Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, historicity and modern urban planning. It is situated on the site of a 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja.

The founder of the existing city was however an Afghan soldier of fortune, Dost Mohammed. Fleeing from Delhi in the chaotic period that followed Aurangazeb's death, Dost Mohammed encountered the beautiful Gond queen Kamalapati, who sort his aid after the murder of her consort.

A charming legend relates how the queen would recline in 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.

Bhopal today presents a multi-faceted profile; the old city with its teeming market places and fine old mosques and palaces still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers, among them the succession of powerful Begums who ruled Bhopal from !819 to 1926.

Equally impressive is the new city with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices.

Places to See

Vidisha
Vidisha or Besnagar as it is called in the pali sculptures, once the prosperous capital of the western dominions of the Sungas, contains some remarkable antiquites that throw light on the considerable architectural development of the period.

Udaygiri Caves
Udaygiri Caves : 13 km from Sanchi and 4 km from Vidisha are a group of rock- cut cave sanctuaries, carved into a sandstone hill that stands, sentinel like, on the horizon.

Gyraspur
41 km north-east of Sanchi, Gyraspur was a place of considerable importance in the medieval period. Here in the ruins called Athakhambe( Eight Pillars ) and Chaukamble ( Four Pillars) are what remains of the columned halls of two temples belonging to the 9th and 10th centuries AD.

Udaypur
90 km from Bhopal via Vidisha and Ganj Basoda. The colossal Neelkanthesh wara temple here is an outstanding example of Parmara art and architecture of the 11th centure AD.