Bhopal
About the city
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, situated around two artificial lakes amidst picturesque settings is also known as the city of lakes. Bhopal was built on the site of an 11th century city, 'Bhojapal', founded by the legendary king, Raja Bhoja. The existing city was developed by Dost Mohammed (1708-1740) one of Emperor Aurangazeb's Afghan governors. His progeny, including efficient women rulers ruled Bhopal until 1947 when the state finally joined the Indian Union. The old city with its crowded market places, fine old mosques and palaces intermingles with the new city with the broad avenues, high rise offices and exquisitely laid out parks and gardens. The city is famous for silver jewellery, exquisitely fashioned beadwork, embroidered and sequined velvet fashioned purses and cushions.Capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is known for its grand mosques, bustling marketplaces and art and culture centres. Of course, Bhopal's most popular element remains the great Sanchi Stupa, which is a UNESCO declared heritage structure and is one of the most impressive Buddhist structures in Asia. True, Bhopal is almost devoid of the typical touristy crowd that throngs most other cities. But its architecturally exceptional Taj-ul-Masjid, the Lakshmi Narayana Temple and the Shaukat Mahal, coupled with the wonders that the ancient caves of Bhimbhetka offer, would definitely leave you looking for more.
Beautiful Bhopal, sprawls picturesquely around two artificial lakes on gently rolling hills. The city Bhojapal was named after its founder Raja Bhoja, the fmous 10th century ruler of Parmer dynasty, who is believed to have built a dam (pal) across the Narmada River. The glorious city was destroyed in 15th century by Sultan Hoshang shah of Malwa and the present city was founded by Dost Mohammad Khan, one of Aurangzeb's Afghan governors who left the Mughal empire after Aurangzeb's death and established his own dynasty- the Nawabs of Bhopal. Today, the city presents a multi-facted profile, the old city with its teeming market places, fine old mosques and palaces which bear the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers and the new beautifully planned city with wide avenues, parks and gardens, government buildings and residential areas which are functional, practical and aesthetic. Bhopal is also a perfect base to visit sanchi, Bhimbetka and Bhojpur.