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My State - MADHYA PRADESH

The Heart of India

• The largest Indian state in size. Area, 443,446 sq km (171,215 sq mi); population (1991) 66,181,170.
• Chief crops: rice, jowar, wheat, pulses (legumes), groundnuts, linseed, and cotton.
• Industries: processing of sugar and the manufacture of cotton textiles, newsprint, pottery, cement, carpets, silk, rayon, jute, glass, steel, and electrical engineering goods.
• Cottage industries: the elaborate Chanderi sari, toys, pottery, decorative wax ware, woodwork, and metal utensils.
• History: Ruled by Mauryas, Guptas, Vakatakas, Kalchuris, Chandels, Parmars, Gonds, Mughals and Marathas. After 1820 the region was occupied by the British and known as the Central Provinces and Berar. With the States Reorganization Act of 1956, it was combined with several former states to form Madhya Pradesh State.
• Major political parties are Indian National Congress and Bhartiya Janata Party. The current (25th) Chief Minister is Digvijay Singh of Congress (I).

Major cities

• Bhopal Pop. (1991) 1,062,771 Capital of Madhya Pradesh State. The main industries are the manufacture of cotton cloth and jewelry. Bhopal is the site of the Taj-ul-Masjid, the largest mosque in India. The city has a university, founded in 1970, and an academy of music. Said to be named after Raja Bhoj, modern Bhopal was founded by Dost Muhammad in 18th century. From 1723 until 1956 Bhopal was capital of the former princely state of Bhopal. IndiaWorld, MP Guide, The British Library. Triangle stamps of Bhopal state.

• Indore Pop. (1991) 1,086,673, It is the commercial center of an agricultural region in which wheat, millet, corn, cotton, opium, and oilseed are produced. Factories manufacture cotton textiles, hosiery, chemicals, furniture, and metal products. The city is the site of several palaces and two institutions of higher learning. Founded in 1715, Indore rose to prominence under the Maratha dynasty of Holkars. In 1818 it was made a British protectorate and capital of the princely state of Indore, which merged with Madhya Bharat in 1948. IndiaWorld text, Indore homepage Rajwada Palace, Durbar in Lalbag Palace, Kanch Mandir, Sukhnivas lake at CAT, "Daly College" School

• Gwalior Pop. 690,765 (1991): Ancient fort. Huna inscription, Jain cliff carvings, Raja Mansingh's palace. Sikh temple marks Guru Hargobind's captivity. It was the capital of the Sindhias. slides from Gwalior IndiaWorld text. Fort jpg Jai Vilas Palace, largest crystal chandeliers in the world. Usha Kiran Palace hotel.

• Jabalpur, formerly Jubbulpore, Pop. (1991) 764,586 near the Narmada River. Jabalpur is a major trading and industrial center. The chief industries are textiles, telephone parts, furniture, building materials, ammunitions, and glassware. Jabalpur University (1957) is here. Osho (Rajneesh) was a professor of philosophy here. Birthplace of Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, might one day have the world's tallest building. More about Jabalpur. Bhedaghat, Marble Rocks

• Ujjain Pop. (1991) 366,787, on the Kshipra River. It is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. It is the seat of Vikram University (1957). The city was the capital of the legendary kingdom of Avanti, an Indian state described in Buddhist chronicles. In the 8th century AD it became the center of Sanskrit learning. Mahakaleshwar temple and Sandipani Ashram.

• Raipur Pop.(1991) 437,887. Founded in the 14th century by Rai Brahma Deo of the Ratanpur dynasty. Major industries are A food-processing (rice, wheat, cotton, and oilseeds) and sawmilling. It has several musical academies and Ravishankar Shukla University (1964).

Other Famous places

• Amarkantak: source of Narmada.
• Asirgarh: fort of the legendary
• Asa Ahir Badoh-Pathari: Jain temples, 9th cent
• Bawangaja: 72 ft. Jain idol
• Bastar: tribes Stories of Bastar
• Travel Bhilai: steel plant
• Bhimbaithaka: Rock Paintings, Prehistoric cave paintings
• Bagh caves: Buddhist caves like Ajanta
• Bhojpur: Raja Bhoj's unfinished temple.
• Burhanpur:Mumtaz Mahal was initially buried here
• Chacahai: 130 meter waterfall
• Chanderi: Moghul period architecture. Jain idols.
• Chitrakoot: tranquil pilgrimage center, Blind visionary
• Damoh: Khilji period fort with archaeological museum.
• Datia: 17th cent. palace of Bir Singh Deo.
• Dhar: Capital of legendary king Bhoj. Bhoj shala, afghan and Mogul buildings. Kadwaha: 11th cent. temples.
• Kanha-kisli national park: tigers, panthers, sambhar, deers, barasingha elephant bath Khajuraho: Capital of the Chandels 10-11th cent. Only site in north india where several clusters of temples still stand. Kandaria Mahadeva, panel gif, IndiaWorld text, Nagar temple style(large),
• Kandariya Mahadeo: Views, Details, incore article, webcom article, rediff article, Museums, A dream in stones
• Kundalpur: Hill-top Jain temples
• Mandu: Ancient fort. Legend of Bajbahadur and Rupamati
• Marble rocks: Near Jabalpur. Boating in moonlight.
• Muktagiri: Mountain-top Jain temples.
• Omkareshwar: Jyotirlinga on the banks of Narmada.
• Orchha: Bundela palaces and temples.
• Pachmarhi: Hill station, Ancient caves, Cool hideway .
• Panna: Historical diamond mines. Prananatha temple Maharaja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand.
• Pawaya: Ancient Padmawati. Capital of Naga kings.
• Rewa: Capital of the formal princely state.
• White tigers. Bandhavgarh Fort originated from here.
• Sagar: Lake, hilltop university.
• Sanchi: Only place in India where can walk among 2200 year old structures. Buddhist stupas, Ashoka piller, temples, museum. Flourished from the time of Ashoka to 12th cent. Earliest stupa form. Stupa 2(2nd c. BCE).Torana: worship of Dharmachakra and the Bodhi tree . gateway detail jpg. main stupa, Shalabhanjika Yakshi, more slides.
• Satna: Bharhut stupa (objects now on Calcutta Museum)
• Sidhi:Bagdara Park famous black deers, Son Ghadiyal famous big Alligators. Sidhi police Terahi:10-11th cent temples
• Vidisha: One of the best known ancient cities. 4-5th century cave carvings.

Other Information

• No. of Districts 61
• No. of Tehsils 347
• Blocks 459
• No. of Towns 465
• No. of villages 76,220
• Inhabited villages 71,526
• No. of Village Panchayats 31,135
• Janpad Panchayats 459
• District Panchayats 45
• Member of Lok Sabha 40
• Member ofRajya Sabha 16
• Members of Vidhan Sabha Legislative Assembly 320
• State Capital Bhopal
  History Festivals Awards National Parks