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About Bhopal |
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Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh combines scenic beauty, historicity and modern
urban planning. It is situated on the site of an 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded
by Raja Bhoja.
Bhopal today presents a multi-faceted profile; the old city with its teeming market
places and fine old mosques and palaces still bear 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. |
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The founder of the existing city was Afghan soldier Dost Mohammad (1708-1740). Fleeing
from Delhi in the chaotic period that followed Aurangzeb's death, Dost Mohammad
met the Gond queen Kamlapati, 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
moonlit nights, 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 a city. |
Places must see there |
Bhimbekta |
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The prehistoric rock art of Bhimbekta cave shelters-on the outskirts of Bhopal-represnts
one of the largest collections and the earliest evidence of human artistic expression.
The Bhimbetka cave settlements date back to over 1,00,000 years while the paintings
belong to the Mesolithic period(30,000 BC to 9,500 BC). Spread over an area of 1,893
hectares,the site with 5 clusteres of cave shelters,was declared a World Heritage
Site by Unesco in 2003.
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They bear a significant resemblance to similar rock art sites such as Kakadu Natioanl
Park in Austraila,bushmen's settlements in Kalahari Desert,and the Upper Paleolithic
Lascaux Cave paintings site in France.Besides Bhimbekta,rock paintings have also
been found around Bhopal in Manua Bhan Ki Tekri, Lal Ghati,Shyamla Hills,Bhadbadha
and Kerwa Dam.
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Bhojpur Temple
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Situated about 21 Km. from Bhopal,The Temple of Bhojpur has many myths associated
with it. Legend has it that the temple was constructed by Pandavas during their
exile.Archoaeologists have come up with several theories to explain the incomplete
construction. Even in its incomplete state,the temple is magnificent. This ode to
Lord Shiva was probably built by Raja Bhoj in the 11th century.It stands on a platform
106 feet long,77 feet wide and 17 feet high.A massive Shivling fashioned from a
single block of polished stone is the main attraction at this ornate temple.
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The Ling,towering at 22 feet,is placed on a massive stone pedestal and is the tallest
in the world. Numerous architectural drawings engraved on the quarry's rock
faces enabled the archeologicl survey of India(ASI) to restore the Ling to its original
glory.
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Sanchi stupa
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The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi on the outskirts of Bhopal is the oldest stone
structure in India.It was originally commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the third
century BC. Ashok Maurya(273-236 BC) was the most famous of the Buddhist rulers
of India.Some years after he began his reign,around 258 BC,he converted to Buddhism.The
Sanchi complex was declared a World Heritage Site bu Unesco in 1989.Buddhism was
flourishing in India and other parts of Asia then.The Stupa was designed as a simple
semispherical stone structure covered with bricks and over the relics og Gautham
Buddha.
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Minto Hall
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This remains one of the most stunning of 20th century buildings in Bhopal.The foundation
of the building was laid in November 12,1909,by Lord and Lady Minto to commemorate
their visit to Bhopal. Nawab Sultan jahan Begum finished constructing the Minto
Hall. In 1921.Keeping in mind the requirement for a guest house near the Raj Bhawan(then
called Lal Kothi).The architecture of the building was such that it resambled the
crown of the King George V. Abida Sultaan,once Bhopal's heirapparent,discovered
and refined the new game of rollerskates hockey on the floors of the Minto Hall.In
1946 Minto Hall became home to Hamidia College,before the institution shifted to
a new location.After the creation of Madhya Pradesh, The Vidhan Sabha of the new
state was established at Minto Hall.The Vidhan Sabha then moved to a new building
1996.
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