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Madhya Pradesh: BHOPAL - the city of lakes
A garden in Bhopal
History of Bhopal
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, old historic city, and modern urban planning. It is situated on the 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja (king) Bhoja but the present city was established by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed (1707-1740). Fleeing from Delhi in the chaotic period that followed Aurangzeb's death, Dost Mohammed encountered the beautiful queen Kamalapati, who sought his aid after the murder of her consort.
A charming legend relates how the queen would recline in a lotus barge that, on moonlights, would drift across the lake. The two lakes of Bhopal still dominate the city, and are indeed its nucleus. Bordered along their shores stand silent sentinels that testify to the growth of the city. Bhopal today presents a multi-faceted profile; the old city with its marketplaces and fine old mosques and palaces still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers, among them the succession of powerful Begums who ruled Bhopal from 1819 to 1926. Equally impressive is the new city with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices.
Access to Bhopal
- Air
Regular flights connect Bhopal with Delhi, Gwalior, Indore, and Bombay
- Rail
Bhopal is on the Delhi-Madras main line. Major trains going from Bombay to Delhi via Itarsi and Jhansi also pass through Bhopal
- Road
Regular bus service connect Bhopal with Indore (186km), Mandu (285km), Ujjain (188km), Khajuraho (383km), Panchmarhi (195km), Gwalior (423km), Sanchi (46km), Jabalpur (295km), and Shivpuri (311km).
Accommodation
- Hotel Palash, near 45 Bungalows, Bhopal. Telephone: (0755) 553006,553066, 553076.
- Hotel Panchanan, New Market, Bhopal. Telephone: (0755) 551647
Sight Seeing
Taj-ul-Masajid: - Said to be the largest mosque in the country, the building of this towering edifice was begun by Shah Jehan Begum (1868-1901) but was incomplete on her death and was completed only after 1971. The great queen, Bhopal's eighth ruler, left many monuments and to her goes the credit for postal system, railways, and waterworks in the city. The most impressive features of the mosque are its main hall with inter-arched roof, broad facade, spacious courtyard, and smooth marble flooring. A three day Ijtima congregation held here annually draws people from all over the country.
Jama Masjid: - this was built in 1837 by Kudsia Begum and has gold spikes in the minarets of this beautiful mosque. It is believed that about a centuries earlier, a queen of the grandson of Raja Bhoja (1059-1080) founded a temple here known as Sabha Mandala.
Moti Masjid: - architecturally akin to Jama Masjid in Delhi, it was built in 1860 by the daughter of Kudsia Begum (Sikandar Jehan).
Shaukat Mahal & 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. It was designed by a Frenchman, said to be a descendant of an offshoot of the Bourbon kings of France. Nearby is the elegant, once-opulent Sadar Manzil, Hall of public audience of the former rulers of Bhopal.
Bharat Bhawan: - one of the most unique national institutes in India, Bharat Bhawan is a centre for the performing and visual arts. Designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa, its contours merge in exquisite harmony with the landscape creating a visual impact of spacious and national elegance. The centre houses a museum of the arts, an art gallery, aworkshop for fine arts, a reportory theatre, indoor and outdoor auditoria, rehersal room, and libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk music.
Tribal Habitat: - an open-air exhibition of tribal house types located on Shamla Hills, the Tribal Habitat is a presentation of actual size dwellings typical of contemprary tribal cultures in various states of India. The exhibition highlights the architectural features and has elaborately displayed interiors. The surroundings have been reconstructed to match some of the interesting environmental features of tribal villages. The habitat is open every day except on Mondays and national holidays from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Archaeological Museum: - a fine collection of sculptures from various parts of Madhya Pradesh are displayed here. Some of the highlights of the collection are :- paintings of various schools, copies of paintings from Bagh Caves near Mandu, and the statues of Lakshmi and Buddha.
Chowk: - in the heart of old city, the chowk is lined with old mosques and havelis, reminders of bygone princely life-styles. The shops in its narrow alleyways are treasure of traditional Bhopali craft like silver jewelery, fashioned beadwork, embroideredand sequined velvet purses and cushions.
sunset on Bhopal lake
Upper and Lower Lakes: - the Upper lake is divided from the Lower by an overbridge and is six sq. km. in area. Madhya Pradesh Tourism'a Yacht Club on the two lakes provide facilities for exciting trips by sail, paddle, and motor-boats.
Other Places: - Gandhi Bhawan (mahatma' museum), Van Vihar (safari- parkon a hill adjacent to Upper lake in natural surroundings), and Aquarium (collection of various species of fish)>
gardens surrounding the palace at Islamnagar
Excursions: - Islamnagar - 11km away on Bhopal-Berasia Road has synthesis of Hindu and Islamic decorative art developed by Afghan ruler Dost Mahammed Khan. Sanchi (46 km )
- a masterpiece of Buddhist art, Bhimbetka - an archaeological treasure, andBhojpur (28 km) from Bhopal is famous for its Shiva temple and cyclopean dam.
Tourist Office: - Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Gangotri, 4th floor, T.T. Nagar, Bhopal. Telephone: (0755) 554340-43, 462 003 Fax: 0755-552384
