Emperor Ashok had first of all ruled over Ujjain. A sizeable portion of Central India was part of the Gupta empire (300-500AD). The Muslims came into Central India in the beginning of the 11 th century. First of all Mahmud of Ghazni came over here and then Mohammad Gauri who incorporated some parts of Central India into his ruling territory of Delhi. Central India was also part of the Mughal Empire. During the period between the beginning of the influence of the Marathas and the death of Madhoji Scindia in 1794, Marathas were on the rise in Central India but later on the small States started coming into existence, which helped the perpetuation of British power in the country. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, the Gaud Maharani Kamala Devi and Queen Durgawati were some women rulers whose names have been written in an indelible ink in the Indian history for their outstanding rule. After independence Madhya Pradesh came into being in November 1956.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest population of scheduled tribes of all States and a high proportion of Schedule Castes, together they constitute nearly one third of the population.
Area: 3,08,346 sq.km; Capital: Bhopal; Language: Hindi; Airports: Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Khajuraho and Gwalior; Hill Resorts: Pachmarchi (1067 m).
Popular Places : Bhopal, Sanchi, Gwalior, Ujjain, Indore, Jhansi, Omkareshwara, Maheshwar, Chitrakoot, Orchha, Khajuraho, Jabalpur, Kanha National Park, Panchamarhi, Mandu, Bandhavgarh National Park.
Bhopal
Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, historicity and modem urban planning. Bhopal was founded by Raja Bhoja in the 11 th century . The founder of the existing city was an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed (1708-1740 AD), fleeing Delhi. Bhopal was then ruled by a series of Nawabs and in succession by powerful Begums from 1819 AD to 1926 AD.
Places of interest: (1) Taj-Ul-Masjid (2) Moti Masjid (3) Shaukat Mahal and Sardar Manzil (4) Bharat Bhavan (5) Tribal Habitat (6) Chowk (7) Government archaeological Museum (8) Handhi Bhawan
Hotels: Jehan Numa Palace Hotel, The Residency Hotel, Hotel Amar Palace, Hotel Lake View, Hotel Mayur, Hotel Panchanan.
Sanchi
Sanchi is known for its stupas, monasteries, temples and pillar stretching from the 3 rd century BC to 12 th century AD.
Places of interest: (1) Great Stupa No.1 (2) The Four Gateways (3) The Eastern Gateway (4) The Northern Gateway (5) Southern Gateway (6) Stupa No.2 (7) The Ashoka Pillar.
Hotel Accommodation: Travellers Lodge, Tourist Cafeteria.
Gwalior
In legend Gwalior’s history goes back to multitude of reigning dynasties of the great Rajput clans of the Pratiharas, Kachwas and Tomars who have left indelible etchings of their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments.
Places of interest: (1) The Fort (2) Gujari Mahal (3) Man Mandir Palace (4) Suraj Kund (5) Teli Ka Mandir (6) Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod (7) Jai Vilas Palace.
Hotel Accommodation: Welcome Group Usha Kiran, Hotel Gwalior Regency, Hotel Shelter, Hotel Tansen, Hotel Vivek
Ujjain
Ujjain is among one of India’s most sacred and holy cities whose origin can be traced to the age of Upanishads and puranas wherein it is described as Avanika.Today Ujjain abounds in temples hoary old traditions attached to each one of them.
Places of interest: (1) Mahakaleshwara Temple (2) Bhartrihari Caves (3) Kalideh Palace (4) Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir (5) Chintaman Ganesh (6) Siddhavat (7) The Cedha Shala.
Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Ashrya, Hotel Shipra.
Indore
Indore is not of great interest, but it’s a good base for visiting Mandu.The city is a major textile-producing center and at Pithampur, 35km away, Hindustan Motors, Kinetic Honda, Bajaj Tempo and Eischer all have factories.
Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Ashoka, Hotel Payal, Hotel Amrit, Hotel Neelam, Hotel Samrat, and Sayaji Hotel.
Jhansi
Jhansi, 101 km south of Gwalior, is actually just across the border in Uttar Pradesh,but for convenience we have included it here.
Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Veerangana, Hotel Samrat, and Jhansi Hotel.
Omkareshwara
A holy island, shaped likes the sacred Hindu symbol ‘OM’. Here the Narmada and the Kaveri rivers meet and the pilgrims gather at the confluence in large numbers to pay obeisance before the Jyotirlinga at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata.
Places of interest: (1) Shri Omkar Mandhata (2) Siddhnath Temple (3) 24 Avatars (4) Satmatrika Temple (5) Kajal Rani Caves.
Hotel Accommodation: Holkar Guest House, Forest and PWD Guest House.
Maheshwar
An ages old temple town on the bank of the Narmada River is mentioned in the puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata when it was Mahishamati, capital of King Kartaviryarjuna.
Places of interest: (1) Ragaddi and Rajwada (2) Ghats (3) Temples (4) Maheshwari
Sarees.
