The large state of Madhya Pradesh is the geographical heartland of India. Most of the state is a high plateau and in summer it can be very hot and dry. Virtually all phases of Indian history have left their mark on Madhya Pradesh, historically known as Malwa. There are still many pre-Aryan Gond and Bhil tribal people in the state, but Madhya Pradesh is overwhelmingly Indo-Aryan with majority of the people speaking in Hindi and following Hinduism. Madhya Pradesh as its name implies, lies in the heart of India. It covers an area of 4,43,406 sq. km, making it the biggest state in the country, bordering seven other states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh consists largely of a plateau streaked with the hill ranges of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras with the Chhattisgarh plains to the east. The hills give rise to the main river systems - the Narmada and the Tapti, running from east to west, and the Chambal, Sone, Betwa, Mahanadi, and the Indravati west to east. Intersected by these meandering rivers and dotted with hills and lakes, the state has a varied natural setting of great beauty. Madhya Pradesh, as the Modern state, came into being in 1956, its cultural heritage is ancient and chequered.
History :
One of the largest states of India, Madhya Pradesh in central India can boast of some glorious associations with well known martyrs of history. Emperor Ashoka began his career from Ujjain. It also formed part of Mughal empire with the rise of Maratha's. Till the death of Madhoji Scindia in 1794, Marathas ruled supreme in Central India, but after that independent & smaller states came into being. Widely distributed rock shelter paintings remind one of the hoary past that this state experienced. Major portion of Central India formed part of the Gupta Empire (300-550 AD). In the first half of the seventh century it was part of domains of famous emperor Harsha. The close of tenth century was a period of confusion. In the early eleventh century the muslims entered central India, First Mahmud of Ghazni & then Mohammad Gori who incorporated certain parts with Sultanate of Delhi. The disintegrated smaller states paved way for British suzerainty. Some great women rulers like Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, Gond queen Rani Kamla devi & Rani Durgawati have carved a nick for them in history. Madhya Pradesh in its present form was create d in 1956 out of former states of Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, Bhopal and fourteen (Mahakoshal) districts of old Madhya Pradesh.
Cities of Madhya Pradesh
Gwalior,
Indore,
Bhopal,
Jhansi, Jabalpur, Raipur, Ujjain, Mandu, Orcha, Sanchi more...
Tourist Attraction of Madhya Pradesh :-
Khajuraho
After the Taj it is the most frequently visited monument in India. Khajuraho is a unique example of Indo-Aryan architecture. The Chandela rulers between 950-1050 built these temples. There were 85 temples, which were built, and only 22 of them survive today. Main places to visit are :-
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Lakshmana Temple, Devi Jagdamba, Vishvanath and Nandi .
Gwalior
The glorious Gwalior is dotted with places or tourist interest in and around it. There are the numerable historical monuments and educational institutes those Gwalior boats of. . Main places to visit are :-
Gwalior Fort, Gujari Mahal , Man Mandir.
Indore
Chief attraction is the Kanch Mandir or Glass Temple of the Digamber Jains the walls, floor and ceiling of which are lavishly inlaid with glass and mother of pearl. Palaces and cenotaphs of the former rulers are other attractions.
