Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India, often referred to by the epithet "the Heart of India" because of its central location on the Indian subcontinent. The state is the second largest in India by area and shares borders with Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Its capital is Bhopal, while Indore is the largest city and principal commercial centre.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Region | Central India |
| Capital | Bhopal |
| Largest city | Indore |
| Statehood | 1 November 1956 |
| Reorganisation | 1 November 2000 (creation of Chhattisgarh) |
| Official language | Hindi |
| High Court | Madhya Pradesh High Court, Jabalpur |
| Legislature | Unicameral (Vidhan Sabha) |
Geography
Madhya Pradesh lies on the Deccan plateau and the Malwa plateau, with the Vindhya and Satpura ranges traversing the state. Major rivers originating or flowing through the state include the Narmada, Tapti, Chambal, Betwa, Son and Mahanadi. The Narmada valley separates the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and is one of the principal physiographic features of the state. The state has a tropical climate with a distinct monsoon season.
Forested areas cover a substantial share of Madhya Pradesh, and it is known for a network of national parks and tiger reserves, including Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura and Panna.
History
The region that constitutes present-day Madhya Pradesh has been inhabited since prehistoric times; the rock shelters of Bhimbetka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contain paintings dated to the Mesolithic period. The area formed parts of the Mauryan, Gupta, Paramara, Chandela, Mughal, Maratha and Holkar polities at various points in history. The temples of Khajuraho, built largely under the Chandela dynasty between the 9th and 12th centuries, are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as is the Buddhist monument complex at Sanchi associated with the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.
The modern state was formed on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, by merging the former states of Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh and Bhopal with the Hindi-speaking districts of the earlier Madhya Pradesh (formerly Central Provinces and Berar). On 1 November 2000, the south-eastern districts of the state were separated to form the new state of Chhattisgarh.
Government and administration
Madhya Pradesh has a unicameral legislature, the Vidhan Sabha. The Governor is the constitutional head of the state, while executive authority rests with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. The state is administratively divided into divisions and districts, each headed by a divisional commissioner and a district collector respectively. The Madhya Pradesh High Court is seated at Jabalpur with benches at Indore and Gwalior.
Economy
Agriculture remains a major contributor to the state's economy, with crops such as wheat, soybean, pulses, paddy, sugarcane and oilseeds. Madhya Pradesh is among the largest producers of soybean in India. The state has significant mineral resources, including diamonds at Panna, coal in the Singrauli belt, limestone, copper and manganese. Industrial activity is concentrated around Indore, Bhopal, Pithampur, Dewas, Mandideep and the Malanpur–Gwalior region. Indore hosts the headquarters of several institutions and is recognised as a major educational and commercial hub.
Education
Madhya Pradesh hosts a number of universities and institutes of higher education. Notable institutions include the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indian Institute of Management Indore, AIIMS Bhopal, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology in Bhopal, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore and Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, the state technical university at Bhopal. Indore in particular is home to a cluster of professional, engineering, medical and pharmaceutical colleges, including the Acropolis Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research.
Culture and tourism
Madhya Pradesh has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, and the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka. Other prominent heritage and pilgrimage sites include the temples of Ujjain (one of the four cities that host the Kumbh Mela, locally known as Simhastha), Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar (Jyotirlingas on the Narmada and at Ujjain respectively), Maheshwar, Mandu, Orchha, Gwalior Fort and Chitrakoot. The state's classical and folk traditions include the Gwalior gharana of Hindustani music, and folk forms such as Matki, Phulpati and Gangaur dances.
Transport
The state is served by an extensive road and rail network. National highways crossing Madhya Pradesh connect it to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Major railway junctions include Bhopal, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Bina, Ratlam and Gwalior. Civil airports operate at Bhopal (Raja Bhoj Airport), Indore (Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport), Jabalpur, Gwalior and Khajuraho.