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Bhopal is a city in central India, and is the capital of the Indian state of
Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal (2001 population 1,482,718) is the second
largest city in Madhya Pradesh, and is also referred to as the "City of Lakes"--
dotted with several man-made and natural lakes. The city is
believed to have been established by the Parmara King Boj, and was originally
known as Bhojpal. The present-day Bhopal was laid out by
Dost Mohammad Khan after the death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the year
1707. He brought a great deal of Islamic influence on Bhopal's
culture and much of its architecture is built in this style. In
the reign of the Begum family, the city received many innovations such as its
waterworks, a postal system and a necessary railway system. Many
monuments in the city commemorate the family for its contributions.
India achieved independence in August of 1947, and Bhopal was later named
the capital of its region-- at this time the population rose rapidly.
Just north of the upper limit of the Vindhya mountain ranges,
Bhopal is situated on the beautiful Malwa plateau. Offered in a
wide variety, any visitor to Bhopal needs to try a taste of Paan-- a
preparation with a betel leaf topped with a variety of seasoning.
Bhopali people treat the preparation of this meal as a science and an
art, and its traditions have been passed down through generations.
Bharat Bhavan is a major cultural centre in the city, and one of
the most important cultural centers in all of India. The district
boasts an art gallery, and open-air amphitheatre and two other theatres, and a
tribal museum. Other popular nearby spots are Bhojpur-- famous for
its Jain shrines and a beautiful temple for Shiva, and Sanchi-- known for its
ancient Buddha Stupas. Visit the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, now a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a place of great archaeological interest.
These Rock Shelters show evidence of human life in the region dating back
approximately 9,000 years. The rock paintings depict the lives of
the people who once lived inside them, such as religious rites, dancing,
drinking, childbirth and depictions of the environment they lived in.
There are dozens of interesting sites to see in Bhopal, and definitely
enough to keep even the most-cultured traveler guessing!
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