Home > State Information > Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, Indian State

Madhya Pradesh is situated in the heart of India and hence the name Madhya Pradesh. The meandering valleys, lush green forests, hills and ravines add to the beauty of the state. The natural beauty of the place attracts anyone and everyone. It is bordered by the states of Rajsthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Its capital is Bhopal. It is the source of some of the most important rivers of India, including the Narmada, the tapi, the Mahanadi and the Waiganga.

History of Madhya Pradesh
The Malwa or Avanti region was inside the state of Madhya Pradesh. The region was dominated by the predecessors of the Bhils, Gonds and other tribes. They had to face attacks of the Aryans. The Aryans forced them out of the region into the south of the Vindhyas. The Malwa region excelled in art and architecture during the period of Buddhism when this area witnessed the rule of Mauryans. From 78 AD to 388 AD Vikramaditya ruled this region. Chandragupta II, who ruled from 388 to 401AD, followed him.

After the decline of the Guptas, Malwa was under King Bhoja II of the Paramaras. The rivalry between the tribes and the Rajputs made it easy for the Muslims to establish their rule. From 1435-1459, the Khiljis under Mahmud Khilji ruled the region. The assault of Babar added fuel to fire as it paved the way for establishment of a strong Muslim rule from 1526 to 1530. The Sur dynasty of Sher Shah also had its influence on it. In 1562 Akbar made it a part of the Mughal Empire and it remained so until the 18th century. After the decline of the Mughals, the tribals (Gonds) gained control of Malwa. In 1690, the Marathas followed the Mughals. Though the area was under British jurisdiction, the region was administered by the Marathas who later yielded it to the British by 1817. After Independence, Malwa was joined with the regions of Indore and Bhopal. On November 1, 1956 it was organized into Madhya Pradesh. A part of Madhya Pradesh has been separated and formed into a new state Chattisgarh from November 1, 2000.

Geography of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is situated in the center of India and is surrounded on the south by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, in the north by Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, in the east by Bihar and Orissa and on the west by Gujarat. The main rivers are Chambal, Betwa, Sindh, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi and Indravati. Forests cover one by third of the state. The inhabitants of this plateau are mostly agriculturists. The climate is extreme in the north of and is cool and breezy in the central parts and humid in the eastern and southern regions of Madhya Pradesh.

Transport of Madhya Pradesh
 Madhya Pradesh is well connected by the medium of air, bus and rail. The common medium of transport used by the people are trains and buses. Madhya Pradesh is connected by road to the adjacent states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the North, Gujarat in the West, Maharashtra in the South, Chhatisgarh in Southeast and Jarkhand in the East. Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation provides transit services to the passengers. It runs regular services,
intercity services and interstate services connecting to the neighboring states.