Central India

Madhya Pradesh  *

 

 

    Madhya Pradesh can justifiably claim to be the heart of India. It is situated between the twin mountain ranges the Satpuras and the Vindhyas. The major rivers irrigating the land are Narmada, Mahanadi, Chambal, Betwa, Tapti and Indravati. It also has the distinction of being the largest state of the union. It has the largest population of scheduled tribes compared to the other states, and a high proportion of scheduled castes. Together they add up to a third of the state’s population and are predominant in 23 districts. The major tribes of Madhya Pradesh are Bhils, Gonds, Oraons and Kols.

 

    Eighty per cent of the population lives in villages and is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. A large number of agro-based industries have come up in recent years.

 

    The state is very rich in natural resources like iron one, manganese, coal, limestone, and tin. There is an integrated steel plant at Bhilai and a Heavy Electricals factory at Bhopal that makes highly sophisticated equipment, required for generation, transmission and utilization of electric power. Pitampur, near Indore is the largest industrial estate in Asia and is known as the Detroit of India, as many leading automobile manufacturers have their plants here. Nepanagar has a newsprint mill and Dewas has a security press besides many diversified industrial units.

There is an ordinance factory at Jabalpur and a cement factory in Neemuch.

 

    Among the places of tourist interest, Khajuraho, once the capital of the Chandel rulers has been declared a heritage side. Set amidst sprawling fields is a cluster of exquisitely carved temples with their walls adorned with erotic sculpture of sublime beauty. Sanchi near Bhopal has an impressive Stupa dating back to the first century before the birth of Christ. The structure with intricately crafted gateways and railings surrounding the sacred dome is a priceless specimen of ancient Indian architecture marking the transition from wood to stone. Orcha is a small tranquil town on the bank of Betwa that has some very well preserved temples and palaces – small in size but matchless in elegance. Jabalpur offers the pristine beauty of marocks washed smooth by the waters of the Narmada. Kanha and Bandhavgarh are wild life reserves of remarkable enchantment. Madhya Pradesh has one sixth of the world’s tiger population and has been declared a tiger state. Bhimbetaka near Bhopal is an unusual art gallery that has several caves with their walls decorated with pre-historic paintings. The Mahkal temple at Ujjain is one of the most popular Shiva shrines in India, and the festival Simhastha held once in 12 years attracts a large crowds of pilgrims.