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History and Geography
Madhya Pradesh is the second largest Sate in India, and geographically occupies pivotal position in the country. King Ashoka first of all ruled over Ujjain. A sizeable portion of Central India was part of the Gupta Empire (300-500 A.D.). The Muslims came into Central India in the beginning of 11th century, Mahmud of Ghazni being the first of them, followed by Mohammad Gouri, 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 Marathas and the death of Madhoji Scindia in 1794, the Marathas were in power in Central India, but later on, other small states started coming into existence. These small states became the cause of perpetuation of British power in the country. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, the Gond Maharani Kamalapti and Queen Durgawati, etc., were some women rulers, whose names have left an indelible imprint on Indian history for their outstanding rule. Madhya Pradesh came into being on 1 November, 1956. It was reorganised on 1 November 2000 to create a new Chhattisgarh state. The successive state is bound in north by Uttar Pradesh, east by Chhattisgarh, south by Maharashtra, and west by Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The District Planning Committees for the district level governance have been empowered to plan and execute development works. A system of village level governance, Gram Swaraj is operative. The Gram Sabhas have been equipped with extensive executive and financial powers regarding development matters.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the mainstay of State's economy, as 74.73 per cent of the total population lives in rural areas. About 49 per cent area of the state is cultivable.
Industry and Minerals
Madhya Pradesh has entered the era of high-tech industries such as electronics, telecommunications, automobiles, etc. The state is producing optical fibre for telecommunication needs. A large number of automobile industries have been established at Pithampur near Indore. Prominent industries in the public sector in the state are Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. at Bhopal, Security Paper Mill at Hoshangabad, Bank Note Press at Dewas, Newsprint Factory at Nepanagar, and Alkaloid Factory at Neemuch.
Madhya Pradesh is a mineral rich state. It produces 21 types of minerals. Other than minerals, the State is also famous for its traditional handicrafts and handloom cloths, manufactured in Chanderi and Maheshwar.
Irrigation and Power
Madhya Pradesh is rich in low-grade coal suitable for power generation, and also has immense potential of hydro-energy. There are eight hydro-electric power stations with 747.5 MW installed capacity. A total of more than 50,000 out of 51,806 villages have been electrified. Power generation is 14,023.7 m.kwh.
The Government of M.P. has formed a joint venture (Narmada Hydro Electric Development Corporation) with National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation, a Government of India undertaking, for the execution of a 1,000 MW Indira Sagar Hydro Electric Project and 520 MW Omkareshwar Hydro-Electric Power Project.
Transport
Roads: The total length of roads in the state is 67,600 km. The length of national highways in the state is 3,700 km, while State highways extend to 7,300 km.
Railways: The main rail route linking northern India with southern India passes through Madhya Pradesh. Main junctions in the State are Bhopal, Bina, Gwalior, Indore, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Ratlam and Ujjain. The divisional railways headquarters are at Bhopal, Ratlam and Jabalpur.
Aviation: There are airports at Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore and Khajuraho.
Festivals
A number of festivals are celebrated in Madhya Pradesh. An important tribal festival is Bhagoriya, marked by traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. Shivratri is celebrated in Khajuraho, Bhojpur, Pachmarhi and Ujjain, and has its own local flavour, while Ramnavami festival at Chitrakoot and Orchha has a unique sense of devotion imbued with tradition. Festivals of Orchha, Malwa, Pachmarhi bring to the fore, repertoire of culture and art of the people. Tansen Music Festival at Gwalior; Ustad Allauddin Khan Music Festival of Maihar; Kalidas Samaroh of Ujjain, and Festival of Dances at Khajuraho are some of the well-known art festivals of Madhya Pradesh.
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Madhya Pradesh Folk Dance |
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Tourisn Centres
Perfectly preserved medieval cities, refreshing and enchanting wildlife sanctuaries, and some of the holiest and most revered pilgrim centres offer to the tourist the most fulfilling experience. Tranquil beauty of Pachmarhi, glittering splendour of marble rocks, and roaring sound of Dhuandhar Fall at Bhedaghat, Kanha National Park, with its unique Barasingha and Bandhavgarh National Park with its prehistoric caves and wildlife are some of the major attractions of the state. Gwalior, Mandu, Datia, Chanderi, Jabalpur, Orchha, Raisen, Sanchi, Vidisha, Udaygiri, Bhimbetka, Indore and Bhopal are the places well-known for their historical monuments. Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, Ujjain, Chitrakoot and Amarkantak are major centres of pilgrimages. Unique temples of Khajuraho are famous all over the world. The temples of Orchha, Bhojpur and Udaypur attract large number of tourists as well as pilgrims. Archaeological treasures are preserved in the museums at Satna, Sanchi, Vidisha, Gwalior, Indore, Mandsaur, Ujjain, Rajgarh, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa and many other places.
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