is located on the latitude 23°16' north and longitude 77°36' east. Situated in the north-western part of the state, it lies along the slopes of a Sandstone ridge, which is a part of the Malwa Plateau. It is 744 kilometers south of Delhi, and 779 kilometers north-west of Mumbai (Bombay).
Bhopal was once a small, sleepy picturesque town on the banks of an immense and beautiful lake, with lush forests and leisurely days filled with shatranj (chess) of shikar (hunting), picnics, and quiet fishing trips. The new Bhopal is an antithesis of the old. One of the greenest cities of India, it has wide, clean, well-lit roads lined with fiery, statuesque Gulmohar trees. Even today, despite becoming the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh and the consequent influx of people, it retains about it an almost ethereal quaintness and calm.
Bhopal city is also referred to as the City of Lakes because of the two beautiful lakes that are situated in the center of the city. The city itself sits on the banks of a vast lake spanning almost 10 square miles, which dominates the landscape and gives it a magnetic, mesmerizing quality. The tranquility of the lake is perhaps responsible for the calm, laid-back attitude that pervades the entire city. This air affects all those who visit the city, and clings fast to the fabric of Bhopal despite the invasion of modernity.
The history of Bhopal dates back to the 11th century A.D., when the legendary King Bhoj built it. It is believed that the name Bhopal is a distortion of the founder's name. However, the region soon came under Mughal rule and remained a part of that empire till the death of the Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 A.D.
After a few years of turmoil, the small princely state of Bhopal and the present-day city, was founded by an Afghan soldier called Dost Mohammad in A.D. 1723. He is said to have assisted Rani Kamlapathi, the queen of the Gond tribals of the Norbada region, in protecting her territory from the attacks at the Rajput Thakurs.
Due to the lack of capable male rulers, the Begums of the royal family ruled Bhopal for close to almost a 100 years after that. The Begums were deeply religious and conservative, led very austere lives, and were keenly interested in the administrative aspects of the state. The third Begum, Nawab Sultan Jahan, was one of the most able rulers of the state.
Her son Nawab Hamidullah ascended the masnad (throne) in A.D. 1926, and was deeply involved in the political developments of his time. He had believed it imperative for the princes to remain united during Partition and advocated this strongly in his capacity as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes. Bhopal was one of the last states to sign the 'Instrument of Accession' in A.D. 1947. Thus, it was under him that Bhopal's transition from a sleepy town into a major developing metropolis took place.
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| Submitted by: shishir70
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Last updated on: Sunday, Feb 10, 2008
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